Classical Composer Reacts to GREG LAKE: I Believe in Father Christmas | Episode 709
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ค. 2024
- #greglake #IBelieveInFatherChristmas
In this edition of #thedailydoug, I'm listening to Greg Lake's 1974 enduring classic I Believe in Father Christmas. This song was included in my recent Patreon Fan Favorites video, and I wanted to sneak it into our videos here on TH-cam during this holiday season. I hope you enjoy!
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Greg Lake wrote to the Guardian newspaper in 2005 in response to a question from a reader about whether it's possible to exist on the annual royalties from one big Christmas hit (like Hugh Grant's character in the film About a Boy). Here's what he said:
"In 1975, I wrote and recorded a song called I Believe in Father Christmas, which some Guardian readers may remember and may even own. It was a big hit and it still gets played on the radio every year around December, and it appears on more or less every Christmas compilation going. So I can tell you from experience that it’s lovely to get the old royalty cheque around September every year, but on its own, the Christmas song money isn’t quite enough to buy my own island in the Caribbean.
I’m on tour at the moment and the Christmas song is as well received now as it was 30 years ago - maybe even more so. If Guardian readers could all please request it be played by their local radio stations, maybe that Caribbean island wouldn’t be so far away - and if I get there, you’re all invited."
Richard!! 👍👍. Thanks for posting.... 🤣🤣👃✌️🇨🇦
This is one of the most important songs ever written in my opinion. I love christmas, I love meeting the family, I love the food, I love this feeling of well-being. but we always need to be reminded that the broken world doesn't change just because of a date: wars continue, poverty continues, hopelesness continues. But also hope continues and maybe we can make the dreams of christmas come true.
I wish you all a hopeful christmas and a brave new year
I agree. It’s a humanist anthem. Stars and tinsel won’t make the world everything wonderful that it could be. We have to put wish thinking to one side and roll up our sleeves if we want that.
Greg Lake to me is a musician for all times. What an incredible vocalist, writer, and performer. And I rarely hear anybody talking about his bass playing, but he's played bass with two of the proggiest prog bands ever.
True genius. My favorite rock voice!
We were so lucky to have both Greg Lake and John Wetton. I love that Greg filled in for John on Asia in Asia (a live Asia video) as it really brought home how these guys were two of the giants of singing bass players.
Greg was one of the most talented musicians ever in popular music- great bassist, guitarist, producer, and most of all singer. I’ve view several ELP tribute videos, and the most difficult part to recreate, IMO, is vocals.
What I love about this song is that it's not necessarily cynical or bitter, it's just very blunt. As a grownup, Christmas isn't magical, it's another day of the year and as grownups it's on us to make it a good day for ourselves and for others. It's a stoic and sobering song.
Couldn’t agree more……. You articulated my feelings on this tune perfectly. I will always love this song.
It’s somehow hopeful hopeful and cynical simultaneously. It’s a miracle to pull that off.
Superbly stated.
Hallelujah noel be it Heaven or hell, the Christmas we get we deserve. Stunningly profound
Isn’t it just? Happy and peaceful Christmas, brother. And to all.
The version in a church with Ian Anderson is a must. The acoustics the church gives amplifies the song to greater heights. Also you must react to “Still you Turn Me On” live. It’s just him with a 12 string guitar and chewing gum while singing. It’s outstanding.
st, brides in fleet street. fantastic.
I just listened to the version with Ian Anderson in the church! Here's the link th-cam.com/video/U6-PAKOt7sM/w-d-xo.html
Agreed, everyone should see this. Incredible performance by everyone.
You're so right @Andy-Capp. It's breathtaking.
Something about Greg Lake’s vocals really hits me every time. The guy could sing a jingle for dish soap and I’d drop everything to listen. When you get a chance, I really want to know how he can chew bubblegum and sing “Still, You Turn Me On” at the same time.
❤He is / was SO HANDSOME while playing and singing it !! 😊
This is my favourite Christmas Song - a brilliant contrast of Christmas music with a searing indictment of humanity. It's one of those songs where people don't realise what the lyrics actually mean.
Similar to Cohen's Hallelujah in that regard.
There is a video of Greg playing this in a church featuring Ian Anderson on flute, a very well done version. You have to reflect upon when this was written and recorded, middle east war, Viet Nam war, even with all the conflict in the end Greg has a positive message about this time of the year.
