Perri grew up in Bensalem, Pennsylvania (a suburb of Philadelphia) with her older brother, Nick Perri, who formerly played guitar with Shinedown, among other artists. She attended Archbishop Ryan High School, and at age 16 taught herself how to play guitar by watching a videotape of Shannon Hoon from the group Blind Melon performing on VH1.
On her 21st birthday, Perri moved to Los Angeles. Later that year she got married and began to produce music videos. She divorced 18 months later and moved back to Philadelphia toward the end of 2009. During this time, she wrote her first song, "Jar of Hearts." She moved back to Los Angeles, where she spent her time waitressing at the Melrose Cafe during the day and recording music at night.
Perri's song "Jar of Hearts" was featured on "So You Think You Can Dance" during the June 30, 2010 broadcast. The song was featured in a performance by Billy Bell and Kathryn McCormick. Perri's friend Keltie Colleen passed the song to show choreographer Stacey Tookey, and later Perri and Colleen watched the performance in the audience. Following its exposure on the show, "Jar of Hearts" sold 48,000 digital copies, debuting on the Billboard Hot 100 at #63 and reaching #28 on Billboard's Hot Digital Songs. Within a month, it sold more than 100,000 copies. Then, her music video for "Jar of Hearts" landed on the VH1 top 20 music video countdown.
Shortly after, Perri made her debut on national day time and prime time television, performing the song live on the July 10, 2010 episode of "The Early Show" on CBS as well as the July 15, 2010 episode of "So You Think You Can Dance." Perri signed a deal with Atlantic Records in July 2010. Perri recorded a five-single EP named "The Ocean Way Sessions," recorded live and released in November 2010.
Perri's debut album is titled "Lovestrong" and was released on May 10, 2011. It followed the release of its lead single, "Arms."
Happy Xmas
Christina Perri Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And what have you done?
Another year over
And a new one just begun
So this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Christmas
For weak and for strong
For rich and the poor ones
The world is so wrong
And so happy Christmas
For black and for whites
For yellow and red ones
Let's stop all the fight
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Christmas
And what have we done?
Another year over
And a new one just begun
And so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
War is over
If you want it
War is over now
War is over
If you want it
War is over now
War is over
If you want it
War is over now
War is over if you want it
War is over now
Christina Perri's song "Happy Xmas" is a beautiful reflection on the end of a year and the beginning of a new one, as well as a call for unity and peace among all people. The lyrics "So this is Christmas and what have you done? Another year over and a new one just begun" are an invitation for listeners to reflect on the past year and to challenge themselves to do better in the coming year. The lines "For weak and for strong, For rich and the poor ones, The world is so wrong" highlight the societal injustices and the need for everyone to stand together to right these wrongs.
Perri brings up the topic of war and its effects on people worldwide with the line "War is over, If you want it, War is over now." This is a call for people to come together and work towards ending violence and conflicts around the world. It’s not just for one race or gender, it’s a call for unity that can achieve the impossible.
Overall, "Happy Xmas" is a plea for celebration, unity, and kindness in the midst of turbulent times. It asks its listeners to reflect, come together, and be joyful during the holiday season.
Line by Line Meaning
So this is Christmas
The singer is acknowledging that it's Christmas time.
And what have you done?
The singer is asking the listener what they have accomplished over the past year.
Another year over
The singer is acknowledging that another year has passed.
And a new one just begun
The artist is acknowledging that a new year has just started.
I hope you have fun
The artist is wishing the listener a good time during the holiday season.
The near and the dear one
The singer is referring to loved ones who are close by.
The old and the young
The singer is referring to people of all ages.
Let's hope it's a good one
The artist is expressing a wish for a positive, happy year to come.
Without any fear
The artist is hoping that the new year will be free from worries and concerns.
For weak and for strong
The artist is acknowledging that Christmas is for everyone, regardless of their physical or emotional strength.
For rich and the poor ones
The singer is acknowledging that Christmas is for everyone, regardless of their financial situation.
The world is so wrong
The artist is acknowledging that the world has many problems.
For black and for whites
The singer is acknowledging that Christmas is for everyone, regardless of their race or ethnicity.
For yellow and red ones
The singer is acknowledging that Christmas is for everyone, regardless of their skin color.
Let's stop all the fight
The singer is hoping that people will come together and stop fighting with one another.
War is over
The artist is declaring that war is over.
If you want it
The artist is suggesting that people have the power to end war if they choose.
War is over now
The singer is restating that war is over and that it can happen if people choose to make it happen.
War is over if you want it
The singer is repeating the idea that people have the power to end war if they choose.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Winston Lennon, Yoko Ono
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@laughterdreamer
This is actually still my favorite interpretation of this song. Including good old John's.
Incredibly heart-felt and moving. Bravo.
@lovelifeanddontgiveup3730
did anyone notice that Christina Perri usually smiles when she sings. I honestly think it's adorable.
@Vaelors15
It's probably got to do with technique though, it helps you pitch!
@reubination
Nope you are the only one that noticed 🙄
@delonvespa
Close your eyes . Its feel like cranberries singing
@ncm_musicarap
Exepto en jarro de corazones o no sé cómo se escriba o pronuncie en Ingles
@lucindawinehouse2002
@@ncm_musicarap Jar Of Hearts is a break up song that’s why Christina Perri doesn’t smile in that video
@FireflyFanatic3
She is so beautiful. It's like you can actually see her happiness and her sweetness and shining out through her face...
@LifeAsItWeKnow
There are not many better than her.....She is a very special woman.
@usa32767
this time of the year, everyone, no mater what color, ethnicity or beliefs, gather together in joy and friendship.
it's simply wonderfull. is called "being human".