Jump to content

Wonderful Christmastime

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Docstevens (talk | contribs) at 21:35, 30 July 2017 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McCartney_II). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

"Wonderful Christmastime"
Song
B-side"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reggae"

"Wonderful Christmastime" is a 1979 Christmas song by Paul McCartney. It enjoys significant Christmas time popularity around the world. The song was later added as a bonus track on the 1993 CD reissue of Wings' Back to the Egg album.[1]

The track was included as a bonus track on Disc 2 of the 2011 "Special Edition" and "Deluxe Edition" reissue of the McCartney II album. A full, unedited version is included on Disc 3 of the Deluxe Edition. The track was also mixed in 5.1 surround sound for inclusion on the 2007 DVD release The McCartney Years.

Background and recording

McCartney recorded the song entirely on his own during the sessions for his solo project McCartney II. Although the members of Wings are not on the recording, they do appear in the promotional music video,[2] which was filmed at the Fountain Inn in Ashurst, West Sussex. [3] It also includes footage filmed at the Hippodrome Theatre in Eastbourne, where McCartney rehearsed his 1979 UK tour. [citation needed]

"Wonderful Christmastime" can be heard in the 1998 animated film Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie during Santa's takeoff on Christmas Eve. Wings performed the song during their 1979 tour of the UK.[4]

Reception and legacy

Following its release as a stand-alone single in the United Kingdom, "Wonderful Christmastime" peaked at No. 6 on the UK Singles Chart the week ending 5 January 1980.[5] In the United States the single peaked at No. 83 on the Cash Box Top 100 Singles chart and No. 94 on the Record World Singles Chart, but did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100.[6]

In December 1984, the single appeared at No. 10 for two weeks on Billboard's Christmas singles chart.[7] It also reached No. 29 on Billboard's weekly Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart in early January 1996.[7]

The song continues to receive substantial annual festive airplay, although some music critics consider "Wonderful Christmastime" to be one of McCartney's mediocre compositions.[8][9][10] Beatles author Robert Rodriguez has written of "Wonderful Christmastime": "Love it or hate it, few songs within the McCartney oeuvre have provoked such strong reactions."[9]

Including royalties from cover versions, it is estimated that McCartney makes $400,000 a year from this song, which puts its cumulative earnings at near $15 million.[11]

Personnel

Kylie Minogue version

"Wonderful Christmastime"
Song

Australian singer Kylie Minogue and British singer-songwriter Mika covered the song for Minogue's reissue Kylie Christmas: Snow Queen Edition (2016). The song was released as album's second single on 9 December 2016 by Parlophone.[12]

The song was performed on 6 December 2016 by Minogue and Mika on Italian programme Stasera Casa Mika.[13]

Charts

Chart (2016) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[14] 23

Release history

Region Date Format(s) Label Ref.
Italy 9 December 2016 Contemporary hit radio Warner Music Group [15]

Other notable versions

References

  1. ^ Stephen Thomas Erlewhine, "Paul McCartney/Wings Back to the Egg (Bonus Tracks)", Allmusic (retrieved 30 December 2012).
  2. ^ Chip Madinger & Mark Easter, Eight Arms to Hold You: The Solo Beatles Compendium, 44.1 Productions (Chesterfield, MO, 2000; ISBN 0-615-11724-4), p. 251.
  3. ^ Sawday, Alastair (6 December 2007). "Top 10 cosy pubs". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media Ltd. Retrieved 13 December 2009.
  4. ^ Chip Madinger & Mark Easter, Eight Arms to Hold You: The Solo Beatles Compendium, 44.1 Productions (Chesterfield, MO, 2000; ISBN 0-615-11724-4), p. 254.
  5. ^ "Official Charts: Paul McCartney". The Official UK Charts Company. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
  6. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2015). The Comparison Book. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. p. 333. ISBN 0-89820-213-2.
  7. ^ a b Whitburn, Joel (2004). Christmas in the Charts (1920-2004). Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. p. 48. ISBN 0-89820-161-6.
  8. ^ Craig Outhier, "Paul McCartney's Worst Songs", Phoenix New Times, 25 March 2010 (retrieved 30 December 2012).
  9. ^ a b Robert Rodriguez, Fab Four FAQ 2.0: The Beatles' Solo Years, 1970−1980, Backbeat Books (Milwaukee, WI, 2010; ISBN 978-1-4165-9093-4), p. 191.
  10. ^ Alan Clayson, Paul McCartney, Sanctuary (London, 2003; ISBN 1-86074-486-9), pp 192–93.
  11. ^ "Paul McCartney Continues to Have a Wonderful (Financial) Christmas Time", blogs.forbes.com, 23 December 2010 (retrieved 15 December 2011).
  12. ^ "Kylie Minogue - Wonderful Christmastime (with MIKA) (Radio Date: 09-12-2016)". 9 December 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  13. ^ "Mika, per Natale duetto con Kylie Minogue e poi a Stasera Casa Mika". http://tvzap.kataweb.it/. 28 November 2016. Retrieved 1 December 2016. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
  14. ^ "Kylie Minogue & Mika – Wonderful Christmastime" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 24 December 2016.
  15. ^ "Kylie Minogue - Wonderful Christmastime (with MIKA) (Radio Date: 09-12-2016)". 9 December 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  16. ^ Jurek, Thom. "Review of The Ultimate Gift". Allmusic. Retrieved 9 December 2009.
  17. ^ "Holiday Havoc: The Venture Bros". Quick Stop Entertainment. Retrieved 23 December 2008.
  18. ^ "Paul McCartney, Straight No Chaser Tackle 'Wonderful Christmas Time'". Rolling Stone. 16 October 2013.
  19. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbjxifMCNeg
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wonderful_Christmastime&oldid=793135521"