The group gained some notoriety when a single from its first album, Blood and Roses, was included on the soundtrack for and as the theme song of the 1986 Albert Pyun movie Dangerously Close and the video got some moderately heavy rotation on MTV. The group spent some time in its initial semi-celebrity phase defending itself in Rolling Stone against thinly-veiled accusations of sounding too much like The Byrds and The Beatles, pointing out that its Marshall Amplifier-heavy live sound was closer to heavy metal than it was to The Beatles.
Along with a basic Eastern-coast roots-rock sound that owed much to the inspirations of DiNizio, including Buddy Holly, The Who, The Clash, Elvis Costello, and Nick Lowe, the Smithereens deployed a uniquely retro obsession with Mod, the late British Invasion pop of John's Children and The Move, and other artifacts of fifties and sixties culture that lent its music substance and style. The highest position a Smithereens album attained on the Billboard pop charts was in 1990, when 11 peaked at #41 on the strength of the single A Girl Like You (which hit #38). The group is still active and tours frequently, but went for seven years without releasing a new studio album, following God Save the Smithereens in 1999.
In January 2007, the band released a cover of the album Meet the Beatles titled Meet the Smithereens. Bassist Mike Mesaros does not appear on the album, replaced by Severo "The Thrilla" Jornacion . An album of original material was promised for later in the year, but Christmas with The Smithereens, released in October 2007, included only three original songs along with nine covers of Christmas songs.
Christmas
The Smithereens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They get so excited
Waking up on Christmas morning
Hours before the winter sun's ignited
They believe in dreams and all they mean
Including heavens generosity
Peeping 'round the door
And Tommy doesn't know what day it is
He doesn't know who Jesus was or what praying is
How can he be saved from the eternal grave?
Surrounded by his friends he sits so silently
And unaware of everything
Playing poxy pinball
Picks his nose and smiles and pokes his tongue at everything
I believe in love but how can men
Who've never seen light be enlightened?
Only if he's cured
Will his spirits future level ever heighten
And Tommy doesn't know what day it is
He doesn't know who Jesus was or what praying is
How can he be saved from the eternal grave?
Tommy can you hear me? Tommy can you hear me?
Tommy can you hear me? Tommy can you hear me?
Tommy can you hear me?
Can you, can you, can you hear me?
How can he be saved?
Did you ever see the faces of the children
They get so excited
Waking up on Christmas morning
Hours before the winter sun's ignited
They believe in dreams and all they mean
Including heavens generosity
Peeping 'round the door
To see what parcels are for free in curiosity
And Tommy doesn't know what day it is
He doesn't know who Jesus was or what praying is
How can he be saved from the eternal grave?
The Smithereens' song "Christmas" is a poignant reflection on the joys and struggles of the holiday season. The opening verse sets the scene by describing the excitement of children waking up on Christmas morning, eager to unwrap their presents and revel in the magic of the holiday. However, the second verse introduces a darker note by introducing the character of Tommy, who is oblivious to the significance of the day and unaware of religious traditions like praying.
The song raises questions about the nature of salvation and enlightenment, suggesting that these spiritual concepts may be out of reach for those who have never experienced them. The final chorus repeats the earlier verses, emphasizing the contrast between the innocent joy of the children and the underlying sadness and confusion of Tommy.
One possible interpretation of the song is that it is a commentary on the commercialization of Christmas and the way that the holiday season can obscure the true meaning of the holiday. Another interpretation is that it is a reflection on the challenges faced by those who are not part of the dominant religious culture and who may struggle to find meaning in the holiday traditions that surround them.
Line by Line Meaning
Did you ever see the faces of the children
Have you ever witnessed the joyous expressions of children
They get so excited
They become incredibly thrilled
Waking up on Christmas morning
Rising early on the day of Christmas
Hours before the winter sun's ignited
Way before the morning sun has begun to rise during the winter season
They believe in dreams and all they mean
They have faith in aspirations and their implications
Including heavens generosity
This includes the benevolence of heaven
Peeping 'round the door
Sneaking a glance from around the door
To see what parcels are for free in curiosity
To observe which gifts are theirs out of inquisitiveness
And Tommy doesn't know what day it is
Tommy is unaware of the current date
He doesn't know who Jesus was or what praying is
He is ignorant of Jesus and the concept of prayer
How can he be saved from the eternal grave?
How can Tommy avoid eternal damnation?
Surrounded by his friends he sits so silently
He is sitting quietly in the company of his pals
And unaware of everything
He is oblivious of his surroundings
Playing poxy pinball
Engrossed in a poor quality pinball game
Picks his nose and smiles and pokes his tongue at everything
He amuses himself by nose-picking, smiling and sticking his tongue out at every opportunity
I believe in love but how can men
I have faith in love, but how can people
Who've never seen light be enlightened?
Who have never seen the light, how can they be illuminated?
Only if he's cured
Only if he is healed
Will his spirits future level ever heighten
Will his state of mind ever improve
Tommy can you hear me?
Tommy, are you able to hear me?
Can you, can you, can you hear me?
Are you able to hear me, Tommy?
How can he be saved?
How can Tommy be redeemed?
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robert Cochran
on Blood And Roses
The Ulgiest Cool Band in the World
Tony C.
on I Don't Want To Lose You
The lyrics listed on here are for the song "Especially For You", rather than "I Don't Want to Lose You". Ironically, "Especially For You" isn't the title track from their full length debut, it's from their second studio album 'Green Thoughts'.