OK. I will admit it. I got distracted again.

Have you ever wondered what was number one when you were born?

NO?

Why the devil not!

I did. And I googled it. And it’s a belter.

“Lonely This Christmas”: A Classic British Christmas Hit

The holiday season is often associated with warmth, joy and togetherness. But for many people, Christmas can also be a lonely and difficult time of year. Especially for those who have lost loved ones or are going through a breakup. It’s this feeling of loneliness and heartbreak that Mud captured so perfectly in their 1974 hit song “Lonely This Christmas.”

“Lonely This Christmas” was released as a single in November 1974 and went on to become the UK Christmas number one that year. Beating out such other classic hits as Slade’s “Merry Xmas Everybody” and Wizzard’s “I Wish It Could Be Christmas every day.” The song was written by Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman, the same songwriting duo behind many other hits of the era. Including Sweet’s “Ballroom Blitz” and Suzi Quatro’s “Can the Can.”

Opening riff

The song’s opening piano riff immediately sets a melancholy and reflective mood, as lead singer Les Gray sings the opening lines:

“Try to imagine a house that’s not a home / Try to imagine a Christmas all alone”

Gray’s emotive and soulful voice captures the pain and sadness of being alone during the festive season, as he sings of missing his lover and wishing they were by his side. The lyrics are simple and direct. But also deeply touching and relatable, as they speak to the universal experience of feeling lonely and heartbroken.

The chorus of “Lonely This Christmas” is particularly memorable, as Gray sings the following lines with a plaintive and emotional tone.

“I’ll be lonely this Christmas / Without you to hold / I’ll be lonely this Christmas / Lonely and cold”

Emotional Impact

The song’s use of Christmas imagery and themes only serves to amplify its emotional impact.  Gray sings of missing his lover’s “stockings that we hung” and “the present’s ‘neath the tree.” The song’s bridge features a spoken-word passage that further underscores the feelings of loss and longing:

“This is the time of year / When you’re supposed to be with the one you love / So, darling, won’t you hurry back / Hurry back, please, to my lonely heart”.

Lonely This Christmas

“Lonely This Christmas” is a song that resonates with anyone who has ever experienced heartbreak or loneliness during the holiday season. Its simple and direct lyrics, emotive vocals, and poignant melody make it a timeless classic. That continues to be played and loved by people all over the world. If you’re feeling lonely this Christmas, put on this classic Mud song and know that you’re not alone in your feelings.

“Lonely This Christmas” by Mud is a classic British Christmas hit that captures the universal experience of loneliness and heartbreak during the holiday season. Its simple and direct lyrics, emotive vocals, and poignant melody make it a timeless classic that continues to resonate with people today, more than 45 years after its original release.

Life

Just so that you all know, I actually wanted to find out in January when it was my birthday. But life kinda got in the way. So I, for one am glad that I got distracted today.

Photo by Seoyeon Choi on Unsplash

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