Wonderful Christmastime
Encyclopedia
"Wonderful Christmastime" is a 1979 Christmas song
by Paul McCartney
. It enjoys significant Christmas time popularity around the world. The notable synthesiser riff was played on a Sequential Circuits Prophet-5. The song was later added as a bonus track on the CD reissue of Wings
' Back to the Egg
. Although the song did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100
in the United States, it reached #6 in the United Kingdom Singles Chart
. The video was filmed at the Fountain Inn
in Ashurst, West Sussex
.
McCartney recorded the song entirely on his own during the sessions for his solo project McCartney II
. Although the members of Wings are not on the recording, they do appear in the video.
Fellow ex-Beatles John Lennon
and George Harrison
had already released festive singles, and Ringo Starr
made a Christmas album
in 1999. Of all of the former Beatle seasonal offerings, Lennon's "Happy Xmas (War is Over)
" and McCartney's "Wonderful Christmastime" have become two of a large number of popular Christmas song
s played year after year. "Wonderful Christmastime" can be heard in the 1998 animated film Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie
during Santa's
takeoff on Christmas Day. Wings performed the song during their 1979 tour of the UK
, and McCartney included the song as an encore during his Good Evening Europe tour.
McCartney has since gone on to state that he is now embarrassed about this record, yet it continues to receive substantial airplay every year. Because he wrote, published, and played all instruments on this song, his royalties add up. Including royalties from cover versions, it is estimated that Paul McCartney makes $400,000 per year from this song, which puts its cumulative earnings for this song at near $15 million.
Christmas music
Christmas music comprises a variety of genres of music normally performed or heard around the Christmas season, which tends to begin in the months leading up the actual holiday and end in the weeks shortly thereafter.-Early:...
by Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney
Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
. It enjoys significant Christmas time popularity around the world. The notable synthesiser riff was played on a Sequential Circuits Prophet-5. The song was later added as a bonus track on the CD reissue of Wings
Wings (band)
Wings were a British-American rock group formed in 1971 by Paul McCartney, Denny Laine and Linda McCartney that remained active until 1981....
' Back to the Egg
Back to the Egg
Back to the Egg is the seventh and final studio album by Wings, released in 1979. It is also Wings' first album for Columbia Records after leaving long-time United States distributor Capitol Records in 1978...
. Although the song did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
in the United States, it reached #6 in the United Kingdom Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. The video was filmed at the Fountain Inn
Fountain Inn, Ashurst
The Fountain Inn is a 16th-century public house in the village of Ashurst, in the Horsham district of West Sussex, England. After a period as a farmhouse, it was converted into the village inn and was extended and given a Georgian façade in the 18th century...
in Ashurst, West Sussex
Ashurst, West Sussex
Ashurst is a village and civil parish in the Horsham District of West Sussex, England, about west of Henfield, and south of Horsham on the B2135 road. The village is about west of the River Adur. There is a 12-century parish church dedicated to St James, a C of E primary school and a pub, the...
.
McCartney recorded the song entirely on his own during the sessions for his solo project McCartney II
McCartney II
McCartney II is the third album by Paul McCartney, and the first since the formation of Wings in 1971. It was released in 1980, a year before the band's dissolution and while their future lay in limbo...
. Although the members of Wings are not on the recording, they do appear in the video.
Fellow ex-Beatles John Lennon
John Lennon
John Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music...
and George Harrison
George Harrison
George Harrison, MBE was an English musician, guitarist, singer-songwriter, actor and film producer who achieved international fame as lead guitarist of The Beatles. Often referred to as "the quiet Beatle", Harrison became over time an admirer of Indian mysticism, and introduced it to the other...
had already released festive singles, and Ringo Starr
Ringo Starr
Richard Starkey, MBE better known by his stage name Ringo Starr, is an English musician and actor who gained worldwide fame as the drummer for The Beatles. When the band formed in 1960, Starr was a member of another Liverpool band, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. He became The Beatles' drummer in...
made a Christmas album
I Wanna Be Santa Claus
I Wanna Be Santa Claus is a Christmas album by Ringo Starr, issued in 1999. Not only is it Starr's first long-play Christmas release, it is the first by an ex-Beatle, although John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison had each released a seasonal single in the 1970s.Recorded throughout 1999...
in 1999. Of all of the former Beatle seasonal offerings, Lennon's "Happy Xmas (War is Over)
Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
"Happy Xmas " is a song written by John Lennon and Yoko Ono and released in 1971 as a single by John & Yoko/Plastic Ono Band with the Harlem Community Choir....
