Name this 80's girl band Christmas song

Cafe Society
1

There’s a Christmas song that sounds like it comes from an 80’s girl band - I hear it every year, and it’s totally addictive, but I don’t know what it’s called or who sings it. (I know). I can da-da-da it easily, which does me no good here, unfortunately.

The only lyrics I can remember are just before the refrain she sings: “Christmas comes but once a yeeeeeear” and then some horns start in “da-da-da-da…da-da-da-da…da-da-da-da-da-da-da…” which then repeats at a higher octave.

The lyrics are kinda sing-songy, sorta “do…Re…MI…FA!!..do…re…me…fa…so…ti…do!” and then back down.

Can anyone name that tune from my pathetic description?

2

Sounds like “Christmas Wrapping” by the Waitresses to me. One of the better Christmas songs.

3

I Know Lots is correct.

4

“Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas…I think I’ll miss this one this year…”

That line ring a bell? She’s been chasing a guy all year and they wind up meeting at the grocery store buying cranberries? That’s “Christmas Wrapping” all right. The Waitress only other song that’s memorable.

5

“Christmas Wrapping” is correct. Didn’t the lead singer die a couple of years ago?

6

I’ve got a question about that song actually. I heard it on the radio today, but it had different lyrics than I remembered.

Last year a roommate of mine downloaded the song from somewhere, and the music was the same as what I heard today, but the lyrics were about being a Jew at Christmas. Anyone got info on that?

7

Sounds like Kyle from South Park. A lonely Jew on Christmas. You can websearch for the full lyrics, but I couldn’t find one without a hundred pop-ups.

"And I can’t sing Christmas songs
Or decorate a Christmas tree…
Or leave water out for Rudolph
cos there’s something wrong with me…
My people don’t believe in Jesus Christ’s divinity…
I’m a Jew, a Lonely Jew… on Christmas. "

8

[nitpick]The Waitresses weren’t a “girl band”, technically speaking. They simply had a female lead singer.[/nitpick]

And yes, she died of cancer a few years back.

9

Just reading the title made me want to guess The Waitresses – I couldn’t figure out what other '80s band with a female singer did a notable Christmas song.

And, yes, I think I saw on a “Where Are They Now?” feature that Patty Donohoe died a couple of years ago.

10

Much obliged everyone!! I found a sound clip, and that’s definitely it! And “Christmas comes but once a year” isn’t even part of the lyrics! You guys rock. I almost said it reminded me of the “I know what boys like” song but I wasn’t sure. That wouldn’ve made it easier, eh?

I guess my pathetic description didn’t matter since there aren’t too many 80’s girl lead singer Christmas songs. :slight_smile:

11

No, that’s not it, Mr. Miskatonic. It’s bizarre because it’s almost identical instrumentation, and if it’s not the same singer, it’s someone who sounds just like her. And, the lyrics aren’t silly, they’re really pretty good and witty. Definitely alternative/punk of a very high quality. Maybe there’s a punk band somewhere that does a cover with different lyrics… off to google with me I guess.

12

When I was Googling for my sound clip, I discovered that the Spice Girls have apparently done a cover of it…

13

Yeah, same as Snooooopy. I thought “The Waitresses - Christmas Wrapping” before I even opened the thread.

14

Eonwe, the one you’ve heard is a semi-cover by Save Ferris, a cool punk band.

15

Darn, walrus beat me to it!

16

Thanks! Another of life’s mysteries solved. :slight_smile: