Rinda Beach
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Some of My Favorite Songs – Christmas Songs

12/4/2020

2 Comments

 
​ STEP INTO CHRISTMAS – I remember this song and the first time I heard it. It was on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand. I don’t remember the exact date, but it was released in November 1973. I have loved this song every Christmas since then.
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Fun Fact – Back in the day singles were released with A and B sides. If you didn’t have a hit, you wanted to be on the B side to earn royalties.
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The B side - HO, HO, HO (WHO’D BE A TURKEY AT CHRISTMAS).  Not me! I never, ever heard that song, but the singer and songwriter both earned money because Elton John stepped into Christmas. 

​Here’s the first verse from STEP INTO CHRISTMAS. As soon as I hear the guitar, I recognize it.
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Welcome to my Christmas song
I'd like to thank you for the year
So I'm sending you this Christmas card
To say it's nice to have you here
I'd like to sing about all the things
Your eyes and mind can see
So hop aboard the turntable
Oh step into Christmas with me

​The  picture above is Elton John with his writing partner Bernie Taupin (left) from 1971. STEP came out in 1973. I wonder, had they already written this song? It takes 2-3 years for a book to come out. I wonder how long it takes for a song.
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My search link is below. Click on that first video, and you’ll see Elton back in 1973 singing this song. It  hit #1 on the Billboard Christmas Singles chart. Watch closely, or a 2nd time, and you’ll see Bernie hitting the gongs. Sorry, but Ray Cooper was actually playing them.
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Keep watching, and Elton will flash his Waterford Hornets Football Club (Waterford AFC). That’s Elton’s favorite soccer team. In 1976 he bought the team and became the chairman/director. He’s owned part of the team ever since.

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My Search Link: step into christmas elton john - Bing

Source: Step into Christmas - Wikipedia
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Picture sources: By Uni/Universal City Records - eBay itemphoto frontphoto back, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16672248
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By David Shankbone - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=79809947

2 Comments
Shirin link
12/5/2020 06:12:42 am

Rinds, thank you for taking me on a trip down memory lane. I love the memories this song revives. I was in the UK at the time and it was the number one song in the charts. It’s amazing how a song, like a fragrance, can evoke such poignant reminders of the past. For a fleeting moment one is transported - almost like time travel. 🙏🏾❤️

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Rinda Beach
12/5/2020 11:13:40 am

You're welcome, Shirin! Thanks for sharing how you stepped into Christmas across the pond! Who knew this song would connect us 47 years?

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    When I write, I can only have one voice in my head, mine.  A little noise is fine.  But too much, or worse yet, WORDS, and I must change rooms or pull out headphones.  Then I can write on!

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  • Home
  • About Me
  • Blog
  • BOOKS
    • LAKE FUN FOR YOU AND ME
    • NEIL ARMSTRONG'S WIND TUNNEL DREAM
    • Zoe's Scavenger Hunt Fun
  • Contact
  • For Kids
  • My Reads
  • Speaking