In 1969, Ray Benson and Lucky Oceans (Reuben Gosfield) co-founded Asleep at the Wheel in Paw Paw, West Virginia, and soon after they found themselves opening for Alice Cooper and Hot Tuna in Washington, DC.[1] A year later, they moved to East Oakland, California at the invitation of Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen. After being mentioned in Rolling Stone magazine by Van Morrison, they landed a record deal with United Artists. In 1973, their debut album, Comin' Right At Ya was released by United Artists. At the request of Willie Nelson, they left Oakland for Austin in 1974.
Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel have been presented numerous awards throughout their career. Most recently, the 16th Annual Midsouth Regional Emmy Award for the making of "A Ride With Bob", recognition by Mayor Kirk Watson of Austin, Texas, and the Darrel K. Royal Music Patron Award by The Texas Heritage Songwriters' Association. In 2007, The Austin Chronicle recognized Asleep at the Wheel for Band of the Year, Best Country Band, and into their Hall of Fame. Benson was inducted into the Austin Music Hall of Fame in 2002, was given The Texas Music Association Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996, and recognized as an Outstanding Producer by the National Academy of Recording Arts in 1988. He has also been given numerous Citations of Achievement by Broadcast Music, Inc. for his work in the country music field. Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel have been one of the strongest names in Country Music for the last forty years.
Mele Kalikimaka
Asleep at the Wheel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On a bright Hawaiian Christmas day
That's the island greeting that we send to you
From the land where palm trees sway
Here we know that Christmas will be green and bright
The sun will shine by day and all the stars at night
Mele kalikimaka is Hawaii's way
Take it girls
Mele kalikimaka is the thing to say
On a bright Hawaiian Christmas day
That's the island greeting that we send to you
From the land where palm trees sway
Here we know that Christmas will be green and bright
The sun will shine by day and all the stars at night
Mele kalikimaka is Hawaii's way
To say Merry Christmas to you
Here we know that Christmas will be green and bright
The sun will shine by day and all the stars at night
Mele kalikimaka is Hawaii's way
To say Merry Christmas to you
Mele kalikimaka is the thing to say
On a bright Hawaiian Christmas day
That's the island greeting that we send to you
From the land where palm trees sway
Here we know that Christmas will be green and bright
The sun will shine by day and all the stars at night
Mele kalikimaka is Hawaii's way
To say Merry Christmas
Merry, Merry, Christmas
Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas to you
Asleep At The Wheel's song "Mele Kalikimaka" is a festive tune that captures the spirit of Christmas celebrated in Hawaii. The lyrics depict the joy and warmth of the holiday season in the Hawaiian Islands. The phrase "Mele Kalikimaka" is the Hawaiian way of saying "Merry Christmas," and it is repeated throughout the song.
The song opens with the chorus stating that "Mele Kalikimaka is the thing to say, on a bright Hawaiian Christmas day." This is followed by a declaration that this island greeting is being sent to the listener from the land where palm trees sway. The lyrics then express the certainty that Christmas will be green and bright in Hawaii, with sunshine during the day and stars at night.
The repetition of the chorus and the use of Hawaiian language add a cheerful and festive tone to the song. The song is a celebration of the uniqueness and warmth of the Hawaiian Christmas experience, with its island greetings and tropical beauty.
Line by Line Meaning
Mele kalikimaka is the thing to say
Mele kalikimaka is the appropriate phrase to use
On a bright Hawaiian Christmas day
During a sunny and festive Christmas day in Hawaii
That's the island greeting that we send to you
The local and well-known expression of goodwill we are extending to you
From the land where palm trees sway
From a place of swaying palm trees
Here we know that Christmas will be green and bright
In this location, we anticipate a vibrant and verdant Christmas
The sun will shine by day and all the stars at night
Expect continuous clear skies during the day and luminous stars at night
Mele kalikimaka is Hawaii's way
This expression is a distinct and unique way of conveying Christmas greetings from Hawaii
To say Merry Christmas to you
To express our best wishes for Christmas to you
Take it girls
Continue singing the song, female vocalists
Merry, Merry, Christmas
Wishing you a very joyous Christmas
Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas to you
Wishing you a very, very happy Christmas
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: R. Alex Anderson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ben - Moderator
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Ben - Moderator
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