The video with Ian Anderson is on TH-cam. It’s excellent with decent live acoustics.
it is from St Bride's Church in London.....a great performance.
This is my favourite Christmas song too. Despite all the bad things happening in the world, it ends on a message of hope. And the line "but instead it just kept on raining" really resonates with me as someone living in England as most years we get rain rather than snow at Christmas. Well done for choosing this one Doug and a Happy Christmas and peaceful New Year to you and yours.
You read message of hope into this song?
@@pedroV2003 Yeah, in the sense that we have the choice to set aside malice, and make war no more. But we have a choice, "and get what we deserve." ☮
@@bobsavage3317 I reckon that's one way to read it. I don't but I can see how it could be interpreted that way.
Last verse, wishing us or hoping for us a "clear road" @@pedroV2003
My all time favourite Christmas song too, ever since I heard it as a 9-year-old when it first came out. Oh yeah and I live in Wales, so if you think England gets a lot of rain, you should see what it gets like here (it's absolutely pi55ing down as I write this :) )
Still a classic song after all this time, and as relevant today as it ever was.
Merry Christmas to everybody here
One of the best Christmas songs ever.
Almost 50 years and I still well up when I hear this, can't explain it. Thanks Doug!
My absolute al time favourite Christmas song. I cannot listen to it without crying like a baby.
"I looked to the sky with excited eyes" "christmas tree smell and eyes full of tinsel and fire"...So evocative....All that innocence. It REALLY takes me back to my own childhood (whicj means so much more to me now I have kids)
But in the cold light of dawn you see through the disguise...meanwhile war rages for some other poor unfortunate child.
Awesome song
One of my favorites. I’m surprised you didn’t comment on the melody in the interlude, it’s from the Troika from Prokofiev.
Doug looked like he found the tune familiar, but as you say, didn't mention it - nor did Greg on the credits lol.
That’s what struck me. Not mentioning the Lieutenant Kije Suite
And me. For anyone who didn’t know, a troika is a sleigh pulled by three horses abreast. It’s such an evocative piece, and I can see the sleigh in the snow in my mind’s eye as it plays.
Thanks for letting us know that. I always wondered why Greg Lake wasn’t more famous for inventing that Christmas sounding tune, and there’s the answer; he didn’t. Great song but the best part of it, he didn’t write!
The last part of the video with the boy running towards his father who is obviously a soldier on leave or returning from conflict always brings tears to my eyes, and I'm a 72 year old guy.
This is why we always have 12 strings on Christmas songs. He is miming with his Zematis 6 string though, a lovely guitar in it's own right.
Greg's voice is always so pure, so natural.
It’s based around Sergei Prokofiev's Lieutenant Kijé. This music is now associated with Christmas thanks to Greg Lake. I’m surprised classical composer Doug didn’t pick up on that. 😜
Thanks for bringing this up! Was hoping Doug would mention it… also, Sting used a theme from that suite for his song Russians…
I’m sure you have heard ELP’s Troika. It has become one of my favorite Christmas songs! It is such a joyfully exuberant piece by the band!
REALLY surprised
I think Doug got totally distracted by the lyrics and missed all the musical bits!
@@johnmorris8799 For a channel predicated on musical analysis Doug gets distracted by lyrics all the time 😀
Just played both versions (I have the original vinyl's) back to back to double check my memory and yup, as I remember, this WAS the original single version by Greg that you reviewed. The ELP album version removes the choir and the orchestra is replaced by heavy synth by Keith. Love this version so much more.
My all time favourite Christmas song and I listen to it all year long. I agree you have to listen to the version in the church with Ian Anderson. Rip Greg you always live on with this masterpiece ❤️
Excellent, Doug !
Greg Lake is one of my most favorite musicians.
So glad I got to see him and Keith Emerson in Peekskill NY not to long before they both passed on.
Greg was multi-talented. Listen to some of his bass guitar work on the ELP recordings.
At the Peekskill show I was still blown away by his acoustic guitar work.
Merry Christmas to you and your family and thanks for a great channel !!!
Doug
Thank you for this reflection. I was 16 when this was released and remember walking through a rainy Manchester (UK) and it being so fitting. More recently spent a while last year learning troika on my flute. What a gorgeous piece. Oh. And the bass line in that recording. Wonderful.
This is why a True Christmas should last all year 'round.
