Formed circa 1968/69, the original core members included percussionist Patrick Olive, guitarist Franklyn De Allie and drummer Ian King, along with bass player Tony Wilson, pianist Larry Ferguson and with Jamaican-born songwriter/vocalist Errol Brown. For Apple, they released a reggae version of "Give Peace A Chance", and backed Mary Hopkins on "Think About Your Children" before the Apple label dissolved. In 1970, they signed to Rak Records, a label owned by UK producer Mickie Most who had the group compose the final chart hit for Herman's Hermits. On their own they were to become one of the U.K's best loved charts groups, with 25 UK top 40 hit singles in their career. Hot Chocolate enjoyed their first UK hit in 1970 with "Love Is Life" followed by many more U.K. Top 10 hits including "I Believe (In Love)," "Brother Louie" (a stateside #-1 for U.S Stories), "A Child's Prayer," "Put Your Love In Me," "No Doubt About It," "Girl Crazy," "It Started With A Kiss" and "What Kinda Boy You Looking For (Girl)."
While popular in the U.K, it wasn't until 1974 that they secured a U.S record deal with Big Tree records, releasing the single "Emma", and becoming associated with burgeoning disco scene with "Disco Queen." Their second US album featured "You Sexy Thing" which hit #3 on the US top 40 charts. By 1978 they were affiliated with Infinity Records in the U.S and hit #6 on the charts with "Every 1's A Winner." 1979 sees the band release the LP "Going Through The Motions" obviously burning out on disco, but still commercially aiming for the dancefloor market with the irionic track "Mindless Boogie". They continued for some years afterwards but never regained the chart action or a U.S label, with lead singer Errol Brown finally leaving in 1987, basically putting an end to the group.
In 1992, with a new line-up, manager and agent, Ric Martin, took control over the band's bookings and live appearances. Hot Chocolate continue to make live appearances in the UK and Europe. A minor resurgence in interest in Hot Chocolate's music occurred after the 1998 film "The Full Monty" used "You Sexy Thing" prominently in the soundtrack. Errol brown was also known under the nickname, "the singing malteser" due to his bald head.
Brand New Christmas
Hot Chocolate Lyrics
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Somebody to lead us
We need, another Jesus
Jesus yes we need
Somebody to lead us
We need a brand new Christmas
Brand new Christmas, brand new Christmas
Brand new Christmas, right away
You can say their are happy with the world today
Who can say their not effected in anyway
By the wars and hunger that we see
I turn my eyes away from my tv
I can't stand it, I don't want to see
Little children dying, from poverty
Don't want to hear it, I can't stand the sound
Of people shooting people down
Yes we need
Somebody to lead us
We need, another Jesus
Jesus yes we need, somebody to lead us
We need a brand new Christmas
Brand new Christmas, brand new Christmas
Brand new Christmas, right away
Who can say we don't need heaven anyway?
Who can show me someone who is strong enough today?
To take the gun out of the fighting hand
To take a little away, from the greedy man
Everybody wants to live in peace
Everybody wants hunger to cease
Still nobody we can't find
To get it together Lord, at sometime
Yes we need
Somebody to lead us
We need, another Jesus
Jesus yes we need, somebody to lead us
We need a brand new Christmas
Brand new Christmas, brand new Christmas
Brand new Christmas, right away
Need somebody to lead us
Need somebody to lead us
Need another Jesus
Need a brand new Christmas yes we
Need somebody to lead us
Need somebody to lead us
Need another Jesus
Need a brand new Christmas
Need somebody to lead us
We need, another Jesus
Jesus yes we need, somebody to lead us
We need a brand new Christmas
Brand new Christmas, brand new Christmas
Brand new Christmas, brand new Christmas
Right away
Need somebody to lead us
Need somebody to lead us
Need another Jesus
Need a brand new Christmas yes we
Need somebody to lead us
Need somebody to lead us
Need another Jesus
Need a brand new Christmas yes we
Need somebody to lead us
Need somebody to lead us
Need another Jesus
Need a brand new Christmas yes we
Need somebody to lead us
Need somebody to lead us
Need another Jesus
The lyrics of Hot Chocolate's song "Brand New Christmas" convey a longing for a better world, one that is free from war, hunger, poverty, and violence. The opening lines express the need for someone to lead and guide humanity, a desire for a figure like Jesus to bring about change and bring people together during the holiday season. The repeated chorus emphasizes this need for a new Christmas, indicating a desire for a fresh start, a rebirth of hope and compassion.
The verses highlight the current state of the world, where the singer acknowledges that despite some being content with the world as it is, there are still many who are affected by the atrocities they witness on the news. The mention of wars, hunger, and poverty serve as reminders of the harsh realities faced by humanity. The singer expresses their inability to tolerate the suffering and death of innocent children due to poverty, expressing a desire to shield themselves from such painful realities. They also reject the violence and shooting that pervade society.
The song then questions who can argue against the need for a better world, for heaven, and who can provide strong leadership capable of disarming those who engage in conflict. It calls for someone who will take from the greedy and bring peace and an end to hunger. However, despite the universal desire for peace, the song reflects on the difficulty of finding such a leader or achieving meaningful change.
Overall, "Brand New Christmas" resonates with the longing for a better world, and the need for guidance and leadership to address the challenges faced by humanity.
Line by Line Meaning
Yes we need
It is evident that we require
Somebody to lead us
An individual to guide and direct us
We need, another Jesus
We are in need of a new savior
Jesus yes we need
Truly, we are in need of Jesus
Somebody to lead us
An individual to guide and direct us
We need a brand new Christmas
We require a completely new and refreshing Christmas experience
Brand new Christmas, brand new Christmas
A Christmas celebration that is entirely novel and unprecedented
Brand new Christmas, right away
This new Christmas is desired immediately
You can say their are happy with the world today
Some may claim contentment with the current state of the world
Who can say their not affected in anyway
However, who can genuinely assert that they are not influenced in any manner
By the wars and hunger that we see
Due to the conflicts and starvation that are observed
I turn my eyes away from my tv
I avert my gaze from the television
I can't stand it, I don't want to see
I cannot tolerate it, I do not desire to witness it
Little children dying, from poverty
Innocent children perishing due to destitution
Don't want to hear it, I can't stand the sound
I do not wish to hear about it, I dislike the sound of it
Of people shooting people down
The act of individuals gunning down one another
Who can say we don't need heaven anyway?
Is there anyone who can assert that we do not require heaven in any case?
Who can show me someone who is strong enough today?
Can anyone demonstrate to me an individual who possesses sufficient strength in the present day?
To take the gun out of the fighting hand
To remove the firearm from the hand engaged in combat
To take a little away, from the greedy man
To confiscate a small portion from the avaricious individual
Everybody wants to live in peace
It is the desire of all to dwell in a state of tranquility
Everybody wants hunger to cease
The cessation of hunger is desired by everyone
Still nobody we can't find
Yet, there is nobody we cannot locate
To get it together Lord, at sometime
To unite and organize it, Lord, at some point in time
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Errol Ainsworth Glenstor Brown
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind