… Read Full Bio ↴The Crash Test Dummies is a Canadian rock band from Winnipeg, Manitoba.
The band is most identifiable through Brad Roberts (vocals, guitar) and his distinctive bass-baritone voice. The band members have fluctuated over the years, but its best known line-up consisted of Roberts, Ellen Reid (co-vocals, keyboards), Brad's brother Dan Roberts (bass guitar, backing vocals), Benjamin Darvill (harmonica, mandolin), and Mitch Dorge (drums, percussion). The band is best known internationally for their 1993 single "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm" and best known in Canada for the 1991 single "Superman's Song".
After a multi-year hiatus, the band returned in 2015 with a tour and the new charity single "Promised Land" which was a collaboration with Marc Mysterio[1] following up his remix of "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm".
The origin of the Crash Test Dummies is tied to the history of two Winnipeg nightspots, the Spectrum Cabaret and the Blue Note Cafe, owned by Curtis Riddell.
In the mid-1980s, Riddell joined with Brad Roberts to form the decidedly less-than-serious bar band Bad Brad Roberts and the St. James Rhythm Pigs. Over time, the band evolved into the Crash Test Dummies, a name suggested by a friend of the band who was in medical school. The diagnostic mannequin, known colloquially as a crash test dummy, was known to the public already by this time. Ellen Reid and Benjamin Darvill became permanent additions. George West, the original bass player, quit and was replaced by Dan Roberts, Brad's brother. Riddell was replaced by Vince Lambert, who was fired and replaced by Mitch Dorge just before the release of The Ghosts That Haunt Me.
After signing with BMG Records in 1991, the band signed with manager Jeff Rogers (Swell).
In the summer of 2017, the full band, except Benjamin Darvill, reunited for a show in Winnipeg and Brad Roberts went on a tour of South Africa in early 2018.
In July 2018, a reunited photo of Brad Roberts, Ellen Reid, Dan Roberts, and Mitch Dorge was posted on the official Crash Test Dummies Facebook page, along with the announcement of Canadian Tour Dates for the fall.
Throughout their career, Crash Test Dummies have experimented with many different styles and genres of music. These styles include the acoustic folk rock of The Ghosts That Haunt Me, the electric alternative rock of A Worm's Life, the urban influences of Give Yourself a Hand, and the optigan-based compositions of Oooh La La!.
Crash Test Dummies recorded as a full five piece band from their debut album The Ghosts That Haunt Me until Give Yourself a Hand. At this time, the most notable instrumentation of the band's music included Brad Roberts' lead guitar, Ellen Reid's keyboards, and Benjamin Darvill's harmonica. Another notable element of Crash Test Dummies' music are the contrasting harmonies between Brad Roberts' deep lead vocals and Ellen Reid's backing vocals in the higher register.
Beginning with I Don't Care That You Don't Mind in 2001, the band's albums were recorded primarily by Brad Roberts, Ellen Reid, and a rotating roster of session musicians.
One of the biggest influences for Brad Roberts was the band XTC and Andy Partridge in particular. The band even went on to cover two of XTC's songs: "The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead" for the soundtrack to the film Dumb and Dumber, and "All You Pretty Girls" for the XTC tribute album A Testimonial Dinner.
White Christmas
Crash Test Dummies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The grass is green
The oranges, the palm trees sway
There's never been such a day
In Beverly Hills, LA
But it's December, the twenty-fourth
And I'm longing to be up north
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten
And children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white
The lyrics of the Crash Test Dummies' song "White Christmas" express longing and nostalgia for a traditional, snowy Christmas in contrast to the sunny, warm weather of Beverly Hills. The opening lines create a vivid contrast between the bright and colorful California scenery and the traditional imagery of winter with phrases like "the grass is green" and "the palm trees sway." The chorus is a direct reference to the Irving Berlin classic "White Christmas," expressing the singer's desire to experience the idyllic, snowy Christmases of childhood. The lyric "where the treetops glisten and children listen to hear sleigh bells in the snow" evokes a quintessential holiday atmosphere of magic and wonder.
The verse then returns to the reality of the singer's current location and time, emphasizing the irony and sadness of being stuck in sunny California on Christmas Eve. The repetition of the chorus reinforces the singer's longing for a simpler time and place, and the bridge is a heartfelt and sincere wish for happiness and joy for the listener. The final repetition of the chorus is a hopeful wish for the future, expressing a desire that all Christmases, present and future, will be filled with the magic and wonder of a white Christmas.
Line by Line Meaning
The sun is shining
The weather is warm and sunny in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles.
The grass is green
The plants and trees in Beverly Hills are thriving and verdant due to the favorable weather conditions.
The oranges, the palm trees sway
The fruit trees and tropical plants in Beverly Hills move gently in the breeze, creating a relaxed and tranquil atmosphere.
There's never been such a day
The singer believes that the current day is unique and special due to the beautiful weather in Beverly Hills.
In Beverly Hills, LA
The singer is in Beverly Hills, which is located in the state of California in the United States.
But it's December, the twenty-fourth
Despite the warm weather, it is still Christmas Eve, a time traditionally associated with cold weather and snow.
And I'm longing to be up north
The singer wishes to be in a colder region, potentially in the northern part of the United States, where he can experience a white Christmas.
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
The singer fantasizes about a Christmas with snow, which is a common cultural symbol of the holiday season.
Just like the ones I used to know
The singer is nostalgic for past Christmases that he experienced as a child or young adult, which likely involved cold weather and snow.
Where the treetops glisten
In the snowy landscapes of the singer's memories, the tops of the trees sparkled or reflected light in a pleasing manner.
And children listen
The singer remembers a time when children were encouraged to pay close attention for the sound of sleigh bells ringing in the snow.
To hear sleigh bells in the snow
Sleigh bells ringing in the snow are a classic Christmas sound and symbol that evokes feelings of joy and holiday cheer.
With every Christmas card I write
The singer expresses his holiday wish for others to enjoy a white Christmas when he writes and sends out his Christmas cards.
May your days be merry and bright
The singer hopes that the recipient of his Christmas card will have a cheerful and enjoyable holiday season.
And may all your Christmases be white
The singer extends his hope for a white Christmas to all of the Christmases that the recipient will celebrate in the future.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Tratore, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Irving Berlin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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