Download : Christmas-wrapping-The-waitresses
Play the song “Christmas Wrapping” by The Waitresses
Lyrics:-
“Bah, humbug!” No, that’s too strong
‘Cause it is my favorite holiday
But all this year’s been a busy blur
Don’t think I have the energy
To add to my already mad rush
Just ’cause it’s ’tis the season.
The perfect gift for me would be
Completions and connections left from
Last year, ski shop,
Encounter, most interesting.
Had his number but never the time
Most of ’81 passed along those lines.
So deck those halls, trim those trees
Raise up cups of Christmas cheer,
I just need to catch my breath,
Christmas by myself this year.
Calendar picture, frozen landscape,
Chilled this room for twenty-four days,
Evergreens, sparkling snow
Get this winter over with!
Flashback to springtime, saw him again,
Would’ve been good to go for lunch,
Couldn’t agree when we were both free,
We tried, we said we’d keep in touch.
Didn’t, of course, ’til summertime,
Out to the beach to his boat could I join him?
No, this time it was me,
Sunburn in the third degree.
Now the calendar’s just one page
And, of course, I am excited
Tonight’s the night, but I’ve set my mind
Not to do too much about it.
Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
But I think I’ll miss this one this year.
Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
But I think I’ll miss this one this year.
Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
But I think I’ll miss this one this year.
Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
But I think I’ll miss this one this year.
Hardly dashing through the snow
Cause I bundled up too tight
Last minute have-to-do’s
A few cards a few calls
‘Cause it’s r-s-v-p
No thanks, no party lights
It’s Christmas Eve, gonna relax
Turned down all of my invites.
Last fall I had a night to myself,
Same guy called, halloween party,
Waited all night for him to show,
This time his car wouldn’t go,
Forget it, it’s cold, it’s getting late,
Trudge on home to celebrate
In a quiet way, unwind
Doing Christmas right this time.
A&P has provided me
With the world’s smallest turkey
Already in the oven, nice and hot
Oh damn! Guess what I forgot?
So on with the boots, back out in the snow
To the only all-night grocery,
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
In the line is that guy I’ve been chasing all year!
“I’m spending this one alone,” he said.
“Need a break; this year’s been crazy.”
I said, “Me too, but why are you?
You mean you forgot cranberries too?”
Then suddenly we laughed and laughed
Caught on to what was happening
That Christmas magic’s brought this tale
To a very happy ending! “
Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
Couldn’t miss this one this year!
Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
Couldn’t miss this one this year! (6)
Although the song was penned by Waitresses band mate Chris Butler, it’s Donahue’s voice that leads us through a rough year, until she comes face to face with the guy she’s “been chasing all year.”
The Waitresses first became popular with the song “I Know What Boys Like” off their 1982 major label debut album “Wasn’t Tomorrow Wonderful?” Sadly, it has been 14 holiday seasons since Donahue passed away from cancer in 1996 at the early age of 40.
Guitarist Chris Butler, an Ohio native, wrote all the songs for The Waitresses. “I Know What Boys Like” was written in 1977, long before there was a Waitresses. Chris played every instrument on the demo version and then hunted for the perfect voice to fill his vision.
It was another Ohio native, Patty Darling, that fit the bill. Patty used the last name Darling for a short time before returning to her real last name of Donahue. Chris wrote the lyrics and it was Patty’s job to portray the character Chris envisioned for her.
“Christmas Wrapping” touches us each holiday season thanks to Donahue’s playful voice keeping the holiday magic alive as she arrives at “a very happy ending.” It is also one of the few holiday songs that was created and popularized during our lifetime, while most holiday songs have just been part of the holiday season as long as you can remember. First featured on ZE Records’ collection of originals, “A Christmas Record,” this classic holiday track is also available on “Best Of The Waitresses,” released in 1990 by Polydor Records.
A live version was aired on The King Biscuit Flower Hour radio show on February 13, 1982, from My Fathers Place in Roslyn, New York. The song had become a staple in the set list; as you can see the band was still playing it in February. This concert was the first live broadcast The Waitresses had ever done. The CD version of the show, however, wasn’t released by King Biscuit Flower Hour Records until 1997, a year after Donahue’s passing.
Covered by such top musical acts as The Spice Girls, The Donnas, and Kate Nash, most versions are very creditable, but, no one sells “Christmas Wrapping” like Donahue. So, this holiday season when you hear this classic song, send out a silent prayer to Patty Donahue and say thanks for the “Christmas Wrapping.”
By: Nick Clemente