Among a number of groups who helped define the Motown Sound of the 1960s, including The Miracles, The Marvelettes, The Temptations and The Supremes, The Four Tops were notable for having Stubbs, a baritone, as their lead singer; most groups of the time were fronted by a tenor. The group was the main male vocal group for the songwriting and production team of Holland-Dozier-Holland, who crafted for the group a stream of popular hit singles, including two #1 hits: "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)" and "Reach Out I'll Be There". After Holland-Dozier-Holland left Motown in 1967, the Four Tops were assigned to a number of producers, primarily Frank Wilson. When Motown left Detroit in 1972 to move to Los Angeles, California, the Tops stayed in Detroit and moved over to ABC Records, where they continued to have charting singles into the late-1970s. Since the 1980s, The Four Tops have recorded for, at various times, Motown, Casablanca Records, and Arista Records.
As an unofficial record, it is believed that The Four Tops were the band to continue performing the longest without a lineup change. Levi Stubbs, Abdul Fakir, Renaldo Benson and Lawrence Payton sang together as the Four Tops from 1954 until 1997, when Lawrence Payton died of cancer. That's an astonishing 43 years without a lineup change. The three surviving members continued to tour as "The Tops."
Christmas Here With You
The Four Tops Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Getting ready for some Christmas cheer
With you and mom and dad
And grandma is coming, too
And I am looking forward to
Mistletoe and kissing you
And all the love and joy it brings
Having Christmas here with you
But I feel warmer than a summer night
'Cause deep in my heart I know
The time has come again
To be with all my family
As we gather around the Christmas tree
All the love and joy I see
Having Christmas here with you
Merry Christmas, baby merry Christmas, love
There's my Uncle Bill, my sister Jill
And my cousin Syl (Santa Claus is coming)
What a great day hark the herald angels sing
Glory to thе newborn king
Chestnuts roasting on an open firе
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
(Merry Christmas) we're all gathered here
Getting ready for some Christmas cheer
With you and mom and dad
And grandma is coming, too
And I am looking forward to
A mistletoe, kissing you
And all the love and joy it brings
Having Christmas here with you
It's cold outside
But I feel warmer than a summer night
'Cause deep in my heart I know
The time has come again
To be with all my family
All gathered around the Christmas tree
And all the love and joy I see
Having Christmas here with you
I am looking for to
The mistletoe and kissing you
All the love and joy I see
Having Christmas here with you
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas to you
I am looking forward to
The mistletoe and kissing you
The lyrics to "Christmas Here With You" by The Four Tops and Aretha Franklin depict the anticipation and excitement of being together with loved ones during Christmas. The song sets the scene of a family gathering, with parents, grandparents, and other relatives coming together to celebrate the holiday season. The singer expresses their eagerness to experience the joy and love that Christmas brings, highlighting the special moments of mistletoe and kissing that symbolize affection and togetherness.
The lyrics evoke a warm and joyful atmosphere, emphasizing the importance of family and the happiness that comes from being surrounded by loved ones during this festive time. The song reflects on the cold weather outside, but contrasts it with the warmth felt in the singer's heart, knowing that the time has come to gather with family and create lasting memories.
The repetition of "Merry Christmas, baby" in the chorus adds a cheerful and celebratory tone, further emphasizing the joyous occasion. The song also references familiar Christmas traditions such as roasting chestnuts and the image of Jack Frost nipping at one's nose, creating a nostalgic and nostalgic atmosphere.
Overall, "Christmas Here With You" beautifully captures the anticipation, love, and joy that fill the air during the holiday season, reminding listeners of the true meaning of Christmas - being together with loved ones and creating cherished moments.
Line by Line Meaning
As we're all gathered here
We are all coming together in one place
Getting ready for some Christmas cheer
Preparing for joyful festivities associated with Christmas
With you and mom and dad
Being in the company of you, my mother, and my father
And grandma is coming, too
And my grandmother will also be joining us
And I am looking forward to
I am eagerly anticipating
Mistletoe and kissing you
The tradition of sharing kisses under the mistletoe with you
And all the love and joy it brings
And the feeling of love and happiness it brings
Having Christmas here with you
Experiencing the celebration of Christmas in your presence
It's cold outside
The weather outside is chilly
But I feel warmer than a summer night
But inside, I feel a warmth that surpasses a summer night
'Cause deep in my heart I know
Because I have a deep knowing in my heart
The time has come again
The time for this occasion has arrived once more
To be with all my family
To be together with all my relatives
As we gather around the Christmas tree
As we come together near the Christmas tree
All the love and joy I see
Witnessing and experiencing all the love and happiness
Having Christmas here with you
Experiencing the celebration of Christmas in your presence
Merry Christmas, baby merry Christmas, love
Wishing a joyful Christmas to you, my love
There's my Uncle Bill, my sister Jill
My Uncle Bill and my sister Jill are present
And my cousin Syl (Santa Claus is coming)
And my cousin Syl is also here (Santa Claus is arriving)
What a great day hark the herald angels sing
This is a wonderful day, with the joyful singing of the herald angels
Glory to the newborn king
Praising and celebrating the birth of the newborn king
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Cooking chestnuts over an open flame
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Feeling the cold bite of Jack Frost on your nose
(Merry Christmas) we're all gathered here
(Merry Christmas) We have come together in one place
A mistletoe, kissing you
Engaging in kisses under the mistletoe with you
And all the love and joy it brings
And the feeling of love and happiness it brings
Having Christmas here with you
Experiencing the celebration of Christmas in your presence
Merry Christmas
Wishing a joyful Christmas
Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas
Wishing a doubly joyful Christmas
Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas to you
Wishing a doubly joyful Christmas to you
I am looking forward to
I am eagerly anticipating
The mistletoe and kissing you
Engaging in kisses under the mistletoe with you
All the love and joy I see
Witnessing and experiencing all the love and happiness
Having Christmas here with you
Experiencing the celebration of Christmas in your presence
Merry Christmas
Wishing a joyful Christmas
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Deborah Cox
This has become my all time favorite Christmas Song. The first time I heard it I broke down in tears, both bittersweet, happy and sad because the memories it evokes have been such a big part of my family life. We are a large family, with many losses, but still so much to be grateful for. Merry Christmas to all and Happy New Year. Debbie Cox of Boston, MA
julesmonroe47
Yes, Yes, Yes. God Bless You, Deborah !
billwings2
Wow...this is great...with Aretha's interlude being a pleasant surprise. This brings joy and tears...I miss the Tops. health and long life to you Duke Fakir.
daddybear443
This groups song bring tears of joy to me. RIP MR. STUBBs
Jules Monroe
Yes he was !!!!
Donielle Stenson
he was magnificent ,wasnt he???
MrMartybearass
WOW have not heard this in years!!!! what a classic!!!
Dizzy Storms
I heard this song for the first time last Christmas & I loved it. Great colabaration.
Amethyst70
Yes - what a tremendous collaboration! 👏🏾🎼❤
xfriend Pendleton
Me too