The Tamlins were a reggae and dub vocal group in 1970's Jamaica. Composed o… Read Full Bio ↴The Tamlins were a reggae and dub vocal group in 1970's Jamaica. Composed of Carlton Smith, Junior Moore, and Derrick Lara, The Tamlins are among the most recognized backup singers in reggae especially for their years of international touring in support of Peter Tosh. They have backed John Holt, Delroy Wilson, Pat Kelly, and Marcia Griffiths, among others, as well as recording on their own. Having released one unsuccessful LP in 1976, they came to prominence in the late 1970s by releasing 12" singles in Jamaica for Channel One Studios, usually covering earlier rocksteady hits such as "Hard to Confess". They gained wider attention for their notable Sly and Robbie-produced version of the Randy Newman song, "Baltimore" (1979). The arrangement on that single was notably similar to that used on Nina Simone's cover of the song, released less than a year earlier. They also cut "Go Away Dream" for the same producers, while vocalist Lara enjoyed some solo success in the early 1980s. Lara's ethereally high lead vocals bring to mind the best of '70s Philly soul music, a style they have often covered.

Last Christmas
The Tamlins Lyrics

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(Merry Christmas)

Last Christmas I gave you my heart
But the very next day you gave it away
This year, to save me from tears
I'll give it to someone special

Last Christmas I gave you my heart

But the very next day you gave it away
This year, to save me from tears
I'll give it to someone special

Once bitten and twice shy
I keep my distance but you still catch my eyes
Tell me baby, do you recognize me?
Well this is funny, it doesn't surprise me

(Merry Christmas)
I wrapped it up and sent it
With a note saying, "I love you," I meant it
Now I know what a fool I've been
But if you kiss me now, I know you'd fool me again

Last Christmas I gave you my heart
But the very next day you gave it away
This year, to save me from tears
I'll give it to someone special

Last Christmas I gave you my heart
But the very next day you gave it away
This year, to save me from tears
I'll give it to someone special

A crowded room, friends with tired eyes
Someone hiding from you, soul revived
My God, I thought you were someone to rely on
Me? I guess I was a shoulder to cry on

Face on a lover with a fire in his heart
A man undercover just tore me apart
Now I've found a real love
You'll never fool me again

Last Christmas I gave you my heart
But the very next day you gave it away
This year, to save me from tears
I'll give it to someone special

Last Christmas I gave you my heart
But the very next day you gave it away

Overall Meaning

The Tamlins' "Last Christmas" song is a bittersweet Christmas song about a failed relationship. The song starts out with the singer reminiscing about the previous year's Christmas season where they gave their heart to someone who gave it away the next day. The singer attempts to move on from the pain of the previous year's heartbreak and decides to give their heart to someone special this year, trying to avoid the tears that accompanied last Christmas.

In the second verse, the singer reflects on their past experience and how they were once bitten and twice shy about love. The singer admits to still feeling drawn to their former lover, but also acknowledges that they were foolish to give their heart so freely to someone who would not value it. The singer also admits that they were once willing to be a shoulder to cry on for their former lover, but were let down in the end.

The song ends by expressing hope in finding real love and confidence in not letting anyone fool them again. "Last Christmas" is a poignant reminder that love and heartbreak are universal experiences, even during the holiday season.

Last ChristmasThe Tamlins Lyrics

Dakke Fernet

RingoFlicks

Last Christmas
The Tamlins Lyrics