QueenZone discussion #684258

Arlene R. Weiss wrote: I love that song and while it didn't get any airplay here in the USA in my area (Maryland/DC)when it originally came out, the last about 5-6 years though, it now gets TONS of radio play on hard rock and classic rock stations. Yeah!! Last year I heard it on 98 Rock, WARW 94.7 Classic Rock, WYSP Philadelphia Classic Rock, also 94.7 when my radio fades into that station. Queen and Thank God It's Christmas have finally become a tradition that is loved, recognized, and part of the holidays!

...Microwave Oven... wrote: It WAS released on CD in the US prior to 1999. It was included as a bonus disc when hollywood records released the Queen Box Set... which was "Greatest Hits" and "Classic Queen" released together in a special box. The bonus disc included an hourlong interview made during The Miracle sessions... AND this song. Go ahead, ask Barry.

Tyfoon wrote: Could anyone give me and info about this song, what album was it on?, when was it recorded? why is it the most overlooked christmas song ever!? thanks for all replys!

goodco wrote: Capitol released a 12" vinyl in the States in '84. Try queencollector.com or queenpicturehall.com or.......

Serry... wrote: By Brian May: "This is years ago, of course. Roger and I agreed we would both submit ideas, and work together on working up the idea we chose. Roger wrote the beginnings of "Thank God It's Christmas", and I wrote the beginnings of "I Dream of Christmas". We met down at Roger's place and demo'd both tracks together, as I remember. How the choice between the two tracks was made I don't clearly remember, but I think it was a whole group thing. We decided to finish TGIC for the Queen Christmas single, and "IDOC" was put to one side, and I immediately worked it into the version which we released as my Lady Anita's Christmas record. This record charted briefly but is now a rarity (it features Anita singing, along with a school choir of young kids, and quite a lot of Guitar soloing by me!) For the eventual Queen song, Roger had the verse form already: "Oh - my love - we live in troubled days ....". I contributed the chorus, with a key-change leading into it, using a lyric line which occurred casually in the verse, so this now became the title, "Thank God It's Christmas". Of course when Freddie took up the singing it jumped into another gear ... his lovely high register soaring above the background in these choruses, then returning to a very gentle breathy texture for the verses. The background was based on a synth pad which Roger had found (he would have to tell you what it was made with), to which I added a guitar texture very un-typical of me ... very clean and bright ... the amp turned way down and the strings hit hard like bells. This makes that Bright Frosty sound which I actually like a lot, contrasting with the warm and dark synth chords. Of course as usual John's subtle firm bass lines are a big part of the style of the eventual outcome. The drums are programmed, the way Roger originally demo'd them, an unusual choice for a Queen track but it works in this case. My favourite part is the end, where there's a small building (subdominant) link into the playout. Freddie is improvising, and it all becomes totally joyful ... trekking off into the distance across the snowy fields..... noses red, scarves wrapped around chins, snowballs being thrown .... Christmas packages of good food being delivered to hungry villagers' doors ... mulled wine being swigged to keep the blood flowing to those cold extremities...."