Peace on earth,
Can it be?
That would be my favorite Christmas present Ever.
I wish you a hopeful Christmas
I wish you a brave new year
All anguish, pain and sadness
Leave your heart and let your road be clear
They said there'd be snow at Christmas
They said there'll be peace on earth
Hallelujah, Noel be it heaven or hell
The Christmas we get we deserve
Wonderful Song! Alas the Lyrics are still valid today and still drive tears in my eyes. Masterpiece.
Every year I will play Christmas music that nobody know about. This is my favorite of them. I am surprise that hardly anybody knows this song. Greg Lake is a great songwriter. RIP to Greg Lake. Thank You.
In the UK everyone knows this song.
Not in the U.S. Lot of my friends never heard of it.
Yes this was the orchestra version. I knew Greg personally, he was the most wonderful man I'd ever met. I miss him every day.😢😢😢
I just love Greg’s playing, so precise and sharp that the notes sound like bells (intentionally, I’m sure.) He should be considered one of the great guitarists just from this song, Take A Pebble, and C’est La Vie.
Thanks for this Doug! One of my all-time favorites from "ELP." Yes, Greg's voice is awesome, the beautiful guitar part, the little wink to Prokofiev, sleigh bells and little synth fills...perfection, IMHO. Thank you and Merry Christmas to you and Megan.
I put this on repeat every Christmas.
One of my favorite songs about the Christmas season.
It's about "adulting". As children we believe in Father Christmas or Santa Claus, and then learn that it's all about commercializstion and capitalism and finding that perfect present. I'm 62, and still miss the Christmases of my youth, the gathering of family, the worship, the joy.
This is on my christmas jukebox selection, along with my all time fave, which appeared on a link at the end of this video, that is Slade and 'Merry Xmas Everbody' from 1973. Yes it's 50 years old this year!
There's an excellent version Greg performs with Ian Anderson in a small church. Awesome song by an amazing singer.
So right Doug ! The world is a messed up place, always war and violence somewhere. The song really encapsulates the things that make up Christmas but at the same time it is telling us of the strife that goes on around the world. Very thought provoking and yet a fantastic song, well written and performed. The power of music to send such a strong message in evidence in this performance.
Happy Christmas, Peace and Love, for All !!! Beautiful lyrics by Peter Sinfield - Greg Lake collaboration! 🙏
This is the Single from 1975 NOT the version on the Works LP, there is also a third version of it done in 1993, I think the 1975 version is by some margin the better one. It was also an anti Vietnam war song as well as an anti commercial Christmas Record. The first time I heard it it became my favorite record and forty eight years later it still remains my all time favorite record.
Your view of the record and its meaning is very well done in my opinion and thank you for putting it on here. Happy Christmas to you.
Check out the live version with Ian Anderson on flute
St. Bride's Church -- th-cam.com/video/U6-PAKOt7sM/w-d-xo.htmlsi=-HEUp2PjEJClYJti&t=39
Salisbury Cathedral -- th-cam.com/video/RPm_C2yoCxo/w-d-xo.htmlsi=D3hZYr4TzVvWuFfW
This is the most beautiful song about Christmas in music history
...we get what we deserved....the most sincere xmas song, ever
Greg and Peter were absolute genius collaborators. His amazing voice and phrasing with the power of the message.
Doug, irrespective of the original intention of the song, your positive energy and interpretation of the message shines through as a beacon to us all. Wishing all the best to you and yours.
That was the Lake version, backed by Emerson and Palmer😊
My favourite Christmas song, because the lyrics bring a sense of reality to the whole thing.
Best Christmas song, ever. Brings goose pimples every time. Evokes the real spirit of Christmas, better than any other
I just want to thank Doug for doing this one. I love this song and it means a lot to me every Christmas, especially as each year passes by.
Love this song so much! Merry Christmas Doug, catch you in ‘24! 🎅🎁🎉🎄
Favourite Christmas song of all time. Remember when it first came out in 1975 and it is as impotent now as ever. A truly beautiful beautiful song
Thanks for this Doug, my most favourite Christmas song since I was 11, haven't heard it so much on our UK radio this Christmas.🤔
One of my all-time favorites, I believe you would enjoy the version with you Ian Anderson truly beautiful peace of music
Once again Doug you prove to be an awesome person. Here I was thinking you'd talk about the "Troika" from Three Oranges Suite borrow that is in Keith's keyboards. Love you take on then lyrics. Happy Solstice, Let your road be clear.
