Waitresses / Spice Girls - Christmas Wrapping

Waitresses - Christmas Wrapping.mp3 (4.91 MB)

The Waitresses started life in Akron, Ohio possibly as a joke by Chris Butler who had previously (or possibly concurrently) been in the band Tin Huey. When most of the band moved to New York, they were joined by ex Television drummer Billy Ficca and signed to New York label Ze (probably most famous for it's nurturing of Kid Creole and the Coconuts) in 1981. Probably the most unusual aspect of the songs on the first LP, "Wasn't Tomorrow Wonderful?" was that despite being written by Butler, were all seen from the woman's perspective.

The Waitresses were largely ignored by their home audience but and the single from "Wasn't Tomorrow Wonderful?" - "I Know What Boys Like" was a top ten hit in Australia as well as being a minor hit in the UK.

The bands closest shave with the success they deserved in their home country was when they recorded the eponymous theme tune for the short-lived sit-com "Square Pegs" which ironically was the only released song that was not written by a member of the band.

After briefly touring in the UK they recorded their second, and last, album - "Bruiseology" in England with the respected British producer Hugh Padgham. Unfortunately the strains were already beginning to show during the recording of this album and Patty Donahue left shortly afterwards to be replaced by Holly Beth Vincent (formerly of Holly and the Italians) although this arrangement was temporary as Patty Donahue rejoined shortly afterwards.

The Waitresses most famous song however must surely be "Christmas Wrapping" which is played annually on the radio and appears on numerous seasonal compilations, indeed it started out on Ze's excellent "A Christmas Record" in 1981.

No official video exists, since "Christmas Wrapping" did not become a hit until after the band had broken up.

The song was covered by the Spice Girls in 1998 as a B-side for their single "Goodbye".

Spice Girls - Christmas Wrapping.mp3 (3.95 MB)

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!