Paul McCartney's "Wonderful Christmastime" turns up on a lot of lists of the least liked Christmas songs. It also turns up on lists of the most liked. It's just that kind of song. I didn't much care for it for a long time, but its grown on me in recent years. Could be the nostalgia kicking in. Or maybe I just accepted that it wasn't going to go away. I mention that because I can't believe that I came across two splendiferous (Quick! Thesaurus! I'm running out of adjectives.) versions within less than 24 hours. First, it was the version from Schematic on the Spartan release. And, now, this version from the Nashville Indie Rock band The Passport.
The Passport have done some great things with "Wonderful Christmastime" instrumentally. I love the slow down chimey beginning, for example. But the real genius of The Passport version is that they've reworked the song with some minor chords, giving it a whole new context and perspective. I hasten to add that I'm no musician; I wouldn't know a minor chord from a can of tuna (though Mrs. Katz would). But that's what it sounds like to me. In any case, rather than exuding the almost sickeningly happy tone of the original, The Passport have given the song a sad twist so that it almost comes off as ironic. Its like a sad clown that makes people laugh. Or, to put it in more relatable terms, like the guy whose heart has just been broken telling friends at a party that he's having a great time (and he says so just a little too forcefully). Or maybe I'm just really really over thinking it. Just check it out for yourself and, if you want it, its free at Soundcloud and ReverbNation.
The Passport have done some great things with "Wonderful Christmastime" instrumentally. I love the slow down chimey beginning, for example. But the real genius of The Passport version is that they've reworked the song with some minor chords, giving it a whole new context and perspective. I hasten to add that I'm no musician; I wouldn't know a minor chord from a can of tuna (though Mrs. Katz would). But that's what it sounds like to me. In any case, rather than exuding the almost sickeningly happy tone of the original, The Passport have given the song a sad twist so that it almost comes off as ironic. Its like a sad clown that makes people laugh. Or, to put it in more relatable terms, like the guy whose heart has just been broken telling friends at a party that he's having a great time (and he says so just a little too forcefully). Or maybe I'm just really really over thinking it. Just check it out for yourself and, if you want it, its free at Soundcloud and ReverbNation.
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