While working on his "McCartney II" album, Sir Paul decided to record a Christmas song, and I bet he had no idea that the song would become just as much a holiday music staple, both on radio and with the general public, as "Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer" or "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree."
I do admit to having a fuzzy memory here, and, if any of my former WDYL colleagues read this, maybe you can help me remember whether or not we played this song during "The Christmas Station" format that I programmed from 1989 to 1996. We had a precarious balancing act to work with, as very conservative Christian radio audience members slammed us for playing any song that referenced Santa Claus (like "The Christmas Song" by Nat King Cole), since the thought process was Jesus is Christmas, not Santa, and didn't like some of the secular artists we chose to play (Barbra Streisand, Mariah Carey, etc.).
Despite the backlash, the format did very well, lots of people enjoyed it, and, a decade or so later, other stations in the market figured out it would be a good idea to do it. I'm proud that we were the first in Richmond, years before anyone else.
Back to today's song. Ever since its 1979 release, it is a must-listen for me come holiday time. You have to understand, after leaving WDYL in 1997, and after programming Christmas music for eight straight holiday seasons, I was, and am still to this day, not high on Christmas music. Only a few songs make the Top 500. Serious, serious burnout. :)
For now, lift a glass, and get ready! Christmas is in about 114 days! :) :)
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