December Song

OK, so those that know me won’t be shocked when I say that I hate Christmas songs – with a few exceptions. George is actually featuring on three of the handful of X-mas songs I can stomach: “Last Christmas”, “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” and “December Song (I Dreamed of Christmas)”. Imagine that (harr harr).

In recent years, in particular, George’s songs have been of the you have to hear it half a dozen times before you can decide whether or not you like it kind, but I don’t think this song is like that. Fortunately he’s not turned into Prince (read: creating music that only those – usually self-proclaimed – musically sophisticated can understand well enough to like) (really read: pretentious crap) and does in fact make tunes that are very listenable.

It could be that I’m easy now cause I’ve stepped away from ‘the whole thing’ and am actually able to listen to a George Michael song on the same level as people that aren’t fans listen to a George Michael song: Listen once, decide whether you like it or not, play it again if you do, put it away in a folder if you don’t. I spent so much time and energy trying to like some of the songs on “Patience” – I managed to get my head around it, and I like the songs, but it was a hard album, really. Some ‘easy’ tunes, but some were kinda… ya know. lol.

This song, much like his last(?) output “This Is Not Real Love” (has he done anything after that except “Feelin’ Good”? I forget…) is easy to listen to. Not easy listening, just easy to listen to. Or easier than some previous stuff.

The bottom line is, the song is very George Michael, the way I choose to think of him. It’s got that heartfelt vocal, it’s got lyrics that could mean four different things if you choose to dwell on it, the melody is simple yet sophisticated if you know what to listen for – and there’s absolutely no way it could have been anyone else. This is why George Michael, the talented artist, will be remembered for just that in years to come: His talent.

Just for the record, other Christmas songs I can stomach is “O Helga Natt” (Swedish version of “O Holy Night” – either with Jussi Bjorling or Jan Werner), “The Christmas Song”, “Fairytale of New York” (just cos it’s f-ing hilarious), “La Det Sne” (“Let It Snow” in Norwegian – done with a sense of humour) and “Thank God It’s Christmas”. Most other X-mas stuff I can do without, really.

Anyway, lyrics. Blatantly stolen from Remarkable’s Buzzin’ Blog.

December Song
(I Dreamed Of Christmas)

written by George Michael & David Austin

Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas
May your every New Year dream come true

Sweet December song
The melody that saved me
On those less than silent nights
When snow would fall upon my bed
White sugar from Jesus
And take me to the day
She could always smile
The Virgin Child would always show the way
Just to save me
(Just to save me)

There was always Christmas time
To wipe the year away
I guess that morning they’d decided
That the war would have to wait

There was always Christmas time
Jesus came to stay
I could believe in peace on Earth
And I could watch TV all day
So I dreamed of Christmas

Maybe since you’ve gone
I went a little crazy
God knows they can see
(the child)
But the snow that falls upon my bed
That loving I needed
Falls every single day
For each and every child
The Virgin smiles for all to see
But you kept her from me

There was always Christmas time
To wipe the year away
I guess that morning they’d decided
That the war would have to wait

There was always Christmas time
Jesus came to stay
I could believe in peace on Earth
And I could watch TV all day
And so I dreamed of Christmas
Yes, I dreamed like you

Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas
May your every New Year dream come true