Barlow is one of Britain's most successful songwriters, having written fourteen Number 1 singles and twenty four top 10 hits. He has had three Number 1 singles, six top 10 singles and two Number 1 albums as a solo artist, and has had seventeen top 5 hits, twelve Number 1 singles and seven Number 1 albums with Take That. He is also a six-time recipient of the Ivor Novello Award and has sold over 50 million records worldwide. He was appointed an OBE in 2012 for services to music and charity.
Barlow's solo career was predicted to be very successful, being described as 'the next George Michael'. His first two solo singles "Forever Love" (released July 1996) and "Love Won't Wait" (composed by Madonna and Shep Pettibone) both leapt to the number one spot in his home country. "Forever Love" was also used as the soundtrack to the film The Leading Man. His debut album "Open Road" reached number 1 in the UK Albums Chart and went on to sell 2 million copies worldwide. Barlow's first single to be released in the United States as a solo artist was "So Help Me Girl", which reached number 44 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and number 1 on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. He then achieved another top ten hit in the UK with "Open Road" peaking at number 7 and number 8 in the Netherlands with "Are You Ready Now".
After the success of his first solo album he released his second LP "Twelve Months, Eleven Days" in 1999. Barlow released "Stronger" as the lead single preceding the album. However, due to an expected backlash against Barlow, it received minimal support and airplay and only peaked at number 16. The second single "For All That You Want" again was subjected to minimal radio play and peaked at number 24, however it peaked just outside the top 5 in Finland. "Twelve Months, Eleven Days" was released soon after the first single to little promotion and peaked at a disappointing number 35, which led to Sony recalling Barlow's 'greatest' song according to critics, the scheduled third single from his second album "Lie to Me". This resulted in both Barlow and BMG parting company. To date Barlow has sold 5 million records worldwide as a solo artist.
On September 2013, Barlow announced via his Twitter account that he would be releasing his first full-length solo album in 14 years, on 25 November 2013. Barlow encouraged his followers and fans to tweet #GBSOLO to reveal the album artwork and title, with their profile pictures being used to create a collage of the album cover. On 4 October 2013, Barlow revealed his new album would be called "Since I Saw You Last", and would be preceded by his first single from the LP, titled "Let Me Go", released worldwide on 17 November 2013. He also announced that he would be touring the album in April 2014, playing some of the biggest arenas in the UK.
How Christmas Is Supposed To Be
Gary Barlow Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You've given me nothing
Something to believe in
Sleepless nights
But every day I wonder
You're still dreaming
If I'm wasting my time here
No surprise
The voices way too loud
Emotions up and down
Searching hard to find some light
It's a war, it's a fight
On the worst of all nights
No, it's not the red that we wanna see
There will be no release
'Til we're down on our knees
Can we both agree
It's not how Christmas is supposed to be
I'm hoping this will be the year
I've been saying that forever
Agree to disagree
No compromise
Stay in
Go out
Be alone
Be together
Respecting each other even despite
The way we scream and shout
Forever falling out
Too much wrong, too little right
It's a war, it's a fight
On the worst of all nights
No, it's not the red that we wanna see
There will be no release
'Til we're down on our knees
Can we both agree
It's not how Christmas is supposed to be
No, it's not how it's supposed to be
No
Maybe we can start over again
Make tonight the beginning instead of the end
Put down our weapons
Dry all our tears
Find love, love this Christmas Eve, yeah
Woo!
Merry Christmas, everyone
Just look into my eyes
Let me apologize
Here's the only place that I wanna be
I wanna be
The only gift that I need is you loving me
And we both agree
This is how Christmas is supposed to be
This love, this love
This love is right where I wanna be
The only gift that I need is you loving me
Now we both agree
This is how Christmas is supposed to be
The lyrics to Gary Barlow's song "How Christmas is Supposed to Be" explore the challenges and conflicts that can arise during the holiday season in a relationship. The singer expresses their frustration and disappointment in their partner's lack of effort and the constant dreaming without taking action. The lyrics convey a sense of longing for a more harmonious and enjoyable Christmas experience, highlighting the disconnect between their expectations and reality.
The song reflects on the difficulties and struggles faced by the singer, as they question whether their efforts are in vain and if they are wasting their time. The voices of doubt and the constant emotional turbulence make it hard for them to find the joy and light they seek.
The chorus emphasizes the contrast between the idealized image of Christmas ("the red") and the reality they are experiencing. It portrays Christmas as a battle, a fight, and describes it as the worst of all nights. There is a yearning for release and resolution, a desire to be united in agreement that this is not how Christmas should be.
Towards the end of the song, there is a shift in tone and a sense of hope surfaces. The singer expresses a desire to start over, to find love and reconciliation. They apologize and acknowledge that the only gift they need is their partner's love, highlighting the importance of connection and understanding during the holiday season. The lyrics suggest that by putting down their weapons, drying their tears, and embracing love, they can create a Christmas experience that is true to its essence.
