XTC “Thanks for Christmas”

Each year when driving to my mom’s house for Christmas, I force myself to get in the spirit by playing this song in my car. It always works.  Andy and Colin allow themselves to get caught up in the celebratory spirit–which is enough of a shock from these oft-curmudgeonly souls–but not enough to reduce the music to a carol. Originally the A-Side of a holiday single from 1989, “Thanks for Christmas” (mp3) can be found on their 1990 odds ‘n sods comp Rag & Bone Buffet. They apparently had some extra studio time, and they pull out all the stops, dropping a synthesized French Horn, jingle bells, tinkling xylophones and heavily echoed vocals into the mix, all at the service of a classic XTC melody. The lyrics are a trifle, but then shouldn’t they be? Just try to get this song out of your head on 12/25. I never can.

Buy Rag & Bone Buffet here. Musician magazine said of it: “…the tunes these guys throw away are worth more than some bands’ careers“, to which Andy Partridge said: “Frankly, this album has some of the best work we’ve ever done. And some of the worst.”

Filed under: Xmas  XTC