There has been some confusion about who created the song's famous bassline. John Deacon said (in Japanese magazine Musiclife in 1982, and in the previously mentioned French magazine) that David Bowie had created it. In more recent interviews, Queen guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor have credited the bass riff to Deacon; Bowie also said on his website that the bassline was already written before he became involved. In any case, the September 2005 edition of online music magazine Stylus singled out the bassline as the best in popular music history.
In 1999, a set of remixes of "Under Pressure" was commisioned as a single, with the so-called 'RAW Mix' as the main single version. The artists were credited as Queen + Bowie (or Queen / Bowie on some versions), in similar fashion to Queen collaborations prior and following this single (with Five, Wyclef Jean and Paul Rodgers, to name a few). The remix single was issued to promote the album "Greatest Hits III", which mainly featured collaborations, Queen hits released after Mercury's passing away and solo material by both Freddie and Brian. The "Under Pressure" single embarked on the holiday season of '99 by the inclusion of the non-album Christmas song "Thank God It's Christmas" and the classic 1975 version of "Bohemian Rhapsody" as B-sides. The updated version of "Under Pressure" maintains to be one of Queen's most successful remixes, far ahead of reworked mixes of "We Will Rock You", "Flash", and "Another One Bites The Dust", although the original version's usually being played on the radio. Quite remarkable was the video to "Under Pressure '99", which, for the first time, showed Queen and Bowie perform the song together (although this was accomplished through clever editing, rather than actual performance footage). The orginal 1980 music video was made using old motion picture footage and does not feature the artists.
Rapper Vanilla Ice sampled this song without permission for his biggest hit, the commercially successful Ice Ice Baby. His response to criticism relied upon the addition of one note not present in the original. No lawsuit was filed, but the band has said that Vanilla Ice settled out of court with Queen and Bowie.
Thank God It's Christmas
Queen & David Bowie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, my friends, we've had our hopes and fears
Oh, my friends, it's been a long hard year
But now it's Christmas
Yes, it's Christmas
Thank God it's Christmas
Let's hope the snow will make this Christmas right
My friends, the world will share this special night
Because it's Christmas
Yes, it's Christmas
Thank God it's Christmas
For one night
Thank God it's Christmas, yeah
Thank God it's Christmas
Thank God it's Christmas
Can it be Christmas?
Let it be Christmas
Every day
Oh, my love, we live in troubled days
Oh, my friend, we have the strangest ways
All my friends on this one day of days
Thank God it's Christmas
Yes, it's Christmas
Thank God it's Christmas
For one day
Thank God it's Christmas
Yes, it's Christmas
Thank God it's Christmas
Ooh, yeah
Thank God it's Christmas
Yes, yes, yes, yes it's Christmas
Thank God it's Christmas
For one day
A very merry Christmas to you all
The song Thank God It's Christmas, performed by Queen and David Bowie, seems to be a reflection on the hardships and struggles of life that have been experienced by the singer and their friends and loved ones throughout the year leading up to Christmas. The opening lyrics address both their love and their friends, acknowledging the experiences of tears, hopes, and fears they have shared. The repetition of the phrase "Oh, my friends" almost serves as a call to solidarity, implying that everyone listening has experienced difficulties of their own. Despite this, the chorus repeats the sentiment "Thank God it's Christmas," implying that there is still something to be grateful for even amidst hardship.
The next verse speaks to a sense of loneliness or isolation, with the moon and stars being described as "cold and bright" and the hope that snow will make things "right". However, the singer also acknowledges that this is a special night that the whole world shares. The repetition of the chorus again emphasizes the relief and joy associated with Christmas, but with the added emphasis on it being "for one night." The final verse seems to broaden the scope, referring to "troubled days" and "strangest ways." But again, the song ends with an uplifting message, wishing everyone a merry Christmas.
Overall, the song seems to emphasize the idea that even in difficult times, there is always something to be grateful for, and Christmas serves as a reminder of this. The repetition of the chorus and the use of phrases like "my friends" create a sense of community and shared experience that many people can relate to. Bowie's voice in particular adds a sense of warmth and comfort to the song that reinforces this message of hope and togetherness.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, my love, we've had our share of tears
My love, we have gone through difficult times and shed tears together.
Oh, my friends, we've had our hopes and fears
My dear friends, we have experienced moments of hope and fear in all the things that we went through.
Oh, my friends, it's been a long hard year
Dear friends, we have toiled and struggled throughout the year that's just ending.
