The Puppini Sisters are a musical trio based in England specializing in 194… Read Full Bio ↴The Puppini Sisters are a musical trio based in England specializing in 1940s-style close harmony vocal music. Currently composed of Italian Marcella Puppini, English Emma Smith (from 2013) and Kate Mullins, their sound has been described as "swing-punk," as it is louder and more in-your-face than traditional swing music. The girls are quipped to have "harmonies so tight you could bounce a baby off them".

The group was founded in 2004 by Puppini after she was inspired by the 2003 animated film Les Triplettes de Belleville. The Puppini Sisters' debut single, "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy", is a cover of the iconic hit single by The Andrews Sisters, and although the three are not actually related, they named themselves in tribute to them.

Puppini first studied fashion design at St. Martins School of Art, and later music at Trinity College of Music where she met Mullins and Rosanna Schura, who was later replaced by Stephanie O'Brien. The Sisters are currently supported by a three-piece band featuring the talents of Blake Wilner on guitar, Peter Ibbetson on drums/percussion and Henrik Jensen on upright bass.

The Puppini Sisters won a Gold Disc for international sales of their first CD, Betcha Bottom Dollar, in 2007. According to their official website, the album reached #2 on the US Jazz Charts and #9 on the US New Artist Chart.

Their second album The Rise & Fall of Ruby Woo was released on October 15th 2007, featuring classic covers, 1940s style reworkings of contemporary music, and a selection of original compositions. According to Billboard's official website, the album peaked at #5 in the US Jazz Charts in 2008.

The Puppini Sisters' retro-styled website won the 2008 Cream of Yorkshire awards "Gold Award" for best website.

http://www.thepuppinisisters.com

Mele Kalikimaka
The Puppini Sisters Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Mele Kalikimaka is the thing to say
On a bright Hawaiian Christmas Day
That's the island greeting that we sing to you
From the land where palm trees sway

Here we know that Christmas
Will be green and bright
The sun to shine by day

And all the stars at night

Mele Kalikimaka is Hawaii's way
To say Merry Christmas to you

Mele Kalikimaka is the thing to say
On a bright Hawaiian Christmas Day
That's the island greeting that we sing to you
From the land where palm trees sway

Here we know that Christmas
Will be green and bright
The sun to shine by day
And all the stars at night

Mele Kalikimaka is Hawaii's way
To say Merry Christmas to you

Here we know that Christmas
Will be green and bright
The sun to shine by day
And all the stars at night

Mele Kalikimaka is Hawaii's way
To say Merry Christmas to you

Ba ba do dum, ba do da do dum
Ba do ba do, ba do, ba do do bum

Mele Kalikimaka is the thing to say
On a bright Hawaiian Christmas Day
That's the island greeting that we sing to you
From the land where palm trees sway

Here we know that Christmas
Will be green and bright
The sun to shine by day
And all the stars at night

Mele Kalikimaka is Hawaii's way
To say Merry Christmas
A very Merry Christmas

A very, very, Merry, Merry Christmas
To you

Overall Meaning

"Mele Kalikimaka" is a Hawaiian Christmas song that beautifully captures the spirit and essence of celebrating Christmas in Hawaii. The title itself is a phonetic translation of "Merry Christmas" into Hawaiian, and throughout the song, it emphasizes the unique and vibrant aspects of Christmas in the island paradise.

The song starts with the catchy chorus: "Mele Kalikimaka is the thing to say, On a bright Hawaiian Christmas Day." It immediately sets the tone and establishes that this is the traditional greeting they sing to wish others a Merry Christmas in Hawaii. The lyrics mention the palm trees swaying, representing the tropical setting and conveying the warm and relaxed atmosphere of celebrating Christmas in paradise.

Continuing, the song describes the characteristics of Christmas in Hawaii: the expectation of green and bright festivities, the sun shining during the day, and the beauty of the stars illuminating the nights. It reinforces that the magic of Christmas is not limited to snowy landscapes but can be experienced in a verdant and exotic environment like Hawaii. The repetition of these verses emphasizes the joyous and cheerful nature of the season.

Overall, "Mele Kalikimaka" celebrates the cultural diversity of Christmas and acknowledges that different places have their own unique ways of spreading holiday cheer. It offers a glimpse into the enchanting Hawaiian Christmas experience and invites listeners to embrace the beauty of Christmas in all its forms.

Line by Line Meaning

Mele Kalikimaka is the thing to say
Mele Kalikimaka is the ideal phrase to express

On a bright Hawaiian Christmas Day
During a cheerful Christmas Day in Hawaii

That's the island greeting that we sing to you
It's the traditional salutation from our island to you

From the land where palm trees sway
From the tropical region with swaying palm trees

Here we know that Christmas
In this place, we are aware that Christmas

Will be green and bright
Will be filled with lush greenery and radiant light

The sun to shine by day
The sun will brightly shine during the day

And all the stars at night
And all the stars will sparkle at night

Mele Kalikimaka is Hawaii's way
Mele Kalikimaka is the customary method in Hawaii

To say Merry Christmas to you
To convey a joyful Christmas message to you

Ba ba do dum, ba do da do dum
Instrumental section

Ba do ba do, ba do, ba do do bum
Instrumental section