"Not Another Christmas Song" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Blink-182 | ||||
Released | December 6, 2019 | |||
Recorded | 2019 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 2:39 | |||
Label | Columbia | |||
Songwriter(s) |
| |||
Producer(s) | Travis Barker | |||
Blink-182 singles chronology | ||||
|
"Not Another Christmas Song" is a song recorded by American rock band Blink-182. The song was released on December 6, 2019 through Columbia Records. The song is a downbeat objection to the Christmas and holiday season, lyrically examining the passage of time and a disintegrating relationship. It was written by bassist Mark Hoppus, guitarist Matt Skiba, drummer Travis Barker, who also produced the song. Additional songwriting was handled by Matt Malpass, Aaron Puckett, JP Clark, and Mike Skwark. The song was the final release by the band to feature Skiba, who was unable to perform on the following single "Quarantine" and later departed from the band following the return of founding guitarist Tom DeLonge in 2022.
Critics were largely positive regarding the song, which did not chart commercially but peaked within Billboard 's national rock and holiday digital charts. Its music video was produced in claymation, and pictures the band performing for elves at the North Pole.
The song was developed at Barker's studio space, Opra Studios, located in North Hollywood, California. Matt Malpass engineered the sessions. The track was composed by the band themselves, with additional songwriting from Malpass, Aaron Puckett (Lil Aaron), JP Clark, and Mike Skwark. Zakk Cervini, who had previously mixed the bulk of Blink's 2016 comeback record California , [2] served as mix engineer. [3]
The song is not the first by the band to focus on the holiday season, but it is the first with Skiba. The group recorded "I Won't Be Home for Christmas" in 1997 with former drummer Scott Raynor and guitarist Tom DeLonge, which was released as a single in 2001. [1] That same year, with Barker, the band included "Happy Holidays, You Bastard" in the track listing of their fourth LP, Take Off Your Pants and Jacket . Lastly, in 2012, the band issued "Boxing Day"—the celebration taking place after Christmas [4] —as a single to promote their Dogs Eating Dogs extended play. [5]
Lyrically, the narrative takes the typically high-spirited holiday celebrations into a metaphor for the passage of time, as well as a relationship falling apart. In the song, Hoppus laments that "depression's such a lonely business," describing a pairing in which one partner is consistently angry and the other is often apologizing. He then has an idea for his perfect Christmas gift: "Why can’t we get divorced for Christmas?" [1] Skiba provides backing vocals, singing "fa la la" in the chorus over a chorus of sleigh bells. [6]
The music video for the song was directed by Johnny McHone, [7] with its animation handled by production company dreambear. The video utilizes claymation stylistically, depicting Blink members Hoppus, Barker, and Skiba performing for a group of elves in the North Pole. [8] A series of mishaps begin, resulting in the violent, bloody death of the elves.
Barker first hinted at the song's development in a November interview. [9] The group first teased the song on December 4, 2019, posting its single cover art on their social media accounts, followed by a proper announcement the next day. [9] The single cover is a photograph of the clay versions of themselves from the music video, with the band name written in blood. [8] The song was offered for download and streaming on December 6, with its music video premiering that day as well. [6] On that date, the band also issued joint singles with DJ duo the Chainsmokers—the upbeat "P.S. I Hope You're Happy"—and a collaboration with the posthumous rapper XXXTentacion—"It's All Fading to Black". [10] [11] Commercially, the song failed to chart. "Not Another Christmas Song" did not enter the Alternative Songs chart compiled by Billboard , but it did peak at number 16 on the Rock Digital Song Sales chart. [12] Likewise, it made an appearance at number 37 on the publication's Holiday Digital Song Sales chart in the week preceding Christmas. [13]
Jon Blistein at Rolling Stone complimented the tune as "mostly vintage Blink, with chugging pop-punk riffs during the verse opening up into a full-throated chorus — although there are some expertly placed sleigh bells in the mix as well." [1] Chris DeVille at Stereogum called it a "pretty good Blink-182 song," [11] while Nina Corcoran, writing for online magazine Consequence of Sound , concurred: "It's a pretty good song. Apart from the oversized production, it sounds like it could have been on Take Off Your Pants and Jacket — meaning it’s all jittery guitar, quick storytelling, and lyrics that mix remorse mix with youth." [6]
Credits adapted from the official YouTube audio. [3]
Production
Chart (2019) | Peak position |
---|---|
US Holiday Digital Song Sales (Billboard) [13] | 37 |
US Rock Digital Song Sales (Billboard) [12] | 16 |
"What's My Age Again?" is a song by American rock band Blink-182. It was released on April 13, 1999 as the lead single from the group's third studio album, Enema of the State (1999), released through MCA Records. "What's My Age Again?" shares writing credits between the band's guitarist Tom DeLonge and bassist Mark Hoppus, but Hoppus was the primary composer of the song. It was the band's first single to feature drummer Travis Barker. A mid-tempo pop punk song, "What's My Age Again?" is memorable for its distinctive, arpeggiated guitar intro.