" and McCartney's "Wonderful Christmastime" have become two of a large number of popular Christmas song
Christmas music
Christmas music comprises a variety of genres of music normally performed or heard around the Christmas season, which tends to begin in the months leading up the actual holiday and end in the weeks shortly thereafter.-Early:...
s played year after year. "Wonderful Christmastime" can be heard in the 1998 animated film Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie is a 1998 animated film based on the film of the same name by Robert May. It was the first theatrical feature from GoodTimes Entertainment, long known as a home video company. The film's animation was produced by Yowza! Animation, Wang Film Productions &...
during Santa's
Santa Claus
Santa Claus is a folklore figure in various cultures who distributes gifts to children, normally on Christmas Eve. Each name is a variation of Saint Nicholas, but refers to Santa Claus...
takeoff on Christmas Day. Wings performed the song during their 1979 tour of the UK
Wings UK Tour 1979
On 23 November 1979, Paul McCartney's band Wings began a 19-date concert tour of the United Kingdom to promote their newest album, Back to the Egg....
, and McCartney included the song as an encore during his Good Evening Europe tour.
McCartney has since gone on to state that he is now embarrassed about this record, yet it continues to receive substantial airplay every year. Because he wrote, published, and played all instruments on this song, his royalties add up. Including royalties from cover versions, it is estimated that Paul McCartney makes $400,000 per year from this song, which puts its cumulative earnings for this song at near $15 million.
Cover versions
- Martin SheenMartin SheenRamón Gerardo Antonio Estévez , better known by his stage name Martin Sheen, is an American film actor best known for his performances in the films Badlands and Apocalypse Now , and in the television series The West Wing from 1999 to 2006.He is considered one of the best actors never to be...
, John SpencerJohn Spencer (actor)John Spencer was an American film and television actor. He was most widely known for playing White House Chief of Staff Leo McGarry on the NBC political drama series The West Wing, which earned him an Emmy Award in 2002.-Early life:Spencer was born as John Speshock, Jr. in New York City, and...
, and Stockard ChanningStockard ChanningStockard Channing is an American stage, film and television actress. She is known for her portrayal of First Lady Abbey Bartlet in the NBC television series The West Wing; for playing Betty Rizzo in the film Grease; and for her role as Ouisa Kittredge in the play Six Degrees of Separation and its...
covered the song on the NBC Celebrity Christmas album in 2000. - Barenaked LadiesBarenaked LadiesBarenaked Ladies is a Canadian alternative rock band. The band is currently composed of Jim Creeggan, Kevin Hearn, Ed Robertson, and Tyler Stewart. Barenaked Ladies formed in 1988 in Scarborough, Ontario, then a suburban municipality outside the City of Toronto...
has a short synthesised instrumental cover on their 2004 album Barenaked for the HolidaysBarenaked for the HolidaysBarenaked for the Holidays is a full-length holiday-themed album released by Canadian band Barenaked Ladies on October 5, 2004. The album includes Christmas and Hanukkah songs as well as "Auld Lang Syne", which is traditionally sung on New Year's Eve. There are also several songs that are simply...
. - De La SoulDe La SoulDe La Soul is an American hip hop trio formed in 1987 on Long Island, New York. The band is best known for their eclectic sampling, quirky lyrics, and their contributions to the evolution of the jazz rap and alternative hip hop subgenres...
sampled "Wonderful Christmastime" on the track "Simply" from their album AOI: BionixAOI: BionixAOI: Bionix is De La Soul's sixth full-length album, released in 2001. The album was the second in a planned three-disc installment, which was originally intended to be a three-disc album.- Overview :...
. - Jump5Jump5- History :Siblings Brandon and Brittany Hargest had competed on the same dance team as Lesley Moore, and were familiar with Chris Fedun and Libby Hodges through the competitive dance circuit. The mother of Hodges held an open casting call to find additional members to form a new pop group with her...
covered and remixed the song for their Christmas album All The Joy In The World. - EarthsuitEarthsuitEarthsuit was a short-lived New Orleans-based Christian rock band formed in 1995. The band consisted of guitarist Dave Rumsey, keyboardist/vocalist Paul Meany, bassist Roy Mitchell, drummer David "Hutch" Hutchison, and vocalist Adam LaClave...
covered the song for Happy Christmas Vol. 3Happy Christmas Vol. 3Happy Christmas Vol. 3 is a 2000 holiday music compilation album. It was released by BEC Records and features artists from a variety of styles who were signed to BEC's parent, Tooth & Nail Records. The album is the third in a series of five, being preceded by Happy Christmas in 1998 and Happy...
