In the bellbottom glory days of 1973, Elton John released his first holiday single - a little ditty he wrote with lyrics by Bernie Taupin called "Step Into Christmas." Almost 40 years later, the song still gets quite a bit of airplay and is considered a contemporary Christmas classic.
VIDEO: Watch the original promotional video for 'Step Into Christmas' with Elton and the band having a grand time. Twenty years before MTV made music videos commonplace! You'll also be able to hear 'Ho! Ho! Ho!'.
The B-side to "Step Into Christmas" (back when singles were actually 45 RPM records with two sides) was another John-Taupin creation - an hysterical song called "Ho! Ho! Ho! (Who'd Be a Turkey at Christmas)."
"Step Into Christmas" peaked at #23 on the UK charts and made #1 on a specially designated Billboard Christmas chart. The tune also hit the Cashbox Top 100 charts.
"Step Into Christmas" can be found as a bonus track on the 1995 remastered reissue of 1974's Caribou, even though it would have been more at home on Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. You can find the tune on the albums Elton John's Christmas Party (occasionally seen on eBay), Rare Masters, and To Be Continued (a Greatest Hits box set).
Elton John has since recorded other Christmas tunes, traditional and contemporary, but none have come close to capturing the infectious fun of "Step Into Christmas"
So, "step into Christmas" here at the Elton John Examiner and travel back in time to watch Elton cut up with Nigel Olsson, Davey Johnstone, Dee Murray, and, of course, Bernie Taupin. Watch for Elton to give a nod to his beloved Watford Football Club.
Step into Christmas
Let's join together
We can watch the snow fall forever and ever
Eat, drink and be merry
Come along with me
Step into Christmas
The admission's free
(c) 1973 Elton John/Bernie Taupin
lyrics via Eltonography.com
Merry Christmas!
©Pat Ryder, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this article may be reproduced without prior written permission and consent from the author or Clarity Digital Group LLC, DBA Examiner.com.
For more from the author, subscribe or follow Pat on Twitter, and check out Pat's Examiner work on: 'American Idol' Examiner, Long Island Celebrity Headlines Examiner, Long Island Events Examiner, Long Island Headlines Examiner, Long Island Performing Arts Examiner and the new Long Island Community Examiner.
Passionate about a topic? Apply today to become an Examiner!
Comments