Christmas lights are a big part of the festive season. Houses, shops and
even the streets are adorned with Christmas lights from early December
through to January. Everywhere looks so much nicer lit up with Christmas
lights that it is always a sad day when they have to be taken down for
another year. Gathering around the Christmas tree to decorate it is one
of the biggest traditions that many families have. It is a much
anticipated event that children in particular look forward to.
The tradition of Christmas lights goes back a long way. Before even electricity was invented, lit candles would be used in the trees. As far back as the seventeenth century candles were attached to the tree with the use of melted candle wax. It wasn't long before candle holders were used in place of the candle wax. It is not surprising that tree fires were common! It was the latest nineteenth century when the idea of the electric Christmas light was thought of. The assistant of Thomas Edison was the person to think of the soon to be Christmas phenomenon. The idea caught on fast and soon everyone was selling electric Christmas lights. In 1917 a new safety light was produced for the use in Christmas trees following a serious and tragic house fire caused by electric lights. It is these safety lights that have been commonly used all over the world since then.
"Christmas Lights" is a song with a melancholy verse attached to a rousing anthemic chorus of hope for redemption. That sounds like exactly what Coldplay would deliver for a holiday record. Well-written lyrics are moving and the music does truly soar with the help of strings behind the band. A melancholy piano-based verse kicks off describing the pain of a relationship that has fallen apart. The song's protagonist seeks distraction and redemption in the commercialism of Christmas shopping. The tempo picks up as we head into the emotional center of the song, "Oh when I'm still waiting for the snow to fall, it doesn't really feel like Christmas at all." A surge of strings and piano is followed by a pause, and then the band and strings erupt into a grand Coldplay chorus spelling out the hope for redemption, "Oh Christmas lights, light up the street. Light up the fireworks in me. May all your troubles soon be gone. Those Christmas lights keep shining on."
The tradition of Christmas lights goes back a long way. Before even electricity was invented, lit candles would be used in the trees. As far back as the seventeenth century candles were attached to the tree with the use of melted candle wax. It wasn't long before candle holders were used in place of the candle wax. It is not surprising that tree fires were common! It was the latest nineteenth century when the idea of the electric Christmas light was thought of. The assistant of Thomas Edison was the person to think of the soon to be Christmas phenomenon. The idea caught on fast and soon everyone was selling electric Christmas lights. In 1917 a new safety light was produced for the use in Christmas trees following a serious and tragic house fire caused by electric lights. It is these safety lights that have been commonly used all over the world since then.
"Christmas Lights" is a song with a melancholy verse attached to a rousing anthemic chorus of hope for redemption. That sounds like exactly what Coldplay would deliver for a holiday record. Well-written lyrics are moving and the music does truly soar with the help of strings behind the band. A melancholy piano-based verse kicks off describing the pain of a relationship that has fallen apart. The song's protagonist seeks distraction and redemption in the commercialism of Christmas shopping. The tempo picks up as we head into the emotional center of the song, "Oh when I'm still waiting for the snow to fall, it doesn't really feel like Christmas at all." A surge of strings and piano is followed by a pause, and then the band and strings erupt into a grand Coldplay chorus spelling out the hope for redemption, "Oh Christmas lights, light up the street. Light up the fireworks in me. May all your troubles soon be gone. Those Christmas lights keep shining on."
Coldplay - Christmas Lights ---> SHEET MUSIC