. - Hilary DuffHilary DuffHilary Erhard Duff is an American actress, singer-songwriter, entrepreneur, and author. After working in local theater plays and television commercials in her childhood, she achieved fame playing the title role in the Disney Channel television series Lizzie McGuire. She also reprised her role in...
did a cover of this song on her Christmas album Santa Claus LaneSanta Claus LaneSanta Claus Lane is the debut studio album by American recording artist Hilary Duff. The album was released on October 15, 2002 by Buena Vista Records. After beginning an acting career, Duff became interested in a singing career in 2001. She appeared on various soundtracks the following year,...
. - Tom McraeTom McRaeTom McRae is an English singer-songwriter.-Career:The son of two Church of England vicars, McRae sang in the church choir and as a teen experimented with his mother's guitar...
contributed a cover of this song on a various artists album called Maybe This Christmas Tree. - Jars of ClayJars of ClayJars of Clay is a Christian rock band from Nashville, Tennessee. They met at Greenville College in Greenville, Illinois.Jars of Clay consists of Dan Haseltine on vocals, Charlie Lowell on piano and keyboards, Stephen Mason on lead guitars and Matthew Odmark on rhythm guitars...
recorded a cover on their 2007 release, Christmas Songs. - Demi LovatoDemi Lovato"She’s got the range, the full emotional spectrum, incredible control… Vocally, she’s the best thing Disney’s had since Christina Aguilera."—Producer Toby Gad on Demi Lovato's vocals...
did a cover on the 2008 All Wrapped UpAll Wrapped UpAll Wrapped Up is a Christmas themed CD released by musical artists signed to Hollywood Records singing their own versions of holiday songs. It was released on November 4, 2008, available exclusively at Target stores nationwide.-Track listing:...
! album. - Irene GrandiIrene Grandi-Biography:Irene Grandi was born in Florence.She debuted in the Sanremo Music Festival in the category New Proposed with "Fuori", in 1994, which was later won by Andrea Bocelli, who was also debuting the same year....
covered the song for her 2008 Christmas album Canzoni per Natale. - Cale ParksCale ParksMichael Cale Parks, otherwise known as Cale Parks, is best known for his current role as the multi-faceted drummer, percussionist, pianist and vibraphonist of the indie band Aloha on Polyvinyl Records....
covered the song for the compilation Suburban Sprawl Holiday Sampler 2008. - Bonnie PinkBonnie Pink, known by her stage name , is a Japanese singer-songwriter and musician. She lived in New York during 1998 and speaks English . She writes and composes all her songs, and plays guitar and piano...
covered the song on her mini-album Chain, released in 2008. - Peter SerafinowiczPeter SerafinowiczPeter Szymon Serafinowicz is an English actor, comedian, writer, composer, voice artist and occasional director.-Early life:Serafinowicz was born in Liverpool, England. He attended Our Lady of the Assumption Roman Catholic Primary School and St Francis Xavier Secondary School...
did a parody of it called "Sexual Christmas Time" in episode 6 of The Peter Serafinowicz ShowThe Peter Serafinowicz ShowThe Peter Serafinowicz Show was a BBC Two comedy sketch show written by and starring Peter Serafinowicz. The first series started on the 4 October 2007 at 21:30 as part of the newly launched "Thursdays Are Funny" brand on BBC2 and Thursdays on ABC2...
. - Family Force 5Family Force 5Family Force 5 is a Christian crunk rock band from Atlanta, Georgia. They consist of Solomon "Soul Glow Activatur" Olds, Jacob "Crouton" Olds, Joshua "Fatty" Olds, Nathan "Nadaddy" Currin, and Derek "Chap Stique" Mount...
covered the song on their 2009 Christmas album Family Force 5 Christmas PageantFamily Force 5 Christmas PageantFamily Force 5's Christmas Pageant is the first Christmas album by the Christian crunk rock band Family Force 5. It was released on October 6, 2009...
