Born in Providence, RI, Jeffrey Osborne was the youngest of 12 children and was constantly bombarded with music as he was growing up. He had five brothers and six sisters, some of whom went on to have music careers. His father, Clarence "Legs" Osborne, was a popular trumpeter who played with Lionel Hampton, Count Basie, and Duke Ellington, and died when Jeffrey was only 13. His mother, Wanita, is ancestored by a Pequot Indian sachem. His oldest brother, Clay Osborne, is a singer and pianist, and Billy, another brother, is a songwriter and producer in Los Angeles. But Osborne's father had the greatest influence on his musical career; Clarence "Legs" Osborne turned down many top band offers during his career to be with his family. It was only after receiving his mother's encouragement that Jeffrey left for Los Angeles to play with L.T.D. At the age of 15, he sat in with the O'Jays when the drummer was too tired to play, and went on to play with them for two weeks. It was at a Providence nightclub that fate brought him together with the band Love Men Ltd. in 1969.
Osborne's solo career has brought him five gold and platinum albums, including Stay With Me Tonight, Aymuk, and Only Human. He also recorded an album of duets with popular singer James Ingram, and scored an international hit with "On the Wings of Love" in 1982. Osborne's touring and recording continue to keep him busy much of the time, but he also devotes some of his time to charity work.
This Christmas
Jeffrey Osborne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm gonna get to know you better
This Christmas
And as we trim the tree
How much fun it's gonna be together
This Christmas
Fireside is blazing bright
And this Christmas will be
A very special Christmas for me
Oh, shake a hand, shake a hand now
Presents and cards are here
My world is filled with cheer and you
This Christmas
And as I look around
Your eyes outshine the town, they do
This Christmas
Fireside is blazing bright
We're caroling through the night
And this Christmas will be
A very special Christmas for me
Oh
Ooh
Oh oh, fireside is blazing bright
And we're caroling through the night
And this Christmas will be
A very special for me, yeah
Mmhm, yeah
Hang all the mistletoe
I'm gonna get to know you better
This Christmas
And as we trim the tree
How much fun it's gonna be together
This Christmas
Fireside is blazing bright
Oh, we're caroling through the night
And this Christmas will be
A very special Christmas for me, yeah yeah
Have a merry Christmas
Oh, shake a hand, alright
Mm, yeah, ooh, na na na na na na
In the song "This Christmas" by Jeffrey Osborne, the lyrics express the excitement and anticipation of the holiday season. The opening lines, "Hang all the mistletoe, I'm gonna get to know you better, This Christmas," suggest a desire for connection and intimacy during this special time of year. It symbolizes a willingness to open up emotionally and create deeper bonds with loved ones.
The lyrics continue with mention of trimming the tree together, emphasizing the joy and fun that will be experienced as a couple or group. It highlights the importance of shared activities and creating lasting memories in the festive atmosphere. The line "How much fun it's gonna be together, This Christmas" underscores the anticipation of the enjoyable moments to come.
The following verses describe the traditional elements of Christmas. The blazing fireside represents warmth and comfort, evoking a cozy and inviting atmosphere. The act of caroling through the night implies spreading joy and happiness to others, engaging with the spirit of the season. The line "Your eyes outshine the town, they do, This Christmas" suggests the immense love and admiration the singer feels for the person they are singing to, further highlighting the significance of their connection during this celebratory time.
As the song progresses, the lyrics mention the presence of presents and cards, signifying the exchange of gifts and well-wishes that accompany the holiday season. The singer expresses how the presence of the person they are singing to fills their world with cheer, emphasizing the happiness and gratitude they feel for this relationship.
The chorus repeats the idea of the fireside blazing bright and caroling through the night, reinforcing the joyful ambiance of Christmas. The final lines, "And this Christmas will be a very special Christmas for me" express a deep appreciation for the holiday season and the person being addressed. It suggests that their presence makes the festive season even more significant and memorable.
Overall, the lyrics of "This Christmas" convey a sense of excitement, anticipation, and love that characterizes the holiday season. The singer cherishes the prospect of getting to know someone better, enjoying fun activities together, and experiencing a very special and memorable Christmas.
Line by Line Meaning
Hang all the mistletoe
Let's hang the mistletoe as a symbol of our readiness to connect and build a deeper relationship
I'm gonna get to know you better
I am determined to understand you more fully and strengthen our bond
This Christmas
During this holiday season
And as we trim the tree
While we decorate the Christmas tree together
How much fun it's gonna be together
Anticipating the joy and excitement we will experience as a couple
Fireside is blazing bright
The fireplace is radiating warmth and creating a cozy atmosphere
We're caroling through the night
We are singing Christmas carols throughout the evening
And this Christmas will be
This particular holiday season is going to
A very special Christmas for me
Be an extraordinary and memorable Christmas for me
Oh, shake a hand, shake a hand now
Let's engage in friendly greetings and shake hands with others as a gesture of goodwill
Presents and cards are here
We have gifts and cards ready to be exchanged
My world is filled with cheer and you
You bring immense happiness and joy into my life, and it's reflected in my world
And as I look around
Observing my surroundings
Your eyes outshine the town, they do
Your eyes radiate so much love and happiness, even surpassing the holiday decorations
Oh oh, fireside is blazing bright
Once again, emphasizing the warm and inviting atmosphere created by the fireplace
And we're caroling through the night
We continue to sing Christmas carols throughout the night
This Christmas will be
This holiday season is going to
A very special Christmas for me
Be an especially remarkable Christmas for me
Oh
Expressing excitement and pleasure
Ooh
Indicating a sense of delight or anticipation
Mmhm, yeah
Affirmative response, acknowledging agreement or satisfaction
Have a merry Christmas
Wishing you a joyful and happy Christmas
Oh, shake a hand, alright
Let's continue to exchange friendly greetings and engage in handshakes
Mm, yeah, ooh, na na na na na na
Expressing delight, satisfaction, and enthusiasm through a melody
Lyrics Β© Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Donny Edward Hathaway, Nadine McKinnor
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind