A Christmas Song that Rocks Like No Other - "Father Christmas"

by Robert Wilkinson

We continue our magical Christmas eve music with a rock and roll Christmas song that’s one of my favorites! If you've never heard this song, welcome to the twisted world of Ray Davies and the Kinks.

For those who don't know who Ray Davies is, he's the founder, lead singer, rhythm guitarist and songwriting genius of the Kinks who has given us some of the most outrageous and enjoyable tunes ever to be played. A few: "You Really Got Me," "All the Day and all of the Night," "Tired of Waiting," "Till the End of the Day," "A Well Respected Man," "Sunny Afternoon," "Lola," "Waterloo Sunset," "Come Dancing," "Celluloid Heroes," and others too numerous to count.

Ray is a true "working class hero," a man whose songs over the years shows he understands the nature of the difference between lives of privilege and those which are not, and while sometimes he seems to be a hard-edged cynic, at other times he's as playful and cheeky as it gets. This master of musical satire and irony wrote today's Christmas blast.

As I said, this is one of my all time favorite Christmas songs. Not only does it rock out, it reminds us to think of those who may not be as well off as we are. Written from the point of view of "the street" it's not sentimental, and definitely a force majeure!

(And in an interesting twist, it was used in Christmas TV ads last year! Haven’t seen it yet, but I’m hoping that company still rocks!!)

For your enjoyment, "Father Christmas."

This one is surrealistic, and rocks hard! The Kinks -- Father Christmas

Here are the Kinks playing "Father Christmas" in the studio of Plattenküche German TV on 15 Dec 1977. Thematically it's a bit twisted, but then again, when in a German TV station....

Ray's voice is shot, but this is still a great live performance of The Kinks doing "Father Christmas" on stage.

Please replay as needed!

For your consideration, the lyrics to "Father Christmas"

When I was small I believed in Santa Claus
Though I knew it was my dad
And I would hang up my stocking at Christmas
Open my presents and I'd be glad

But the last time I played Father Christmas
I stood outside a department store
A gang of kids came over and mugged me
And knocked my reindeer to the floor

They said:
Father Christmas, give us some money
Don't mess around with those silly toys.
We'll beat you up if you don't hand it over
We want your bread so don't make us annoyed
Give all the toys to the little rich boys

Don't give my brother a Steve Austin outfit
Don't give my sister a cuddly toy
We don't want a jigsaw or monopoly money
We only want the real McCoy

Father Christmas, give us some money
We'll beat you up if you make us annoyed
Father Christmas, give us some money
Don't mess around with those silly toys

But give my daddy a job 'cause he needs one
He's got lots of mouths to feed
But if you've got one, I'll have a machine gun
So I can scare all the kids down the street

Father Christmas, give us some money
We got no time for your silly toys
We'll beat you up if you don't hand it over
We want your bread so don't make us annoyed
Give all the toys to the little rich boys

Have yourself a merry merry Christmas
Have yourself a good time
But remember the kids who got nothin'
While you're drinkin' down your wine

Father Christmas, give us some money
We got no time for your silly toys
Father Christmas, please hand it over
We'll beat you up, so don't make us annoyed

Father Christmas, give us some money
Don't mess around with those silly toys
We'll beat you up if you don't hand it over
We want your bread so don't make us annoyed
Give all the toys to the little rich boys

Written by Ray Davies
Published by: Davray Music, Ltd.

For more about and from this songwriting genius, please re-visit The 2021 Ray Davies Birthday Celebration. Lots of videos!!

Article © Copyright 2021 Robert Wilkinson

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