The workings of this song started last year I think; I had the intro riff worked out with most of the chord structure. I knew I wanted a nice Jazz vibe for this track to convey that longing feeling.
Lyrically, the song paints the anguish of a woman missing her man while he's working away, and might not make it back for Christmas.
It was great to get Glasgow's very own queen of the blues, Charlotte Marshall in to the sing on the track - really brought it to life.
lyrics
V1
It gets a little colder ‘round here when you’re not home, I’m putting up the tree, wrapping gifts, the fire’s cracklin’ on, but Christmas ain’t the same when you’re on the road.
V2
Driving 12 hour days, the postie came, your words they fell like soft snowflakes, I could kill that boss of yours for keeping my man at Christmas time.
Ch -
Oh just you quit that old 18 wheels & come on home, I’ll play your Mrs Claus & sing your favourite Christmas songs....
We‘ll put some Otis on, forget the world gone wrong, pick up where we left off coz I ain’t missing Christmas with you this time.
V3
These nights are long, there’s a blizzard rolling in, they switched on the town Christmas lights, you weren’t there to keep me warm, no Christmas ain’t the same when you’re on the road.
V4
My very own little elf, I’m looking at an old picture of you in your Santa suit, I could kill that boss of yours for keeping my man at Christmas time.
Ch -
Just you quit that old 18 wheels & come on home, I’ll play your Mrs Clause & sing your favourite Christmas song....
we‘ll put some Otis on, forget the world gone wrong, pick up where we left off coz I ain’t missing Christmas with you this time.
credits
from Christmas Ain't the Same EP,
released December 4, 2020
Charlotte Marshall - Vocals
Scott Amendola - Drums
Todd Sickafoos - Upright Bass
Julie Wolf - Piano
Anton O'Donnell - Acoustic Guitar
Produced by Brian Brinkerhoff and Frank Swart, Need to Know Music, California, USA
Mixed & Mastered - Matt Winegar
Recorded in various locations - Glasgow (Matchbox Sound, Hyndland with Ciaran McIntyre), Nashville and California
Artwork - Neil McKenzie & Kenneth Clark, Keep it Creative
Written by Anton O'Donnell
Frontman of Anton & The Colts and solo artist, Anton has brought his music from Glasgow to Texas, Rome, Paris, New Orleans
to London and back again. Living proof that success does not necessarily mean compromise, Anton has taken the music he loves – blues, country, folk, rock n roll – and shaped them into a potent, fresh, yet reassuringly familiar brew....more
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