Spicy Christmas Wrapping

December 16, 2015 7:38 PM

The Spice Girls: Christmas Wrapping.

The Waitresses' original.

posted by hippybear (19 comments total)

I bought the original Waitresses CD and the author Chris Butler wrote in the notes that he didn't think much of the song and had no idea why it became a hit, which I thought was really strange, and caused me to correctly predict that they would be a one-hit-wonder, since it was apparently a hit by mistake. (Actually two hits, including "I Know What Boys Like" which gave him enough money to buy Jeffery Dahmer's boyhood home, which I guess is...something.)
posted by eye of newt at 7:59 PM on December 16, 2015 [1 favorite]

Words, to help you sing along with Glee.
posted by eye of newt at 8:12 PM on December 16, 2015

Don't forget that the Waitresses also did the theme song for Square Pegs, the 1982 TV show that launched the careers of Sarah Jessica Parker and Jami Gertz.

Also, this post made me realize that the reason it doesn't feel like Christmastime yet (besides the incredibly warm weather and lack of snow) is that I haven't listened to "Christmas Wrapping" yet.
posted by ejs at 8:45 PM on December 16, 2015 [9 favorites]

I think the first time I heard of this song was when Doug Benson sang it on a Comedy Bang Bang holiday album. No idea how it escaped my notice before then, but now I like it a lot.

(Also does that cover say "Christmas Wrappig" on the original, too?)
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit at 10:21 PM on December 16, 2015

This is actually a pretty good match of artist to song, though obviously The Waitresses version is better.
posted by Joey Michaels at 11:48 PM on December 16, 2015

I've always felt the vocalist from the Fine Young Cannibals should record a festive album where he rhythmically chants the lyrics rather than singing them. Gift Rapping would practically sell itself this time of year.

[I'm here all week, don't forget to tip your waitresses etc.]
posted by Paul Slade at 1:52 AM on December 17, 2015 [2 favorites]

The album that first featured the Waitresses version of 'Christmas Wrapping' is quite interesting: "A Christmas Record" from ZE (or listen here).

It is a song which, I gather, built its popularity in the UK rather than US; but it seems to American, to my ears, for the Spice Girls to carry it off. I prefer Martha Wainwrights attempt (even with her lyrical crib sheet).
posted by rongorongo at 2:41 AM on December 17, 2015

I dislike just about all pop Christmas tunes done after 1965- they seem pretty stupid, usually.
But this one I have always liked a lot. (The other one I like is I AM SANTA CLAUS)
posted by MtDewd at 4:49 AM on December 17, 2015

I love the Spice Girls, just complete unabashed love, and this is good, but yes, the original is better. It also reminds me how much I love the sound of records from the late 70s and very early 80s.
posted by uncleozzy at 5:41 AM on December 17, 2015

Someone pointed out to be a while back that all The Waitressse' Wong's where basically Broadway numbers for pop punk kids.
posted by The Whelk at 5:57 AM on December 17, 2015

all The Waitressse' Wong's where basically

Whelkke, your typhing has diwintegrated.
posted by rory at 7:12 AM on December 17, 2015 [3 favorites]

The Whelk: "all The Waitressse' Wong's where basically Broadway numbers for pop punk kids"

This sounds like the end to a Shaggy Dog joke. Like "super-calloused fragile mystic hexed by halitosis" or something.
posted by Rock Steady at 7:17 AM on December 17, 2015 [1 favorite]

Two hits, perhaps, but the Waitresses' best song is still No Guilt.
posted by yhbc at 8:15 AM on December 17, 2015 [4 favorites]

No. Just no.
posted by humboldt32 at 8:49 AM on December 17, 2015

If we must listen to Christmas covers, we can listen to The Monarch and Dr. Mrs. The Monarch reprising "Fairytale of New York."
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 9:03 AM on December 17, 2015 [2 favorites]

I wrote about "Christmas Wrapping" here over a decade ago (how has it been that long?). A few years ago, Chris Butler gave an interview where he said he deserved a Grammy because he kept killing the careers of pop bands who cover his songs. This included the Spice Girls, who released this just before they disbanded. Good times!
posted by pxe2000 at 9:18 AM on December 17, 2015 [1 favorite]

Oh my $DEITY, finally got around to listening to this and couldn't make it through the first minute. Christmas Wrapping's charm, such as it is, derives in part from the roughness of the song. This is way too slick.

I'm glad I didn't hear this back in the day because I already had extreme dislike for the Spice Girls of the sort that only a girl named Ginger can really understand, and this would have just made it worse.
posted by immlass at 9:19 AM on December 17, 2015 [2 favorites]

Every year I keep looking for a new Venture Brothers holiday tune. It's been a while.
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit at 10:22 AM on December 17, 2015

With sixteen schnitzengruben anything is possible.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 10:38 AM on December 17, 2015 [2 favorites]