"I Miss You" is a song by American rock band Blink-182, released on February 2, 2004, as the second single from the group's self-titled album (2003). Co-written by guitarist Tom DeLonge and bassist Mark Hoppus, they employed a method of writing separately and bringing their two verses together later. The song features an acoustic electric bass, a cello, and a brushstroked drum loop. The song was inspired by the Cure song "The Love Cats" and contains references to The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993).
Matthew Thomas Skiba is an American musician, singer and songwriter. He is best known as the co-lead vocalist and guitarist of the punk rock band Alkaline Trio, and served as the co-lead vocalist and guitarist of Blink-182 from 2015 to 2022. Skiba's lyrical content commonly involves dark romantic themes.
This is a discography of the American pop punk and rock band Blink-182. They have released nine studio albums, one live album, two compilation albums, three video albums, two extended plays (EPs), twenty-four singles, six promotional singles, and thirty-two music videos. Their recording material was distributed mainly by subdivisions of Universal Music Group, including Geffen Records, Interscope Records, and DGC Records. They have also released material under MCA Records, Cargo Music and its subdivision Grilled Cheese, Kung Fu Records, and BMG. The band currently consists of bassist and vocalist Mark Hoppus, drummer Travis Barker, and guitarist and vocalist Tom DeLonge. Founded by Hoppus, guitarist and vocalist Tom DeLonge, and drummer Scott Raynor, the band emerged from the Southern California punk scene of the early 1990s and first gained notoriety for high-energy live shows and irreverent lyrical toilet humor. Blink-182 has sold 15.3 million albums in the United States, and over 50 million albums worldwide. The band is known for bringing the genre of pop punk into the mainstream.
Blink-182 is an American rock band formed in 1992 in Poway, California. Their current and best-known line-up consists of bassist and vocalist Mark Hoppus, guitarist and vocalist Tom DeLonge, and drummer Travis Barker. Though their sound has diversified throughout their career, their musical style, described as pop-punk, blends catchy pop melodies with fast-paced punk rock. Their lyrics primarily focus on relationships, adolescent frustration, and maturity—or lack thereof. The group emerged from a suburban, Southern California skate punk scene and first gained notoriety for high-energy live shows and irreverent humour.
Dogs Eating Dogs is an EP by American rock band Blink-182, released on December 18, 2012 independently. Self-produced by the group, it was the sole recording that the band self-released after their departure from Interscope/DGC in October 2012, as well as their last studio recording with Tom DeLonge until 2022.
California is the seventh studio album by American rock band Blink-182, released on July 1, 2016 through BMG as the band's only album on the label. Produced by John Feldmann, it is the first of two albums by the band to feature Alkaline Trio frontman Matt Skiba, who replaced founding member Tom DeLonge. After touring and releasing the band's sixth album, Neighborhoods (2011), it became difficult for the trio to record new material due to DeLonge's other projects. After disagreements, the remaining members of the group—vocalist/bassist Mark Hoppus and drummer Travis Barker—sought separation from DeLonge and recruited Skiba in his place.
"She's Out of Her Mind" is a song recorded by American rock band Blink-182 for the group's seventh studio album, California (2016). The song was released as the second single from California on October 11, 2016 through BMG. Written by bassist Mark Hoppus, drummer Travis Barker, guitarist Matt Skiba, and producer John Feldmann, the song was re-written multiple times to make its chorus as catchy as possible. It contains lyrical references to the bands the Cure and Bauhaus. It was inspired by relationships the group had growing up with "crazy" girls.
