We need a little Christmas: Big Star and the Band

Starting a new series on some of my holiday favorites

First of all, 12/25 is not the finalé of Christmas; it’s the actual first day of Christmas, whose 12 days (maybe you’ve heard of them) end with Epiphany on January 6. Secondly, I genuinely love holiday music, and I want space to think and write about it. So here’s a new occasional series in which I’ll do just that. We always need a little Christmas, therein the title. For starters, a pair of records from ‘70s rockers.

I know that according to Paul Westerberg “children by the million wait for Alex Chilton to come around” (from the Replacements’ 1987 record “Alex Chilton” — the truth is likely far closer to “by the thousand.” Big Star are beloved by many as a great power pop band, but as I’m largely allergic to said genre, they’ve never done much for me. Except on “Jesus Christ,” from their album 3rd (recorded in 1974/75, released in 1978), written solely by Chilton. How this has never become a standard to be covered by Christian rockers I will never understand. I mean, these lyrics!

Angels from the realms of glory
Stars shone bright above
Royal David's city
Was bathed in the light of love

Jesus Christ was born today
Jesus Christ was born
Jesus Christ was born today
Jesus Christ was born

Now, they did rejoice
Fine and pure of voice
And the wrong shall fail
And the right prevail

Jesus Christ was born today
Jesus Christ was born
Jesus Christ was born today
Jesus Christ was born

And we're gonna get born, now

Every single fucking Christian rock band of the ‘80s should’ve covered this. These are such gorgeous lyrics in a song that’s relatively simple (aka I’m guessing easy to play) and straightforward. And it has sleigh bells on it! I’m incredibly moved by “Jesus Christ.”

Similarly to my feelings on critical sacred cows Big Star, the Band have never really grabbed me, except as a backing band for Bob Dylan on The Basement Tapes — and on his 1974 barnstorming tour which resulted in the live, shit-hot record Before the Flood. But their own music often leaves me cold. 1977’s Islands is a messy grab-bag of songs, released in March no less, but the Robbie Robertson composition “Christmas Must Be Tonight,” sung by Rick Danko, is — like “Jesus Christ” — an impressively truly-felt songs about the birth of Christ. As a Christian for whom Advent is the most meaningful liturgical season, these lyrics nearly devastate me.

Come down to the manger, see the little stranger
Wrapped in swaddling clothes, the prince of peace
The wheels start turning, torches start burning
And behold, wise men journey from the east

How a little Baby Boy bring the people so much joy
Son of a carpenter, Mary carried the light
This must be Christmas, must be tonight

A shepherd on the hillside, where over my flock I abide
On a cold winter night, a band of Angels sing
In a dream, I heard a voice say, "Fear not, come rejoice
It's the end of the beginning, praise the new born King"

How a little Baby Boy bring the people so much joy
Son of a carpenter, Mary carried the light
This must be Christmas, must be tonight

Saw it with my own eyes, written up in the skies
But why a simple herdsmen such as I?
And then it came to pass, he was born at last
Right below the star that shines on high

How a little Baby Boy bring the people so much joy
Son of a carpenter, Mary carried the light
This must be Christmas, must be tonight
Son of a carpenter, Mary carried the light
This must be Christmas, must be tonight
Be tonight, be tonight
Be tonight, be tonight
Be tonight, be tonight
Be tonight

Just stunning. Put them in a damned hall of fame, I don’t care which one, just for this. (And musically, this is 100% proto-Americana, in the best way.)

I mean, if the holidays can melt my heart for the likes of these much-lauded bands, what can’t they do?