A Christmas Mystery
I don't know where the music for this song came from. It's jazzy, and I don't play jazz or even listen to a whole lot of it. I'd never written anything like it before and really haven't since, either. It was back in 2006 or 2007, I think. For some reason, I put the capo on the fifth fret and started strumming these chords in this pattern. As I recall, the song was just about complete the first time I played it. Thank you, Lord!!
The words came later. For about six months my working title for this was "Jazzy Little Something." I struggled to find words that fit, until my band, Heart-Beat!, started preparing for our Christmas shows. My head filled with images of the holiday, the words finally came in one sitting. And "It's Christmas Time" was here.
More than any of the songs on the CD, this song urges people to live up to the promise of the Nativity. Don't just say Merry Christmas, mean it. And live it. Be joyful and spread that joy. Take personal responsibility for your happiness by being a good person, a good citizen. Make the choice and sing out the joy of the season and the joy of the Good News.
This is probably my favorite among all of the songs I've written. Brian added some nice color on the synth-pad. Heather and Stephanie really nailed the chorus sound I was going for, and Maria added depth to the bridge. Due to time constraints, I only had Heather for about 30 or 45 minutes. She did two takes on this song, I think. When we did the final take on the ending, I told her that she had 15 seconds before the final lyrics to improvise and to "unleash her inner Aretha (who had died the week that we recorded the vocals)." You can hear the results: it's a small flourish, but I think it really adds to the song.
All of the songs are available for purchase at the major sites. I think I have the "buy" links fixed here on N1M, but you can find links on https://patrickconnell.hearnow.com/
If you want the physical CD, and I recommend it because the liner notes are very witty, you can get it at CDBaby, Amazon or you can message me here and I can send you a paypal link and then mail one out to you.
Thank you so much for all of the support, I am so thrilled that so many have been touched by this music.
Have a special blessed day,
Patrick
