“This Is Christmas” tells the story, Smith says, “of an adult visiting his parents at Christmas and lamenting how he’s always made to feel like a child when he returns home. It culminates in his realization and acceptance that they’re family after all, and nothing will (or even should) change that.” Fittingly, backing vocalists on the track include Smith’s daughters Diva and Wilder; Charlton Pettus (Smith’s longtime friend and collaborator) and his children Georgica and Harry; Jason Joseph; Simon Steadman; and chorus comprised of local school children.
“This Is Christmas” was be featured in the December 15 2010 episode of the USA Network series “Psych.” “I’d been attempting to write a holiday song for years,” Smith says, “but always found them a bit trite and forced. I was trying again when Psych’s James Roday approached me about licensing a song for the holiday episode of “Psych.” Once he sent me a clip of the scene he had in mind, it all made sense and the song came together naturally.”
Like Smith’s previous solo efforts, he released “This Is Christmas” under a Creative Commons license. The license Smith uses allows others to freely share, perform, and remix his work, so long as the uses are non-commercial, Smith is credited, and any derivative works carry the same license.
from
Holiday Songs,
track released November 29, 2010
Production credits:
Produced by Curt Smith & the Reverend Charlton Pettus
Recorded at Shabby Road
Mixed by Charlton Pettus
Mastered by Ted Jensen for Sterling Sound
Written by Smith/Pettus – Happy Fish Music exclusively administered by Kobalt Music Publishing Limited (BMI) and alpettusongs (ASCAP)
Vocals: Curt Smith
Backing vocals: Jason Joseph, Lisa P’s 6th Grade Classes, Simon Steadman, Charlton Pettus, Harry Pettus, Georgica Pettus, Diva Smith, Wilder Smith
All instruments: Curt Smith & Charlton Pettus
Curt would like to thank:
Frances, Diva & Wilder AKA my life
Charlton, Alexandra, Georgie & Harry
Ted Jensen
Arlene Wszalek
Jason Joseph, Afton Hefley, Lisa P & Simon Steadman
James Roday
Justine Ungaro and Gina Vivona
Cover photograph: Justine Ungaro
Art Direction and Design: Gina Vivona for GV Creative