The band's name is a reference to the payola scandal in the United States in the early 1960s. The group was based in Vancouver, British Columbia, and recorded mostly at Vancouver's Little Mountain Sound Studios. Through several lineup changes and name changes (the band also played as The Payola$, Paul Hyde and the Payolas and Rock and Hyde), the Payolas core members remained Paul Hyde and Bob Rock, who together wrote virtually all of the band's songs. As well, Rock engineered and mixed virtually every Payolas recording.
Although in the 1980s the Payolas always seemed poised for a big international breakthrough, the band never quite broke out despite their artistic growth and popular success in Canada. They were, however, one of the most prominent and successful platinum-selling Canadian bands of the early 1980s.
Christmas Is Coming
Payola$ Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's been a long year
I'm still in the same place
We're still over here
Go down to the market
Get lost in the crowd
Go home to my records
Christmas is coming
It's been a long year
I wish you were here
Been down to the UI
And nothing but queues
Been down on my welfare
With holes in my shoes
The kitchen's still leaking
With floods on the floor
The landlord will fix it
He only wants more
Christmas is coming it's been a long year
I wish you were here, I wish you were here
Christmas is coming
It's been a long year
I wish you were here, I wish you were here
Been down to the UI
And nothing but queues
Been down outta welfare
With holes in my shoes
But I'm not complaining
I'm happy, you see?
And I'm still here waiting
So come and see me
Christmas is coming
It's been a long year
I wish you were here, I wish you were here
I wish you were here, I wish you were
I wish you were, I wish you were
Here
I wish you were here, I wish you were
I wish you were, I wish you were
Here
The lyrics of "Christmas Is Coming" by Payola$ are a melancholic reflection on the holiday season for those who are struggling financially, and who are missing someone special in their lives. The opening lines "Christmas is coming, It's been a long year, I'm still in the same place, We're still over here" set a sad tone for the rest of the song. The reference to "the market" and getting lost in the crowd suggests a feeling of being lost, overwhelmed, and powerless for the singer. This sense of powerlessness and being trapped in a cycle is further emphasized by lines such as "Been down to the UI, And nothing but queues, Been down on my welfare, With holes in my shoes". These lines speak to the struggles of poverty and the treadmills people in financially challenging situations must endure.
Line by Line Meaning
Christmas is coming
The holiday season is approaching
It's been a long year
This year has felt very lengthy
I'm still in the same place
I haven't progressed much this year
We're still over here
Our situation hasn't changed
Go down to the market
I visit a crowded marketplace
Get lost in the crowd
I immerse myself in the bustling group of people
Go home to my records
I return to my collection of music
I play them too loud
I listen to my music at high volume
I wish you were here
I miss someone and want them to be with me
Been down to the UI
I've been to the unemployment office
And nothing but queues
I've only encountered long lines
Been down on my welfare
I've been struggling financially
With holes in my shoes
My footwear is damaged
The kitchen's still leaking
There's still a plumbing issue in my kitchen
With floods on the floor
Water has accumulated on the ground
The landlord will fix it
The building owner will take care of the problem
He only wants more
The landlord is only concerned with making more money
But I'm not complaining
Despite my difficulties, I'm content
I'm happy, you see?
I'm actually quite satisfied with my life
And I'm still here waiting
I'm still anticipating the arrival of the holiday season
So come and see me
I invite someone to visit me
Here
At my current location
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bob Rock, Paul Hyde
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Roxy-ch4gv
Its just not Christmas without this song
@gregpineda8660
One of the best Christmas songs ever produced and it's Pure Canadiana!!! And Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.
@jimmyyessianvideos5632
I have been looking for this song for so long. I love it. Me mom died around this time and I played a million times on a cassette I made for the radio.
@Roxy-ch4gv
Hugs man. My mom died a year before. This was a rough period for me too.
@tallmengroup4501
@@Roxy-ch4gv Thanks Roxy. I feel ya. Peace
@pete5534
This song (and entire album) will cry you clean. All the best Jimmy.
@randyallen7421
One of my favorite Christmas songs!
@dongravelle1909
I NEVER let a Christmas go by without listening to this one at least a few dozen times! 'Christmas is coming! It's been a long year!...'
@jimjohhnston9992
This one never gets old
@DrTofutybeast
Always loved this underrated classic album and song. Great voice and writing...
Performance is enough to make me break thru all the christmas crap.