As one of the most famous Christmas rock songs, Wizzard’s I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday has never topped the charts. She didn’t even make it to the top of the UK Christmas charts in the year the single was released. The first line then went to the track Merry Xmas Everybody from Slade.
Let’s remember how the famous hit was written, which for more than forty years on Christmas and New Year creates a festive mood among radio listeners and TV viewers.
The story behind of the song I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday
The author of the track, Roy Wood, recalled that the idea for the future song came to him in May 1973:
I decided to do a Christmas single because they were considered unfashionable for years. We thought it would be worth trying to record a real rock ‘n’ roll Christmas song.
The Guardian
Roy Wood said that the story of the song I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday began with a phrase that later became the title of the song.
Saxophonist Mike Burney suggested that it was he who prompted Roy the main phrase:
I was in an orchestra that played really boring dances, so when Roy offered me a job at Wizzard, I was blown away. I told him, “Roy, being in this band is like Christmas every day [“it’s like Christmas every day”]”. As far as I know, Roy chose this as the title of the song.
The Guardian
Recording of the song I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday
The band members recorded I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday in the heat of August. To create a New Year’s atmosphere in the studio, they hung Christmas decorations and turned on the air conditioner at the lowest possible temperature.
According to the memoirs of the musicians, they constantly drank. Word to Rick Price:
We were not addicted to drugs, but, for the most part, we were drunk. I can still smell the vodka in this recording.
The Guardian
The children’s choir from the Stockland Green School was involved in the recording. The young singers brilliantly coped with the task. Roy recalled:
When I was in the control room and listened to the children sing what I wrote, I got a lump in my throat and a chill went through my skin. It was brilliant.
The Guardian
Single release
In December 1973, the song was released as a single on the Harvest label. It only reached number four on the UK Singles Chart. In subsequent years, the track charted more than ten times.
The song Merry Xmas Everybody by the rock band Slade prevented the track from achieving maximum success in the Christmas hit parade. Bill Hunt says:
Of course, Slade was first at Christmas and we were second, but when we did it on Top of the Pops, there was a fake cake fight. While Slade were playing, one of our drummers sneaked into the audience and punched one in Noddy’s face. If you watch the video, you will notice that after that Noddy no longer appears in the frame. So we avenged ourselves for not being the first.
The Guardian
Video of I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday
Let’s watch the music video for the song by Wizzard.
An animated video for the song is also known.
Interesting Facts
- According to Roy Wood, they had no idea that Slade were also recording a Christmas song.
I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday lyrics by Wizzard
When the snowman brings the snow
Well he just might like to know
He’s put a great big smile on somebody’s face
If you jump into your bed
Quickly cover up your head
Don’t you lock the doors
You know that sweet Santa Clause is on the way
chorus:
Well I wish it could be Christmas everyday
When the kids start singing and the band begins to play
Oh I wish it could be Christmas everyday
So let the bells ring out for Christmas
When you’re skating in the park
If the snow cloud makes it dark
Then your rosy cheeks are gonna light my merry way
Now the frosty paws appear
And they’ve frozen up my beard
So we’ll lie by the fire
Till the sleet simply knocks ’em all the way
Chorus
When the snow man brings the snow
Well he just might like to know
He’s put a great big smile on somebody’s face
So if Santa brings that sleigh
Along the milky way
I’ll sign my name on the rooftop in the snow
Then he may decide to stay
Chorus
I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday Lyrics Alternate
When the snowman brings snow
He probably would like to know
That he brought wide smiles to all faces
If you jump into bed
Rather cover your head
But don’t lock the doors
You know good Santa is on his way
Chorus:
Eh, I wish Christmas every day
For the kids to sing and the bands to play
Oh I wish it was Christmas every day
So let the jingle bells call for Christmas
If you’re skating in the park
And it gets dark because of the snow cloud
Your rosy cheeks light up my merry way
But here came the paws of frost,
And they froze my beard
So we’ll lie by the fire
Until the ice just melts away
Chorus
When the snowman brings snow
He probably would like to know
That he brought wide smiles to their faces
And if Santa drives the sleigh
Along the Milky Way
I’ll write my name in the snow on the roof
Maybe he wants to stay here
Chorus