Thank you for wrapping that up so nicely, and for your open-mindedness and positivity. I need that right now. Going through some shit and I need to hear that kind of stuff.
There are some musicians who sing and some who shouldn't! I've listened to music for 65 years and in that time, many different singers, but in all that time I can't remember a voice as intriguing and capturing as Greg's. There were several songs that gave him the chance to shine and this was one of them. The other that comes to mind right now was C'est la vie.
Great Christmas Song that I listen to every Christmas season. It put another perspective on the Christmas season. The melodic songwriting is beautifully done.
Magnifique chanson de Noël. Merci Greg. Nous pensons à toi.
My all time favourite Christmas song, takes me back to my childhood. Merry Christmas
I commented on Doug's superb video on Marillion the other night that they had recorded for 2023 their version of Greg's epic classic. And that I think it is rather excellent. Given Doug's appreciation for Marillion (and so right), I wonder if he will add to his Patreon vid the other evening which I presume will form the basis of this video, by including the Marillion version? There is a super version by Lake and Ian Anderson too.
This song is so appropriate for the hour we are in.
"Troika" by Prokofiev. A troika is a Russian sleigh, pulled by more than one horse.
True story. I was driving to work one late January. We just had rain at Christmas. So I've got the radio on. Then it starts to snow as I'm driving through Stanley Park, the DJ plays this song. So just as I'm driving over the Lions Gate Bridge. I'm treated to millions of snow flakes as the orchestra is leading up to the cresendo . It was such a beautiful moment. It wasn't Christmas but it was a perfect moment. I think this is partly why I love this song so much. Along with the deep message in it.
This song was highlighted in the BBC radio 4 ‘Soul Music’ series. The lyricist Peter Sinfield conceded that it does include a touch of cynicism but says ultimately it's a song of joy and hope.
Great to see the video shot in the desert with camels, where Jesus was born. Something that gets forgotten in the commercialised Christmas we have today.
It's such a great song. And one of my favorites too. Merry Christmas, Doug!
Awesome! I am thrilled that you chose to do this new classic Christmas song. My favorite Christmas song other than a few of the classics. Merry Christmas, Doug!
This song should be regarded as a modern day Christmas Carol ... ok I'm biased but it's my favourite Xmas song ... RIP Greg sadly missed but never ever forgotten and this song will be part of everyones soul at Christmas time for many many generations to come x
Thanks Doug, I miss Greg RIP.
Thanks for all your hard work Doug and Megan - Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Another Christmas song from the realm of prog is Jethro Tull's A Christmas Song. It quotes the opening line from the old hymn Once In Royal David City and then, in the same manner as Greg Lake, departs from being about Christmas. Too short to be worthy of a reaction by Doug, it is still one of my favorite musical reminders to focus on the true meaning of Christmas.
Best Christmas Song EVER !!!!!!
I know it's not a jingly 'Christmas' song and I know Greg Lake's intention. But Christmas isn't actually 'jingly'. It's supposed to be something else altogether.. and this song tells it like it is.
LOVE IT.
I'm a Muslim and I don't celebrate Christmas. But I was raised a Catholic before I converted, and there's aspects of Christmas I must confess I have an emotional attachment to. This song is one of the few that evokes powerful emotions for me.
Hi Doug, I was just introduced to your blog and I am Thrilled. There is a video of him performing this on Christmas Eve in a London Church with Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull playing Flute. Of course, the incorporation of the Lt. Kije movement Troika helps with imagining a winter scene.
Many of the ELP songs were based on classical music melodies.
Super excited to hear Doug's reaction to Greg's masterpiece here! Perfect timing for the perfect Xmas song. Peace on Earth, everyone. This original video's ending says-visualizes it all! Here's a nice version w/ lyrics-- th-cam.com/video/FhzNmEQg0EI/w-d-xo.html
Thanx very much Doug for playing and reacting to Greg Lake's "I Believe In Father Christmas". One of my fave Christmas songs.
I wish you and Megan a very Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year! I am looking forward to catching many more of your videos next year.
I forgot about this song, Thank you for bringing it up/
For me the key phrase is "We get the Christmas new deserve." My interpretation of that sentence, not necessarily that of Mr. Lake, is that if you can have fun at Christmas and feel love, joy, and happiness then it's your own damn fault you get the Christmas you deserve. Just my opinion. I could be wrong.
