The band's name was a reference to the payola scandal in the United States in the early 1960s. The group was formed in Vancouver, British Columbia and recorded mostly at Vancouver's Little Mountain Sound. Through several lineup changes and name changes (the band also played as The Payola$, Paul Hyde and the Payolas and Rock and Hyde), the Payolas core members remained Paul Hyde and Bob Rock, who together wrote virtually all of the band's songs. As well, Rock engineered and mixed virtually every Payola$ recording.
Although the band always seemed poised for a big international breakthrough, The Payola$ never quite broke out despite their artistic growth and popular success. They were, however, one of the most prominent and successful platinum-selling Canadian bands of the early 1980s.
After a long hiatus that saw Bob Rock producing Metallica and a host of other bands and Paul Hyde recording four solo albums, they got back together in 2007 and released 'Langford Part One', a seven song mini C.D., distributed by EMI records. Plans for 2008 include a full C.D. to be released in the summer and a tour of Canada.
Christmas Is Coming
Payolas 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 song "Christmas is Coming" by Payolas is about the anticipation of the holiday season and the longing for loved ones. The lyrics describe the mundane and challenging aspects of everyday life, with the singers being stuck in the same place and facing financial difficulties. The singer laments about the lack of material possessions and comfort, such as holes in their shoes and a leaking kitchen. The Christmas season is a time of hope and joy, but the singers express a sense of loneliness and isolation, as they are unable to be with the people they care for.
The lines "Been down to the UI" and "Been down on my welfare" suggest that the singers have had to go to a government office seeking assistance due to their financial struggles. However, despite these challenges, the singers are content with their circumstances and remain hopeful for the future. They eagerly await Christmas and wish for the presence of their loved ones. The repetition of "I wish you were here" emphasizes the longing and loneliness that the singers feel during the holiday season.
In summary, the song "Christmas is Coming" is a reflection on the isolation and longing for loved ones that many people feel during the holiday season. It acknowledges the hardships of daily life but also expresses a sense of hope and contentment.
Line by Line Meaning
Christmas is coming
The holiday season is approaching
It's been a long year
The past year has been difficult and challenging
I'm still in the same place
I haven't made much progress in life
We're still over here
We're still in the same situation as before
Go down to the market
Visit the market and experience the festivities
Get lost in the crowd
Joining the crowd and feeling the holiday spirit
Go home to my records
Listening to music and finding comfort in it
I play them too loud
Finding solace in the music and enjoying it too much
I wish you were here
I miss you and wish you were with me
Been down to the UI
Having to visit the UI (unemployment insurance) due to job loss
And nothing but queues
Having to wait in long lines at the UI office
Been down on my welfare
Having to rely on welfare assistance to make ends meet
With holes in my shoes
Living in poverty and not being able to afford new shoes
The kitchen's still leaking
The apartment still has maintenance issues despite repeated complaints to the landlord
With floods on the floor
The apartment has a serious water leakage problem that has yet to be fixed
The landlord will fix it
The landlord has promised to fix the apartment's maintenance issues
He only wants more
The landlord only cares about collecting rent and not about the tenants' living conditions
But I'm not complaining
Despite the difficulties, I am grateful and content with what I have
I'm happy, you see?
I am optimistic despite the challenges I face
And I'm still here waiting
I am still hopeful and waiting for things to get better
So come and see me
I want to spend time with you and feel your presence during the holidays
I wish you were
I miss you dearly and long for your company
Here
With me for the holidays.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bob Rock, Paul Hyde
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mike Valbuena
For years I had this song on a KROQ tape I recorded off the radio and for years I had no idea who it was. I asked people for years if they knew who it was and nothing! Finally, after searching and digging I finally found this album and the mystery was solved! It's one of my favorite KROQ XMAS songs of all time!
FirstJessie Lastdan
I love this song! Thanks for posting.
David Rodriguez
I know it's about as schmaltzy as you can get, but this Yuletide Bad-Boy still brings it all home for me. Thanks Payolas! Love you Mary and Paula.
Lee Sanders
LOVE THIS SONG!
Robert Arthur
Great song!!!
GREG WOIKEN
Merry Christmas everyone! thankyou paul hyde such awesome memories everytime i hear this
Brother Neil
I just heard this song on FM in Toronto on boom 97.3 on Tuesday, December 25, 2018 and the riff sounded familiar. Paul Hyde should get credit/royalties for writing the theme music to Beverly Hills, 90210... the Payolas got ripped off!
sandirandy
love :)
Laura Suttell
I owned this record. It was green.
Odelay Derado
I landed on welfare after buying everyone’s gifts