"Home Is Such a Lonely Place" is a ballad recorded by American rock band Blink-182 for the group's seventh studio album, California (2016). The song was released as the third and final single from California on April 18, 2017, and the band's last to be released through BMG. Lyrically, the song revolves around the idea of letting go of loved ones. Bassist Mark Hoppus and producer John Feldmann first began developing the song while discussing their families, and how tough it might be when their children grow up and leave home. The song was written by Hoppus, Feldmann, drummer Travis Barker, guitarist Matt Skiba, and songwriter David Hodges.
"Blame It on My Youth" is a song recorded by American rock band Blink-182. The song was released on May 8, 2019, through Columbia Records, as the lead single from the band's eighth studio album Nine. The song is an upbeat, nostalgic track that recounts the band's early days. It was written by bassist Mark Hoppus, drummer Travis Barker, and guitarist Matt Skiba, as well as producer Tim Pagnotta, and songwriters Sam Hollander and Matt Malpass. The song debuted with a lyric video featuring renowned graffiti artist Risk.
"Generational Divide" is a song by American rock band, Blink-182. The song was released on June 21, 2019 through Columbia Records, as the second single from the band's eighth studio album, Nine. It was written by bassist Mark Hoppus, drummer Travis Barker, and guitarist Matt Skiba, as well as producer John Feldmann, and songwriters Benjamin Berger, Ryan McMahon, and Ryan Rabin.
"Happy Days" is a song recorded by American rock band Blink-182. The song was released on July 1, 2019 through Columbia Records, as the third single from the band's eighth studio album, Nine. The song is a contemplative, up-tempo track regarding personal frustration. It was written by bassist Mark Hoppus, and drummer Travis Barker, as well as producer Tim Pagnotta, and songwriter Sam Hollander. Hoppus developed the song's concept based on his personal struggle with anxiety and depression.
Nine is the eighth studio album by American rock band Blink-182, released on September 20, 2019, through Columbia Records, as the band's first album on the label. The band began developing the album after fulfilling touring obligations for their previous release, California (2016). While Nine builds upon their collaboration with producer John Feldmann, who also produced California, it also utilizes additional outside producers and songwriters including Captain Cuts, the Futuristics, and Tim Pagnotta. Nine is the band's second and final album to feature both Feldmann and guitarist/vocalist Matt Skiba.
"Darkside" is a song recorded by American rock band Blink-182. The song was released on July 26, 2019 through Columbia Records, as the fourth single from the band's eighth studio album Nine. It was written by bassist Mark Hoppus, drummer Travis Barker, and guitarist Matt Skiba, as well as producer John Feldmann.
"I Really Wish I Hated You" is a song recorded by American rock band Blink-182. The song was released on September 6, 2019 through Columbia Records, as the fifth and final single from the band's eighth studio album Nine. It was released as a single two weeks before the album was released. It was written by bassist Mark Hoppus, drummer Travis Barker, and guitarist Matt Skiba, as well as producers Andrew Watt and John Feldmann, and songwriters Ali Tamposi and Nathan Perez.
"P.S. I Hope You're Happy" is a song by American electronic music duo the Chainsmokers featuring American rock band Blink-182, released on December 6, 2019, as the tenth and final single from the duo's third studio album, World War Joy, which was released on the same day.
"Scumbag" is a song recorded by Canadian singer-songwriter Goody Grace. The song was released on October 30, 2019, through Bananabeat Records and Atlantic Records, as a single. The song features the rock band Blink-182, and was produced by the production duo The Futuristics. It was written by Blink-182 bassist Mark Hoppus and drummer Travis Barker, as well as Futuristics members Joe Khajadourian and Alex Schwartz, songwriters Michael Pollack and Jake Torrey, and Tom Higgenson, best known as the frontman for rock band Plain White T's.
"Parking Lot" is a song recorded by American rock band Blink-182. The song was released on March 16, 2017 through BMG Rights Management, as a promotional single for the deluxe edition of the band's seventh studio album California. It was written by bassist Mark Hoppus, drummer Travis Barker, guitarist Matt Skiba, and producer John Feldmann.
"Quarantine" is a song recorded by American rock band Blink-182. The song was released on August 7, 2020, through Columbia Records, and is the first single by the band to only feature bassist/vocalist Mark Hoppus and drummer Travis Barker. The fast-paced punk number explores boredom during the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It was written by Hoppus, who sings solo vocals and plays guitar on the track in addition to his usual bass duties. Additional songwriting is credited to Barker and songwriter Brian Lee, both of whom also produced the song. Due to the lack of a home studio, then-guitarist/vocalist Matt Skiba did not contribute to the track.