It Doesn't Often Snow At Christmas
Elton John (Holiday) Lyrics
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Families fighting around a plastic tree
Nothing on the TV that you'd want to see
And it's hardly ever snowing
The way it's meant to be
Like in White Christmas year after year
Bing Crosby, Bring Crosby
It doesn't often snow at Christmas
The way it's meant to do
But I'll still have a glow at Christmas
Because I'll be with you
The Christmas message was long ago lost
Now it's all about shopping and how much things cost
It's meant to be goodwill as well as synthetic fun
And what this is this year's festive number one
It doesn't often snow at Christmas
The way it's meant to do
But I'll still have a glow at Christmas
Because I'll be with you
Neil: Merry Christmas
Chris: And a happy new year
The song "It Doesn't Often Snow at Christmas" by Elton John (Holiday) is a cynical and humorous commentary on the commercialization and shallowness of the holiday season. Elton portrays Christmas as a time of family conflict, boredom and disappointment due to the lack of traditional snow. He refers to the classic film "White Christmas" and invokes Bing Crosby to make his point about the idealized notion of this holiday season. Instead, modern Christmas is all about shopping, the pressure to spend money and the race to grab the coveted title of "this year's festive number one". Elton laments the loss of the original Christian message of goodwill and kindness that was supposed to be at the heart of the celebration.
However, despite the bleak picture painted by the lyrics, there is a glimmer of hope in the song's refrain "But I'll still have a glow at Christmas, because I'll be with you". The song is essentially a love song, celebrating the joy of being with someone special during the holiday season, even if everything else around is falling short of expectations. The warmth and affection that the singer feels for his partner transcends the artificial trappings of Christmas and brings real meaning and happiness to the occasion.
Line by Line Meaning
Christmas is not all it's cracked up to be
Christmas is not as perfect as it is portrayed to be.
Families fighting around a plastic tree
Families argue over insignificant matters around a plastic tree instead of enjoying the moment.
Nothing on the TV that you'd want to see
TV channels feature nothing interesting during Christmas.
And it's hardly ever snowing
Snow is hardly seen during Christmas, which is quite unusual.
The way it's meant to be
Snow is perceived as one of the main attributes of Christmas.
Like in White Christmas year after year
The movie 'White Christmas' portrays the perfect Christmas scene: snow covered landscapes, festive music, and happy people.
Bing Crosby, Bring Crosby
The famous singer Bing Crosby features in the movie 'White Christmas.'
Are you listening to me?
The author questions whether the audience is attentive to his/her words.
The Christmas message was long ago lost
The true Christmas message has been forgotten over time.
Now it's all about shopping and how much things cost
Nowadays, people focus more on the commercial aspect of Christmas, purchasing expensive gifts instead of cherishing the holiday spirit.
It's meant to be goodwill as well as synthetic fun
Christmas is supposed to inspire goodwill and happiness; however, nowadays, the sense of enjoyment comes across as fake or artificial.
And what this is this year's festive number one
This song has been designated as the most popular Christmas song this year.
It doesn't often snow at Christmas
Snow is something that rarely appears at Christmas, despite being a symbol of the holiday.
The way it's meant to do
Snow is supposed to be a staple of the holiday season.
But I'll still have a glow at Christmas
Despite the lack of snow, the author will still feel the warmth and joy of the holidays.
Because I'll be with you
The presence of a loved one or significant other elevates the holiday spirit, even without the abundance of snow or extravagant gifts.
Neil: Merry Christmas
A holiday greeting by Neil.
Chris: And a happy new year
A holiday greeting in response by Chris.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CHRISTOPHER LOWE, NEIL TENNANT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@victorrichman8356
[Verse 1: Neil Tennant]
Christmas is not all it's cracked up to be
Families fighting around a plastic tree
Nothing's on the TV that you'd want to see
And it's hardly ever snowing
The way it's meant to be
Like in White Christmas year after year
Bing Crosby, Bing Crosby
Are you listening to me?
[Chorus: Neil Tennant]
It doesn't often snow at Christmas
The way it's meant to do
But I'll still have a glow at Christmas
Because I'll be with you
[Verse 2: Neil Tennant]
The Christmas message was long ago lost
Now it's all about shopping and how much things cost
It's meant to be goodwill as well as synthetic fun
And what this is this year's festive number one
[Chorus: Neil Tennant]
It doesn't often snow at Christmas
The way it's meant to do
But I'll still have a glow at Christmas
Because I'll be with you
[Chorus: Neil Tennant]
It doesn't often snow at Christmas
The way it's meant to do
But I'll still have a glow at Christmas
Because I'll be with you
[Spoken Outro: Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe]
Merry Christmas
And a happy new year
@markhoffman505
December 2019: Lifelong fan of PSB's but I never knew this song existed until over the past few weeks I started hearing it EVERYWHERE -- indoor malls, Walmart, grocery stores, you name it. Funny, the first time I heard it I could barely make it out over the noise of shoppers but I was like "That sounds like Pet Shop Boys.....". Curious, I got on YouTube, typed in "Pet Shop Boys Christmas", and found this. Happy, cute song! A new Christmastime holiday fave!
@clonecommanderfoggy682
That's what happened to me too mate
@moemac59
Me too!! I heard this on Sirius
@llluuuyyyooo
LOL same here
@majk7215
Me too. Don't know why hadn't heard this before a few months ago.
@gavinhughes7136
Tis a joyous song
@paulcrewe3125
Pet Shop Boys so underrated. Fantastic music and songs.This particular song is pleasant, subtle and catchy.
@lisab8334
Underrated?
They have received all possible awards in the music.
They are considered the pioneer of one of the most popular music genre.
After nearly 40 years of career they still fill the arenas all around the world.
@jimbow2310
@@lisab8334 Overrated in my opinion.
@marinaribeiro2176
São os melhores. MAS alguns os subestimam