But now it's Christmas
Fortunately, it's now time for Christmas.
Yes, it's Christmas
It is, no doubt, the season of Christmas.
Thank God it's Christmas
We are overwhelmingly grateful that Christmas is here.
The moon and stars seem awful cold and bright
The moonlight and starshine appears cold but mesmerizingly vibrant tonight under a clear sky.
Let's hope the snow will make this Christmas right
We hope that the snowfall tonight will make this Christmas perfect.
My friends, the world will share this special night
My dear friends, the whole world joins us to share this wonderful night together.
Because it's Christmas
The reason why all of us celebrate tonight is to cherish the birth of Christ.
For one night
Even though it's just for one night, let us immerse ourselves in the spirit of Christmas.
Thank God it's Christmas, yeah
Yes, it's a celebration of Christmas, we are so grateful for it.
Can it be Christmas?
Is it really Christmas already?
Let it be Christmas
Let's assume it is Christmas tonight.
Every day
But despite being Christmastime, we should try to make every day feel equally special.
Oh, my love, we live in troubled days
My love, it's true that we live in extremely turbulent and uncertain times.
Oh, my friend, we have the strangest ways
My dear friend, humans have an unparalleled way of doing things sometimes.
All my friends on this one day of days
All my dear friends, it's this one special day of the year.
Ooh, yeah
That's right.
A very merry Christmas to you all
I would like to extend my heartfelt wishes to each and every one of you for a joyous Christmas.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Roger Taylor, Brian May
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nandika Prashar
LYRICS-
Oh my love
We've had our share of tears
Oh my friends
We've had our hopes and fears
Oh my friends
It's been a long hard year
But now it's Christmas
Yes, it's Christmas
Thank God it's Christmas
The moon and stars seem awful cold and bright
Let's hope
The snow will make this Christmas right
My friend the world
Will share this special night
Because it's Christmas
Yes it's Christmas
Thank God it's Christmas For One Night
Thank God it's Christmas, yeah
Thank God it's Christmas
Thank God it's Christmas
Can it be Christmas?
Let it be Christmas
Every day
Oh my love
We live in troubled days
Oh my friend
We have the strangest ways
All my friends
On this one day of days
Thank God it's Christmas
Yes it's Christmas
Thank God it's Christmas For One Day
Thank God it's Christmas
Yes it's Christmas
Thank God it's Christmas
Ooh yeah
Thank God it's Christmas
Yes yes yes yes it's Christmas
Thank God it's Christmas
For
One
Day
<3 we love you freddie
비정한세상
Oh my love
We've had our share of tears
Oh my friends
We've had our hopes and fears
Oh my friends
It's been a long hard year
But now it's Christmas
Yes, it's Christmas
Thank God it's Christmas
The moon and stars seem awful cold and bright
Let's hope
The snow will make this Christmas right
My friend the world
Will share this special night
Because it's Christmas
Yes it's Christmas
Thank God it's Christmas For One Night
Thank God it's Christmas, yeah
Thank God it's Christmas
Thank God it's Christmas
Can it be Christmas?
Let it be Christmas
Every day
Oh my love
We live in troubled days
Oh my friend
We have the strangest ways
All my friends
On this one day of days
Thank God it's Christmas
Yes it's Christmas
Thank God it's Christmas For One Day
Thank God it's Christmas
Yes it's Christmas
Thank God it's Christmas
Ooh yeah
Thank God it's Christmas
Yes yes yes yes it's Christmas
Thank God it's Christmas
For
One
Day
Candice
All we can say is
Thank You Queen
Виктория Брагинец
Omg!!! Cool 😎 👍
L. Wall.
Cevorter ❣️ SHAME ON YOU!!!
Zach
Your profile pic is weird
Ploppy JR
Thank you FREDDIE, there is a difference.
cata
Cevorter oh please! Don't say that. I mean people can feel insecure so please try to not say that :( everyone has the rights to like any type of music if he likes rappers doesn't mean he doesn't deserve to see queen. So please respect others opinion 💜
Karespi 2008
Excelente canción navideña! Me genera muchísima nostalgia! Excelente voz de Freddy! Que viva Queen!
Graciela Honig
Omg! This music is so beautiful and Freddie's voice is simply soberb! ❤
Carmen Gómez
Qué preciosidad de canción! Te echamos de menos, Freddie, SIEMPRE. Gracias QUEEN por existir. 😘 Saludos desde Jaén, España.
Julia Martinez
Pienso como tú saludos desde Tarragona España