Isaak's music can be described as a blend of country, blues, rock'n'roll, pop and surf rock.
He signed a contract to Warner Brothers Records in 1984 for his first album "Silvertone". Isaak's contract was renewed in 1988 when Warner moved him to their Reprise Records label.
His best-known song is "Wicked Game". Though released on the 1989 album "Heart Shaped World", an instrumental version of the song was later featured in the David Lynch film 'Wild at Heart' (and also years later in the 2000 film The Family Man). An Atlanta radio station DJ began playing the full version and it quickly became a nation-wide top ten hit. The music video for the song was directed by Herb Ritts and was a big MTV and VH1 hit; shot in black and white, it starred Isaak and model Helena Christensen rolling on the beach, embracing and whispering in each others' ears.
In 1999, Isaak's "Baby Did A Bad, Bad Thing" was featured in Stanley Kubrick's final film 'Eyes Wide Shut', starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman.
In 2001, Chris Isaak starred in his own television show, 'The Chris Isaak Show'. It aired from March 2001 to March 2004 in the United States on the cable television network Showtime. This adult comedy show featured Chris Isaak and his band playing themselves with the episode plots based on fictional accounts of the backstage world of Chris Isaak - the rock star next door.
In 2004, his track "Life Will Go On" was featured on the 'Chasing Liberty' soundtrack, which starred Mandy Moore and Matthew Goode.
He hosted a talk show on the Biography cable channel in the United States in 2009 that offered a unique twist - each guest was a musical artist, and both Chris and the artist performed various songs throughout each show. Eight episodes aired in early 2009, featuring guests Trisha Yearwood, Stevie Nicks, Glen Campbell, Michael Buble, Chicago, The Smashing Pumpkins, Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens), and Jewel.
Isaak has also appeared in numerous films, mostly playing minor cameo roles, though he starred with Keanu Reeves and Bridget Fonda in the 1993 Bernardo Bertolucci-directed 'Little Buddha', and also played a major role in David Lynch's 'Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me' (1992). Other motion pictures include 'Married to the Mob' (1988), 'The Silence of the Lambs' (1991), 'That Thing You Do!' (1996), and 'A Dirty Shame' (2004). He also guest-starred on the Super Bowl Sunday (1996) edition of the television sitcom Friends and on the HBO miniseries, From the Earth to the Moon (HBO).
Chris is also an amateur boxer, avid surfer and a former Golden Gloves champion.
Christmas on TV
Chris Isaak Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And wishing you were here with me
Merry Christmas from one million miles away
Jimmy Stewart, he's with his friends
The bells are ringing
It's near the end
Merry Christmas from one million miles away
They look so warm, they look so sweet
Like the love you gave to me
Just yesterday
But you're really not that far
In our old house
With his new car
So merry Christmas from one million miles away
Merry Christmas baby
Hold the lights across the street
They look so warm, they look so sweet
Like the love you gave to me
Just yesterday
The movie is over
The credit rolls
But I've got no place left to go
So merry Christmas from one million miles away
Oh merry Christmas from a million miles away
The lyrics to Chris Isaak's song "Christmas On TV" capture the sense of longing and sadness that one can feel during the holiday season when they are missing someone they care about. Isaak uses figurative language to create a sense of distance and space between himself and his loved one, even though they may not be physically far apart. He refers to himself as being "one million miles away" from his partner, who is likely spending the holiday in their old house with a new car. Isaak yearns for the warmth and comfort of his loved one's presence, as symbolized by the lights on the street that look "so warm, they look so sweet." He juxtaposes the joy and cheer depicted on the TV screen, with images of loneliness and isolation that he feels as he watches the movie alone. Despite the melancholic undertones, the song ends with a message of love and holiday cheer as the singer wishes the audience a "Merry Christmas baby."
The song is a great example of Chris Isaak's talent for blending rockabilly, country, and vintage pop sensibilities into a unique sound that has earned him a loyal following across generations. His signature crooning voice and exceptional guitar skills have made him one of the most influential artists of his time. "Christmas On TV" is included on his 2004 holiday album, "Chris Isaak Christmas," which features interpretations of classic carols and original compositions. The album received critical acclaim and was a commercial success, earning the artist a new legion of fans.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm watching Christmas on TV
I am currently watching holiday programs airing on the television
And wishing you were here with me
I long for your presence to share this special time together
Merry Christmas from one million miles away
Holiday greetings despite being separated by a vast distance
Jimmy Stewart, he's with his friends
The actor playing George Bailey in 'It's a Wonderful Life' is spending time with his on-screen companions
The bells are ringing
The chiming of bells can be heard, possibly signifying religious celebrations
It's near the end
The holiday season is almost over, or perhaps the movie being watched is concluding
Hold the lights across the street
Observing the festive lights shining from a nearby residence
They look so warm, they look so sweet
The lights evoke warm and endearing feelings
Like the love you gave to me
Comparable to the love that was previously shared
Just yesterday
A recent memory of affection
But you're really not that far
Despite the physical distance, the loved one is still relatively close in heart
In our old house
Reminiscing about a past shared living space
With his new car
Speculating that the significant other is with their new romantic partner, represented by a recent automobile purchase
So merry Christmas from one million miles away
Another well-wishing message from afar
Merry Christmas baby
An affectionate nickname signoff for the loved one
The movie is over
The watched film has concluded
The credit rolls
The end credits of the movie are shown
But I've got no place left to go
Nowhere to be or go, other than being consumed by thoughts of one's beloved
So merry Christmas from one million miles away
A final seasonal greeting, but the distance remains unchanged
Oh merry Christmas from a million miles away
A slight variation of the previous line
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRIS ISAAK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind