James, born James Oppenheim, grew up in New Rochelle, New York, and studied clarinet at eight, later switching to saxophone. At age 15, his family moved to Los Angeles, where he began playing in a fusion band called Line One that was strong enough to open for Flora Purim and the Yellowjackets. He earned a degree in history from UCLA but became a full-time musician after graduation, doubling on keyboards.
In 1985, James went on the road as a keyboardist with Morris Day. He spent four years with Day and became an in-demand sideman, playing with Randy Crawford, Sheena Easton, the Isley Brothers, Bobby Caldwell, and many others before going solo.
James has received four Grammy nominations, RIAA gold-certified albums, and millions of sales. His unique meld of soul-jazz, R&B, funk, and pop have come to define the sound of 21st-century contemporary jazz. Albums such as 1999's Body Language, 2004's Pure, and 2015's Futuresoul have influenced an entire generation of artists.
In 2020, James released his album Solid, featuring 11 self-penned compositions, including the single "Be Here," with Kenny Lattimore providing vocals. The album debuted at #10 on the Billboard Current Pop Albums Chart.
James remains a prominent figure in the contemporary jazz scene, with his unique sound and influence on the genre solidifying his place in music history.
This Christmas
Boney James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm gonna get to know you better
This Christmas
And as we trim the tree
How much fun it's gonna be together
This Christmas
Fireside blazing bright
And this Christmas will be
A very special Christmas for me
Presents and cards are here
My world is filled with cheer, and you
This Christmas
And as I look around
Your eyes outshine the town, they do
This Christmas
Fireside blazing bright
We're caroling through the night
And this Christmas will be
A very special Christmas for me
Shake a hand, shake a hand now
Fireside blazing bright
We're caroling through the night
And this Christmas will be
A very special Christmas for me
Hang all the mistletoe
I'm gonna get to know you better
This Christmas
And as we trim the tree
How much fun it's gonna be together
This Christmas
Fireside blazing bright
We're caroling through the night
And this Christmas will be
A very special Christmas for me
Merry Christmas
Shake a hand, shake a hand now
Wish your brother "Merry Christmas"
All over the land
The lyrics of Boney James's "This Christmas" express the joy and happiness of spending the holiday season with a loved one. The song starts with the singer expressing their desire to get to know someone better by hanging mistletoe. They want to create memories together as they decorate the tree with ornaments and enjoy each other’s company. The fireside is blazing, a warm atmosphere is present, and they're caroling through the night, adding to the festive mood. The chorus represents the excitement and anticipation of the Christmas celebration.
The second verse emphasizes the importance of being together during the holidays. The singer emphasizes that they are happy to share the joy that comes with opening presents and reading cards. They look around and see the bright eyes of their loved one that outshine the town. Again, the chorus emphasizes the warm feeling and special nature of that particular Christmas. It expresses how much that particular holiday means to them.
The song ends with a suggestion to shake hands and wish everyone a merry Christmas all over the land. The song is an excellent showcase not only of Boney James's instrumental skills but of his ability to create and interpret vocals. The lyrics paint a vivid image of a cozy and happy holiday spent with someone special.
Line by Line Meaning
Hang all the mistletoe
I want to create a romantic atmosphere by hanging mistletoe
I'm gonna get to know you better
I want to take the opportunity of Christmas to bond with you
This Christmas
This holiday season presents a chance for us to connect
And as we trim the tree
As we decorate the Christmas tree, I feel excited to spend quality time with you
How much fun it's gonna be together
I am looking forward to enjoying the holiday season in your company
Fireside blazing bright
The warm fire by the hearth is an invitation for us to stay cozy and relax
We're caroling through the night
We are enjoying the tradition of singing Christmas songs together
And this Christmas will be
This year's Christmas will be unique in its own way
A very special Christmas for me
For me, this Christmas will be filled with precious memories
Presents and cards are here
The gifts and greeting cards I have received bring me happiness
My world is filled with cheer, and you
You add a special something to my festivities, making my world brighter and happier
And as I look around
As I observe my surroundings
Your eyes outshine the town, they do
Your eyes sparkle so brilliantly that they outshine and illuminate the entire town
Shake a hand, shake a hand now
Let's exchange good wishes, spread love and extend greetings by shaking hands
Merry Christmas
Wishing you a happy and joyful Christmas
Wish your brother 'Merry Christmas'
Pass on my greetings and well wishes to others, including your siblings
All over the land
Everywhere, in all parts of the world and among all people
Contributed by Eliana C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.