Overall, the lyrics of "How Christmas is Supposed to Be" delve into the complexities of relationships during the holiday season, expressing the desire for a more harmonious and loving experience.
Line by Line Meaning
I've given all I've got
I have put forth all my effort and given everything I have
You've given me nothing
But in return, you have given me nothing
Something to believe in
I am seeking something or someone to have faith in
Sleepless nights
These nights are filled with restlessness and unable to find peace
But every day I wonder
Each day, I question and ponder
You're still dreaming
If you are still holding onto unrealistic dreams and aspirations
If I'm wasting my time here
Whether or not I am investing my time and effort in vain
No surprise
It is not unexpected or shocking to me
The voices way too loud
The noise and opinions around me are overwhelming and overpowering
Emotions up and down
My feelings are fluctuating and unstable
Searching hard to find some light
I am diligently seeking for positivity and hope in the darkness
It's a war, it's a fight
This situation feels like a battle and an ongoing struggle
On the worst of all nights
During the most challenging and difficult times
No, it's not the red that we wanna see
We do not desire the color red, symbolizing conflict and tension
There will be no release
We will not experience relief or a resolution
'Til we're down on our knees
Unless we humble ourselves and submit to a higher power
Can we both agree
Can we find common ground and come to a mutual understanding
It's not how Christmas is supposed to be
This is not the true essence and spirit of Christmas
I'm hoping this will be the year
I have the expectation that this year will bring a positive change
I've been saying that forever
But I have been expressing this hope for an extended period of time
Agree to disagree
We can acknowledge our differences and still coexist peacefully
No compromise
There is no willingness to find a middle ground or reach an agreement
Stay in
To remain indoors or not go out
Go out
To leave the house and be in public
Be alone
To spend time in solitude, without the presence of others
Be together
To be in each other's company and share moments
Respecting each other even despite
Showing respect towards one another, even in spite of
The way we scream and shout
The manner in which we argue and raise our voices
Forever falling out
Constantly experiencing disagreements and conflict
Too much wrong, too little right
There is an abundance of wrongs and a scarcity of rights
No, it's not how it's supposed to be
No, this is not the ideal or intended state of things
Maybe we can start over again
Perhaps we have the opportunity to begin anew
Make tonight the beginning instead of the end
Let us transform this night into a fresh start rather than a conclusion
Put down our weapons
Let us cease our metaphorical and literal battles
Dry all our tears
Wipe away all the emotional pain and sadness
Find love, love this Christmas Eve, yeah
Discover love and experience its true meaning on this Christmas Eve
Woo!
An exclamation of excitement or enthusiasm
Merry Christmas, everyone
I extend my joyous Christmas greetings to everyone
Just look into my eyes
Direct your gaze into my eyes
Let me apologize
Allow me to express my regret and seek forgiveness
Here's the only place that I wanna be
This is the sole location where I desire to be
I wanna be
I have a strong desire to be
The only gift that I need is you loving me
Your love for me is the sole gift I require
And we both agree
Both of us are in accordance and in agreement
This is how Christmas is supposed to be
This fulfills the true expectations and essence of Christmas
This love, this love
The affection and bond between us
This love is right where I wanna be
This love is exactly where I want to exist
Now we both agree
Currently, we are aligned in our understanding
This is how Christmas is supposed to be
This embodies the genuine spirit and meaning of Christmas
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Gary Barlow
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Chaya Lael
Today I send you lots of prayers
For what’s about to be
I really want to help you
So I’m sending this from me
I’m sending what is needed
There is no need to apply
But most of all I send my love
To all that passes by
🙏🏽🙏🙏🏼🙏🏿🙏🏾🙏🏻
Looby H
Beautiful song people forget how talented Sheridan Smith they make a great duo well done Gary and Sheridan
Gary Barlow
thanks for your sincere compliment kindly let me know where you're watching from❤️🎤
Наталья Павлова
Очень Красиво 🌠💫🎵🎶💕
Maria De Lourdes Cabral
Amei 😍💖💖
Bon Jovi Jon
hola como estas es un placer conocerte
aquí.
Ann Rogers
Lovely song & video. Great collaboration. Love the his & hers Christmas tree.
Merry Christmas 🎄☃️🕊
Gary Barlow
Hello, how are you doing today? Nice meeting you here.
Ann Rogers
@Gary Barlow A Million Love Songs Later & Here I Am! 🤭😘 🎤🎶🤗
ignitesomething 35
🔥What a purely beautiful song! A perfect song all year long for me…..❤️❄️⛄️
Mazé Domingues
Concordo, linda para o ano todo!