Tom Petty ‘Christmas All Over Again’ The Story Behind The Song
Tom Petty is one of my favorite artists. I have written entire articles on why I love Tom Petty. “Christmas All Over Again” is one of my favorite Christmas songs. The story behind Tom Petty “Christmas All Over Again” is very unique. A ton of musicians and instruments were involved and Tom wrote the song on a ukelele that George Harrison gave him. Does it get any cooler? Read on for the details on how this song occurred.
The Jeff Lynne Factor
My favorite era of Tom’s career was when Jeff Lynne of E.L.O. was producing. Mike Campbell of the Heartbreakers said that working with Jeff was life-changing. Jeff brought processes to writing and making records that were new to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
Jeff Lynne oversaw the production of “Christmas All Over Again.” Not only did he co-produce the song, but he also played three different instruments (including the bass and bells). He also sang background vocals and you can hear Jeff Lynne at the end of the song when Tom lists off his Christmas list. When Tom says, “Chuck Berry songbook,” Jeff Lynne responds, “I’ll have one of them.”
Tom Petty “Christmas All Over Again” – More Ukelele!
JeffLynnesongs.com quotes Tom as saying, “The funny thing is I wrote the song on a ukelele. George Harrison had come by and given me a ukelele and spent a whole afternoon teaching me the chords. The ukelele is a really cool instrument, even though it doesn’t have that image. I took the ukelele with me to my house in Florida in the middle of summer and wrote this Christmas song.”
Tom also said that he’d hear the song every Christmas season on the radio and “I really like it.”
“Christmas All Over Again” was written for the album A Very Special Christmas Volume 2. Tom didn’t want to do a cover. He loved the Phil Spector Christmas album, A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector and emulated the big sound with many musicians and instruments for the song. The song included four acoustic guitars, two bass guitars, a harp, AND a harpsichord along with a huge percussion section and bells.
Tom Petty “Christmas All Over Again” Live in 2000
Tom Petty is without a beard or mustache and sporting a decidedly bowl-like haircut, but man, he sounds fantastic.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year all over again, friend. Jeff Lynne was a huge part of this song and so many more… or have you forgotten?
9 Songs You Forgot Jeff Lynne Wrote
