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Originally written November 21, 2006. In the kerfuffle about who’s working with Britney on her fifth studio album, we all seem to have forgotten about Brian Kierulf and Joshua Schwartz. These two have made some wonderful music with Britney in the past. I have a few reservations about “Brave New Girl” but “Don’t Hang Up” more than makes up for it and “Anticipating” is one of my favorite pop songs of all time. Another indicator of Brian and Josh’s consistent quality and creativity is “My Only Wish (This Year)”.
Most artists of Britney’s standing have managed a whole Christmas album. Christina Aguilera has done it, so has Mariah Carey, Destiny’s Child, even Ashanti. All the big names of the past did it too. But sentiment has never figured highly in the professional career of Britney Spears and all she has given us is one Christmas song.
But what a song it is! The hallmarks of a great Christmas song are a melody that sticks in the brain after one hearing and won’t let go - and singalong words that nobody minds belting out after a drink or five. And “My only wish (this year)” is one of the catchiest Christmas songs ever. Every time it gets to November and I hear it again, it runs round and round in my brain for days!
Here are the words:
Oh yeah, yeah, yeah...
Last night I took a walk in the snow,
Couples holdin’ hands, places to go,
Seems like everyone but me is in love
Santa can you hear me?
I signed my letter that I sealed with kiss,
I sent it off, it just said this:
"I know exactly what I want this year
Santa can you hear me?
I want my baby, baby
I want someone to love me, someone to hold,
Maybe, maybe,
He’ll be all my own in a big red bow!”
Santa can you hear me?
I have been so good this year
And all I want is one thing,
Tell me my true love is here
He’s all I want, just for me
Underneath my Christmas tree
I’ll be waiting here
Santa that’s my only wish this year
Oh yeahh... yeahh
Christmas Eve, I just can’t sleep
Would I be wrong for takin’ a peek
Cuz I heard that you’re comin to town
Santa can you hear me?
I really hope that you’re on your way
With something special for me in your sleigh
Oh please make my wish come true,
Santa can you hear me?
I want my baby, baby
I want someone to love me, someone to hold
Maybe, maybe (maybe)
We’ll be all alone under the mistletoe!
Santa can you hear me?
I have been so good this year,
All I want is one thing
Tell me my true love is here
He’s all I want, just for me
Underneath my Christmas tree
I’ll be waiting here
Santa that’s my only wish this year
I hope my letter reaches you in time (oh yeah)
Bring me love I can call all mine (oh yeah)
Cuz I have been so good so good this year (oh oh)
Can’t be alone under the mistletoe,
He’s all I want in a big red bow.
Santa can you hear me?
I have been so good this year
And all I want is one thing
Tell me my true love is near
He’s all I want, just for me
Underneath my Christmas tree
I’ll be waiting here,
Santa that’s my only wish this year
Ahh ahh ahh
Oh Santa, can you hear me?
Oh Santa....
Well he’s all I want, just for me,
Underneath my Christmas tree
I’ll be waiting here,
Santa that’s my only wish this year
Santa that’s my only wish this year.
It’s not Shakespeare - it’s romantic, simplistic and juvenile - but a neat fit for the image Britney had back then. "Last night I took a walk in the snow" creates a clear visual dimension by recalling scenes from famous Christmas movies, and "I'll be waiting here" has a wonderfully peremptory, brattish quality to it. It’s hard not to smile and be warmed by the song, if you have any Christmas cheer and frivolity inside of you.
As usual with Brian and Josh in that period, the production is fairly simple, with instrumentals that amount to little more than subdued synth strings, but a classic rock ‘n’ roll rhythm track with prominent snare and cymbals and Brian on bass sees things gallop along impressively nonetheless, assisted by some seasonal bell effects.
Britney starts solo, in the center, but as the song builds, a few phrases are underlined by the backing singers - among whom Britney’s voice stands out as usual. In the first chorus her vocals are double-tracked as a split stereo pair, but for the second verse she’s solo center again. Then as momentum gathers, double-tracking takes over right through till the end.
It’s hard to praise Britney’s vocals highly enough on this outing. They’re strong, vivid, characterful, and full of innocence, youth and charm. This is the voice that made millions fall in love with her, and nobody else in showbiz has ever sung quite like she does here. All her little signature sounds are present, but this time they don’t sound like effects - they’re fully integrated into her wistful interpretation of the lyrics.
This is a rare occasion when all the forces of writing, production and performance converge in a rollicking synergy to create a Christmas song that stands head and shoulders above the mediocrity that usually surrounds us at this time of year. It would shine out in any collection.
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