Brannan was cast in 2003 for the movie Shortbus, directed by John Cameron Mitchell. He contributed the song Soda Shop to the film's soundtrack, which he stated was his "first professionally recorded track".
Relatively new to the music world, he has released several songs on iTunes and on his myspace page, has become extremely popular thanks to his YouTube profile, and has been keen on maintaining a self-produced, low-key website.
His songs hold many of the same universal themes other artists acclaim to, but with a more fresh, realistic, sometimes vulgar, understanding. This has made him a hero to other gay men and general audiences alike.
Official Website:
www.jaybrannan.com
Dear Santa
Jay Brannan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
it always seemed, i always dreamed by now i'd have someone else's last name
way past grown, sleeping in a shrunken bed
all alone, unless you count the squatters tearing up my head
tried so hard to be good all year long
and we are all inherently bad, anne frank had it wrong
i asked for nothing, i even left some cookies right
by the open window, i don't have a chimney, just a heart of gold, you see
imagine my surprise that not even santa wants cookies from me
dear santa, could you use a 6 foot 1 elf?
i'm sick of taking stock from this widow's walk, up here searching for myself
is there any way i could hop aboard your sleigh?
take a holiday, leave the work to me, your red-nosed blue jay
when people say the joy you bring's a children's thing, does it sting?
'cuz i will ring silver bells & sing you're as real as martin luther king
santa, oh santa, where were you last night?
i asked for nothing, i even left some cookies right
by the open window, i don't have a chimney, just a heart of gold, you see
imagine my surprise that not even santa wants cookies from me
chocolate chip. oatmeal raisin. gingerbread, too.
a full selection from my convection in little shapes of you
free flowing ho-ho-ing's a lot for one man's jaws
if you're feelin' brittle, i can bake a little mrs. for your claws/claus
santa, oh santa, where were you last night?
i asked for nothing, i even left some cookies right
by the open window, i don't have a chimney, just a heart of gold, you see
imagine my surprise that not even santa wants cookies from me
In Jay Brannan's song "Dear Santa," the singer expresses his disappointment with how his year has gone. He is alone, longing for the companionship he thought he would have by now. Brannan speaks to Santa and wonders where he was during his lonely night. He asks if Santa could use a helper--a tall elf who is searching for something to do. He questions if Santa feels hurt by those who dismiss him as a "children's thing," and proclaims that he is as real as Martin Luther King Jr. Brannan also expressingly his willingness to bake cookies for Santa, yet he is surprised that even Santa doesn't want his baked goods.
One theme that runs throughout "Dear Santa" is disappointment. Brannan is disappointed with the way his life has turned out, and he wonders if Santa has any compassion for those who are alone during the holiday season. Additionally, there is a bit of humor in the song. While Brannan expresses a deep sense of longing and sadness, he also pokes fun at the idea of Santa Claus by asking if he might need a helper and offering to bake more cookies than he could possibly eat.
Overall, "Dear Santa" is a poignant and honest reflection on the loneliness that many people feel during the holiday season, wrapped in a tongue-in-cheek sense of humor.
Line by Line Meaning
Dear santa, the thing is this year has been lame
The singer is addressing Santa and expressing that the as a year has been boring and uneventful.
it always seemed, i always dreamed by now i'd have someone else's last name
The singer feels a sense of stagnation and that their life has not progressed as it should have with regard to finding a romantic partner.
way past grown, sleeping in a shrunken bed
The singer acknowledges growing older but feels that they are unable to make meaningful changes and must still sleep in a small bed.
all alone, unless you count the squatters tearing up my head
The artist is isolated and feels that their own negative thoughts are taking up residence in their mind.
tried so hard to be good all year long
The artist has put in a lot of effort to be well-behaved throughout the year.
and we are all inherently bad, anne frank had it wrong
The singer expresses a belief that people are inherently flawed and that even Anne Frank, who believed in the basic goodness of people, was incorrect in her assessment.
santa, oh santa, where were you last night?
The singer is asking Santa where he was on the previous night.
i asked for nothing, i even left some cookies right
The artist is expressing that they did not ask Santa for anything and even left some cookies out for him.
by the open window, i don't have a chimney, just a heart of gold, you see
The artist did not have a chimney for Santa to come down, so they left the window open and they believe that they have a kind heart.
imagine my surprise that not even santa wants cookies from me
The artist was saddened by the fact that Santa did not eat any of the cookies they left out, despite having left them out as a gesture of kindness.
dear santa, could you use a 6 foot 1 elf?
The singer is asking Santa if they could work for him as an elf, being 6'1 tall.
i'm sick of taking stock from this widow's walk, up here searching for myself
The artist is tired of feeling lost and unsure of who they are and what they want, and they use the metaphor of being on a widow's walk to describe their current state.
is there any way i could hop aboard your sleigh?
The singer is asking Santa if they can join him on his sleigh.
take a holiday, leave the work to me, your red-nosed blue jay
The singer is offering to take over some of Santa's duties during the holiday season, and refers to themselves as Santa's helper, the blue jay.
when people say the joy you bring's a children's thing, does it sting?
The singer is positing that Santa might be hurt by the perception that the joy he brings is only for children.
'cuz i will ring silver bells & sing you're as real as martin luther king
The artist promises to celebrate Santa's existence and insists that he is just as real as the famous civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
chocolate chip. oatmeal raisin. gingerbread, too.
The artist lists the different types of cookies they made for Santa.
a full selection from my convection in little shapes of you
The singer baked the cookies in the shapes of different Christmas-related objects and icons.
free flowing ho-ho-ing's a lot for one man's jaws
The singer acknowledges that saying 'ho-ho-ho' a lot must be exhausting for Santa's voice.
if you're feelin' brittle, i can bake a little mrs. for your claws/claus
The artist offers to bake and bring along more cookies for Santa's spouse, Mrs. Claus, if Santa is feeling overwhelmed.
imagine my surprise that not even santa wants cookies from me
The artist continues to express sadness that Santa didn't eat their cookies, even after all their effort and kindness.
Contributed by Xavier W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
2jinntam
Can't stop listening to this song. Definitely a new favorite.
Eddie Bamboo
Perfect song for this year's Christmas π
I H
This is the best christmas Song that exists. So underrated it hurts.
Laura Szenes
I listen to this song every Christmas. every. single. Christmas.
Aaron Howe
Man I wish there was sheet music for this song. So beautiful.
Elizabeth_Hope_5524
Me and my teacher were talking about Christmas songs, I said I didn't really like any, he gave me a sticky note with this song on it and said I'd like it. I WAS NOT EXPECTING THIS. I AM ACTUALLY IN LOVE WITH IT. He may have thought I'd like it because he knows I listen to more so "alternative" music, or in other words metal. I do like all kinds of music mostly and I thought it was gonna be like a Christmas rock song with a guitar solo because that's the music he likes. But.. no. This song is actually crazy good
Jinhee Cha
I am such a huge fan of yours! I LOVE YOUR SONGS!!! :D
Greg Liston
Clever and playful phrasing . . . I love it! Great work, as usual.
Cursiodades Edy
Que voz bonita cara, essa mΓΊsica Γ© muito boa :D.
manuel-d86
Love it! So bittersweet...love the lyrics, the melody, the production... the new album is going to be amazing :)