Prior to signing with Arista Records in 2000, Vassar's songwriting talent was no stranger to the airwaves, penning number-one hits for some of the most popular country artists of the late 1990s: Jo Dee Messina ("Bye, Bye" and "I'm Alright"), Alan Jackson ("Right on the Money") and Tim McGraw ("My Next Thirty Years" and "For A Little While"). He has also written songs for Collin Raye ("Little Red Rodeo") and Blackhawk ("Postmarked Birmingham").
Vassar also co-owns a piano bar outside Nashville, Tennessee, where he performed his own material prior to signing a record deal.
Merry Christmas
Phil Vassar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The Christmas rush is through
But I still have one wish to make
A special one for you
Merry Christmas Darling
We're apart that's true
But I can dream and in my dreams
I'm Christmasing with you
There's always something new
But ev'ryday's a holiday
When I'm near to you
The lights on my tree
I wish you could see
I wish it ev'ry day
Logs on the fire
Fill me with desire
To see you and to say
That I wish you Merry Christmas
Happy New Year too
I've just one wish on this Christmas eve
I wish I were with you
The logs on the fire
Fill me with desire
To see you and to say
That I wish you Merry Christmas
Happy New Year too
I've just one wish on this Christmas eve
I wish I were with you
I wish I were with you
Phil Vassar's "Merry Christmas Darling" is a poignant song that tugs at the heartstrings of anyone who has ever missed someone special during the holiday season. In the song, Vassar paints a picture of a person who is wistfully dreaming about being with their loved one on Christmas day. The first stanza sets the tone for the song by describing how all the holiday preparations have been completed, but the singer still has one more wish to make. In the second stanza, Vassar expresses the yearning of being with someone special during the holidays, mentioning that "ev'ryday's a holiday when I'm near to you." The final stanza drives home the sentimentality of the song, with the singer expressing that they wish they were with their loved one on Christmas Eve.
One of the most compelling aspects of this song is its timeless quality. The original version was recorded by The Carpenters in 1970, and Vassar's version released in 2011 is still being played today. The song's message of longing and missing someone has resonated with countless people over the years, making it a holiday classic. Another interesting fact about the song is that Vassar's version features a duet with the legendary singer and actress, Tony Bennett.
The melody of "Merry Christmas Darling" is simple, yet elegant, and it complements the lyrics perfectly. The chords of the song also add to the dreamy quality of the piece, with the verses mostly using a combination of D, G, and A. The chorus, on the other hand, features F-sharp minor and E major chords, which have a more melancholic feel.
In conclusion, "Merry Christmas Darling" is a beautiful song that captures the tender emotions of longing and missing someone special during the holiday season. Its simple melody and heartfelt lyrics have stood the test of time, making it a beloved classic that continues to be played year after year.
Line by Line Meaning
Greeting cards have all been sent
All the holiday messages have been delivered
The Christmas rush is through
The busy shopping season has ended
But I still have one wish to make
Despite everything being over, there is still something I want
A special one for you
Something specific for the person I care about
Merry Christmas Darling
I hope you have a happy holiday
We're apart that's true
We are not together in person
But I can dream and in my dreams
I can imagine being with you through my thoughts
I'm Christmasing with you
I feel connected to you during this festive time
Holidays are joyful
This time of year is full of happiness
There's always something new
Each year brings its own unique experiences
But ev'ryday's a holiday
Being with you makes every day special like a holiday
When I'm near to you
Being in your presence is what makes me happy
The lights on my tree
The decorative lights on my Christmas tree
I wish you could see
I want you to share in the joy of my holiday decorations
I wish it ev'ry day
The desire to share with you is constant
Logs on the fire
The wood burning in the fireplace
Fill me with desire
I yearn for your company and presence
To see you and to say
I want to be with you and extend my holiday greetings
That I wish you Merry Christmas
I hope you have a happy holiday
Happy New Year too
I also wish you a joyous new year
I've just one wish on this Christmas eve
I have one special thing I want
I wish I were with you
I want to be physically present with you
The logs on the fire
The burning wood in the fireplace
Fill me with desire
The warmth of the fire makes me yearn for your companionship
To see you and to say
I want to be with you and express my sincere greetings
That I wish you Merry Christmas
I hope you have a happy holiday
Happy New Year too
I also wish you a joyous new year
I've just one wish on this Christmas eve
I am holding onto one particular desire this holiday season
I wish I were with you
Being with you is what I want most of all
Contributed by Jasmine K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
blackwhite more
This is beautiful! Phil you sound so good singing this song. You could start your own Ratt pack, maybe with a little Matt Dusk, Michael Buble', Jamie Cullum and Chris Botti. Sounds good to me!
Andrew j wheeler jr
a beautiful cover still love them all merry Christmas to all from brother Andrew Jr peace to all of you out there😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘.
Jymster46
Wonderful rendition of this Great Carpenters song...and a beautiful video by you, Heather! Loved It! The last pictures prompts me to say "Cheers"....and Merry Christmas to you, my friend :))
Jim
TheSorrowfulFlower
Impossible to top the Carpenters version, but I thought this one was nice, too. So glad you enjoyed it, Jim! Thanks so much for watching and commenting. Cheers and Merry Christmas to you as well, my friend :))
claude vallieres
Very nice song from the Carpenters,,,, to be honest I prefer Phil Vassar version