. - OverboardOverboard (a cappella)Overboard is a male a cappella group based in Boston, MA. The group's repertoire consists of a cappella covers of popular contemporary pop/rock artists, such as Train, The Script, and Rascal Flatts, and of a cappella standards, such as "Blue Moon", "In the Still of the Night" and "Stand by Me".-...
covered the song in their 2008 holiday album, Tidings. - BeatallicaBeatallicaBeatallica is a mash-up band that plays music made from combinations of songs of The Beatles and Metallica. A Beatallica song is typically a blend of a Beatles song and a Metallica song with a related title Beatallica is a mash-up band that plays music made from combinations of songs of The Beatles...
covered the song on their 2009 album Winter PlunderbandWinter PlunderbandWinter Plunderband, Beatallica's third EP, was released on November 17, 2009. It is Beatallica's first ever Holiday Season release. The album is only available as a CD at Beatallica live shows and can also be purchased as a Digital Download which includes a Digital Booklet with artwork, lyrics ...
. - Amy GrantAmy GrantAmy Lee Grant is an American singer-songwriter, musician, author, media personality and actress, best known for her Christian music. She has been referred to as "The Queen of Christian Pop"...
covered the song for her primetime Christmas special entitled 'Amy Grant: A Christmas to Remember'A Christmas to Remember-Charts:Album – Billboard -End of year charts:...
, which aired on 15 December 1999 on CBSCBSCBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
. - Rahsaan PattersonRahsaan PattersonRahsaan Patterson is an American singer and actor, best known for portraying "The Kid" on the popular 1980s television show Kids Incorporated. He is a native of The Bronx, New York. He was named after '60s jazz saxophonist Rahsaan Roland Kirk...
covered this song on his 2008 album The Ultimate Gift. - HelixHelix (band)Helix are a Canadian hard rock/heavy metal band. They formed in 1974, and are best known for their 1984 single "Rock You". The original lineup was formed by drummer Bruce Arnold, and consisted of lead vocalist Brian Vollmer, guitarists Ron Watson and Rick "Minstrel" Trembley, keyboardist Don...
covered the song on their 2008 Christmas album A Heavy Mental Christmas. - The Venture Bros.The Venture Bros.The Venture Bros. is an American animated television series that premiered on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim on February 16, 2003. The series mixes action and comedy together while it chronicles the adventures of the Venture family: well-meaning but incompetent teenagers Hank and Dean Venture; their...
co-creators Jackson Publick and Doc HammerDoc HammerEric A. "Doc" Hammer is an American musician, actor, film and television writer, voice actor, and painter. He performed in the gothic rock bands Requiem in White from 1985 to 1995 and Mors Syphilitica from 1995 to 2002, both with his then-wife Lisa Hammer...
released a version of the song, performed as the characters 21 and 24, for the website Quick Stop EntertainmentQuick Stop EntertainmentFRED Entertainment is a pop-culture website. The site was originally founded as Movie Poop Shoot by director Kevin Smith to promote the movie Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. The site served as the launching pad for SModcast, Smith's popular comedy podcast...
as part of the 2008 holiday season. - Kelly RowlandKelly RowlandKelendria Trene "Kelly" Rowland is an American singer, songwriter, actress, dancer, and television personality. She rose to fame as one of the founding members of the American girl group Destiny's Child...
recorded a version of the song for the 2010 release Now That's What I Call Christmas! 4Now That's What I Call Christmas! 4Now That's What I Call Christmas! 4 is a 2010 double album from the Now That's What I Call Music! series in the United States. It was released on October 12, 2010, and peaked at No...
. - The Ready SetThe Ready SetThe Ready Set was formed on November 17, 2007. Jordan Witzigreuter is the vocalist and sole member of the act. Witzigreuter generally writes and records on his own, using a backup band when on tour...
released a version in 2010 on his holiday EP Regifted. - ChicagoChicago (band)Chicago is an American rock band formed in 1967 in Chicago, Illinois. The self-described "rock and roll band with horns" began as a politically charged, sometimes experimental, rock band and later moved to a predominantly softer sound, becoming famous for producing a number of hit ballads. They had...
featured Dolly PartonDolly PartonDolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer-songwriter, author, multi-instrumentalist, actress and philanthropist, best known for her work in country music. Dolly Parton has appeared in movies like 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias and Straight Talk...
on their own version on Chicago XXXIII: O Christmas ThreeChicago XXXIII: O Christmas ThreeChicago XXXIII: O Christmas Three is the third album of Christmas songs by the American rock band, Chicago. The album was released on October 4, 2011. The collection includes a variety of holiday classics and a new tune "Rockin' and Rollin' on Christmas Day" co-written by founding trumpet player...
released in October, 2011.
External links
- Sold on Song (BBC Radio 2BBC Radio 2BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
)