Christmas Time (Is Here Again)

Album: Happy Christmas Beatle People! (1995)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This musical oddity was the only Christmas song The Beatles ever recorded. It was sent to their fan club members in 1967 on "flexidisc," a floppy vinyl that would wear out pretty quickly when you played it on your turntable. The Beatles sent these discs to fan club members every Christmas from 1963-1969, but "Christmas Time (Is Here Again)" was the only one with an original song. They usually sang goofy versions of their own songs, bantered in the studio, or sang holiday favorites like "Jingle Bells."
  • The song is mostly the line "Christmas time is here again" repeated over and over, along with odd flourishes like Ringo Starr saying, "O-U-T spells out." Near the end, they deliver spoken greetings.

    The song isn't, well, good, but it wasn't supposed to be - it's just the group having a laugh to share with their biggest fans. (Another group to send their fan club members holiday singles: Pearl Jam.)
  • "Christmas Time (Is Here Again)" wasn't officially released until it appeared on an EP with the "Free As A Bird" single in 1995. In 2017 it was included in the Happy Christmas Beatle People! boxed set.
  • This is one of the few Beatles songs with songwriting credits to all four members of the band. Most of their songs were Lennon/McCartney compositions or George Harrison solo.
  • This is the only Beatles Christmas song, but all four band members got in the holiday spirit as solo artists. Their Christmas songs include Paul McCartney's "Wonderful Christmastime," John Lennon's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)," George Harrison's "Ding Dong, Ding Dong" and Ringo Starr's "Dear Santa."
  • The Beatles had a big presence most Christmases in their native UK, with four of their singles claiming the coveted Christmas #1s:

    "I Want To Hold Your Hand" in 1963
    "I Feel Fine" in 1964
    "Day Tripper" in 1965
    "Hello Goodbye" in 1967

    Odd, then, that they never released an actual Christmas song while they were extant, especially since pop groups like The Beach Boys and The Four Seasons were.

Comments: 10

  • Amanda from Gretna, Vtthis song is better than most music out today. God Bless The Beatles.
  • Jay from New Name, NjA good friend from Scotland cleared up the Lennon "Christmas Carol" at the end of Christmas Time (Is Here Again)... here are the lyrics, accurately recorded (for a change):

    And Christmas tames all
    and yer bonnie clay us through...
    Happy Breastling to you, people.
    All our best from me to you.

    And the beasty brangom mutton
    to the hither and little inn
    I'll be struttin' oot ma tether
    to yer arms once back again.
    Och away, bonnie...
  • Bender from East West Virginia, VaI first heard this song back in 1983 when I bought a bootleg of all the Beatles Christmas releases.
  • Eric from Buffalo, NyStill such a silly song made with little or no effort sounds so good. Amazing...
  • Peter Griffin from Quahog, RiCan this even be classified as a song? 0_0 This is more like a little comedy piece than an actual song.
  • Jim from Rosamond, Camost recordings on their chrismas albums were tongue in cheek and never expected to be taken seriously. I believe alot of it was just spur of the moment ad libs. Thats how 'o u t spells out'
    came to be. It was just something thrown in by Ringo.
  • Forrest from Rochester, MnO-U-T spells "out"? What the hell?
  • Dc from Hilo, HiRegarding John Lennon at the end of the song, I found the lyrics:

    And Christmas time is all,
    and your bonnie clay us through.
    Happy breastling to you people
    all out best from me to you.
    When the beasty brangom button
    to the heather and little inn.
    And be strattened oot in matether
    to yer arms once back again.
    Och away, ye bonnie.
  • Dc from Hilo, HiDoes anyone know what John Lennon is saying at the end of this song? Sounds like gibberish or some really british. It sounds kinda funny but have NO idea what he's saying. Any help??
  • Bianca Sanchez from Alburquerque, NmWow. Am I The only one whos heard this? Cool. Good Song!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Cheerleaders In Music Videos

Cheerleaders In Music VideosSong Writing

It started with a bouncy MTV classic. Nirvana and MCR made them scary, then Gwen, Avril and Madonna put on the pom poms.

Shaun Morgan of Seether

Shaun Morgan of SeetherSongwriter Interviews

Shaun breaks down the Seether songs, including the one about his brother, the one about Ozzy, and the one that may or may not be about his ex-girlfriend Amy Lee.

Real or Spinal Tap

Real or Spinal TapMusic Quiz

They sang about pink torpedoes and rocking you tonight tonight, but some real lyrics are just as ridiculous. See if you can tell which lyrics are real and which are Spinal Tap in this lyrics quiz.

Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull

Ian Anderson of Jethro TullSongwriter Interviews

The flautist frontman talks about touring with Led Zeppelin, his contribution to "Hotel California", and how he may have done the first MTV Unplugged.

Stan Ridgway

Stan RidgwaySongwriter Interviews

Go beyond the Wall of Voodoo with this cinematic songwriter.

Dar Williams

Dar WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

A popular contemporary folk singer, Williams still remembers the sticky note that changed her life in college.