On the other hand, surprised at the number of people who don't realize what a negative Christmas song this is. It's the same people who play John Lennon's "Imagine" at religious or patriotic occasions even though the lyrics are decidedly anti-religion and anti-nationalism. Or those who think Leonard Cohen "Hallelujah" is somehow a hymn when in fact it is just a song about a bad breakup with no particular religious content. Doesn't anyone listen to the words of these songs?
Great merging of classical & lyric / rock music . Always uplifting . Never twee 💥
I remember hearing this song. Very timely for these times.
A Christmas song that I can listen to at any time of year. My kind of music for a change at Xmas.
Great song. Important message. Sometimes xmas is not what we want or what we were told it would be and for some people xmas has no effect on their lives. If you're someone that, at this time of year, meakes a special effort to be kind to and patient with people, try spreading it out to the rest of the year too.
Goes very well with XTC’s “Dear God”, another excellent Christmas song. 😊 Talk about expressing an innocent heart.
I Believe in Father Christmas is a very cynical Christmas song, but it's got absolutely nothing in common with Dear God. XTC's song is an anti-religious non-Christmas rock song.
Yeah - I like both songs a lot. And John Lennon's too!
Stunning voice
I can't express how much better the version on Works Vol II is. This version doubles his vocal, adds huge reverb, over-the-top orchestration, a chorus, and the war footage. The overproduction and, frankly, bombast are pretty thick. The Works version is pretty much Lake on a 12-string, Emerson playing "Nantucket Sleigh Ride" between verses, and some percussion.It's wonderful, and by far my favorite Christmas song.
I agree, the Works Vol 2 version without the orchestra is better
With all due respect to your fine review, Doug, you neglected to mention Keith Emerson’s beautiful, Prokofiev inspired keyboard playing and Carl Palmer’s fine percussion playing. This song on Works II is definitely a collaborative effort by ELP. Cheers and Merry Christmas!
They don't play on this version.
One of my favourite Christmas songs
Greg was also sitting near the cave where the Dead Sea scrolls were found
This was the single version, the version on “Works vol 1&2” was stripped down but featured piano (there’s no choir or orchestra, just Keith Emerson on piano and keyboards.
Ah, one of my top two Christmas songs, along with Tim Minchin's _White_ _Wine_ _in_ _the_ _Sun._ The combination of the positive and the negative works really well - we should be realistic, but we should always hope (and strive) for a better world than we have now. Have a great Christmas!
Awesome video Doug. Heart-touching song. Season's Greetings.
I remember our local rock radio station would play this song and Paul McCartney’s song “Wonderful Christmas Time” during December. Those were the days..
Merry Christmas to you and yours, Doug.
Thanks Doug, I LOVE this song, my favourite Christmas song of all time. Merry Christmas to you and your family. 🎄🎉🎊
I've been playing this, every Christmas for many years. Wake up the neighbors.
Great! You should check out the live version with Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull filmed at St. Brides Church in the City of London. Have a Happy Christmas Doug.
A musical masterpiece by Greg.
my absolutely favorite christmas song
For another "sobering" Christmas carol, check out Jethro Tull's "Christmas Song" from the Living in the Past album. Starts out traditional, then takes a sudden turn towards social comment.
Merry Christmas, Doug !!!
THE best Christmas song ever. It is not an orchestrated version, it is the original.
My favorite Christmas song...But I'm a bit biased (I love ELP).
There are some great interviews of Greg concerning this song and this video.
The one scene in the vid is where the dead sea scrolls were discovered.
He met with real Bedouin nomads for this vid.
The Bedouin, Beduin, or Bedu are pastorally nomadic Arab tribes who have historically inhabited the desert regions in the Arabian Peninsula, North Africa, the Levant, and Mesopotamia
We rarely hear it here in the UK nowadays!
I Believe in Father Christmas is one of the best Christmas songs despite it being an anti-Christmas Christmas song. It's timeless and beautiful and showcases Greg's true talents.
I'll suggest that it's not anti-Christmas. It's about the true meaning--hope for peace and joy among all humankind. There is no greater meaning to Christmas than that.
This is my all time favourite Xmas song. I think the desert with camels was perfect for a setting.