• Home
  • Music
  • Shop
  • Video
  • About
  • Shows
  • Contact
  • Das Blog

g

notes
0:00/???
  1. 1
    Absent Friends 2:59
    Lyrics
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/2:59
  2. 2
    Drunken Sailor 2:33
    Lyrics
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/2:33
  3. 3
    The Rocky Road to Dublin 2:39
    Lyrics
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/2:39
0:00/???
  • Home
  • Music
  • Shop
  • Video
  • About
  • Shows
  • Contact
  • Das Blog
Back to all posts

Christmas Time in China

Over the past week some ugly Christmas jumpers (featuring llamas on them) inspired me to write a Christmas Single. Now the reason for inspiration is that my band’s called Grass Mud Horse, which is the literal English translation of the Chinese term for the animal known to us as a llama or an Alpaca.

The llama Jumper in question

In Chinese the llama is named 草泥马 (pronounced Cao Ni Ma.) Now the reason we chose this for our name, is because if you say “Cao Ni Ma” with the wrong tones…you don’t say Alpaca at all, in fact you tell somebody to go fornicate with their mother. ?

In addition to this being quite funny, China is of course a land of extreme censorship and to avoid getting in trouble for swearing, young Chinese angrily exclaim “Llama!”, when in fact they mean something else entirely.

And that is why some ugly xmas jumpers with lamas on them inspired a xmas single!

We obviously had to buy these jumpers for some xmas pics and I thought that the pics may as well be in support of a xmas song. Which could in turn act as a really nice lead-up to our debut album.

It’s Christmas!!!!!!!!

I’ve always been a bit fascinated with the idea of a Christmas single. It’s a pretty big deal back in the UK where I’m from, and artists usually battle it out for what the media calls “the Top spot.”….i.e. the Christmas number one (in the UK singles chart). Some of my favourite songs where Christmas singles, such as Merry Christmas Everybody by Slade or Fairy Tale of New York by the Pogues.

I love Christmas and I’ve always wanted to do my own Christmas single. I wrote a Christmas song for my previous band The Strange, but it never got recorded unfortunately. It’s not a bad song though, and I could maybe rework it one day. Heres a demo I did acoustically of that song.

Writing a Christmas single!

My first idea for the song was simple; a Christmas must have Sleigh Bells. Next I decided I would write something about the Christmas experience for a foreigner living in a backwater city of Northern China. The first demo I did of the song was actually a video, so I’ll let you see that before we continue.

I wanted the song to be funny and perhaps touch on a few stereotypes, but I wanted it to avoid anything that could be confused with racism. I also wanted the song to have a little bit of a social conscious and perhaps an underlying message (which I admit it does). The message is perhaps only thinly veiled through sarcasm, but to avoid anymore trouble I won’t elaborate on that any further (figure that out for yourselves). My band plays punk music with a lot of what we do in the Celtic Punk or Paddy Punk genre and I thought this style (much like Fairytale of New York) would be really nice for my Christmas song.

The initial writing process for this song was a little bit strange, because the title (also the hook), and the lyrics (for the most part), all came before any melody or harmony ideas. For me the writing process usually happens in reverse, chord progressions/melody, then the lyrics. Anyway here are my first ideas, and the lyrics for the final version of the song.


Christmas Time in China
By Chris Barry

Verse

It’s Christmas time in China,
no tree to dress and no turkey either,
this year there’ll be no Yule-time log,
just an apple if your lucky and lungs full of smog,

Verse
It’s Christmas time in China,
and while they’re knocking up the latest designer,
all the kids in the fashion production prisons,
Sing songs of joy for Communism,

Bridge
I know it’s not the normal way,
but please could we have boxing day,
to nurse the massive heads in store,
from all the beer the night before,

We only have one day each year,
to spread some joy and Christmas cheer,
lets order Guinness and Whiskey too,
we’ll make this merry if it’s the last thing we do!

For those who don’t know Christmas does exist in China, however it’s mostly just used for advertising purposes. There is a tradition of giving people apples for Christmas here, and that’s why that’s included in the song. I also referenced the famous winter smog in the northeast of China, which is horrific and goes a long way to dampen the Christmas spirit.

I’ll talk a little bit about the arrangement. Firstly when structuring the song I deliberately allowed created space for a riff to be played on mandolin and tin whistle and also an instrumental/solo section in the middle.

During the recording process I decided to restructure the third verse into a broken down verse that builds back up halfway through. The third verse then cuts out right at the end before launching into the final verse with the full band. It was a little difficult to edit the song after having recorded everything one way.

I could have simply re-recorded everything for that verse, (and I did re-record a few instruments), but I viewed this editing task as a challenge and opportunity to improve my production abilities.

The song features drums with a slight swing to them and also bass guitar sitting high and in the centre of the mix. I then feature two different distorted guitar rhythm track, panned quite wide. There are acoustic guitar and mandolin rhythm tracks panned out a little bit opposite each other. I have the lead mandolin, tin whistle, and guitar sitting quite high in the mix each panned slightly. The vocals are double tracked, with some occasional harmonies that are also panned left and right. This is all just my basic mix, the song will now go to a producer who is mixing and mastering the album that the song will be included on (he is fast tracking this track for pre-release).

Well I’m quite happy with the song, and I hope you like it too. If you have any thoughts, questions or ideas please comment! Heres the song so far, you get to hear it before anyone else…maybe you think that’s cool, I hope so anyway!

>>> CLICK HERE TO HEAR CHRISTMAS TIME IN CHINA <<<

Chris ?

11/21/2019

  • 23 comments
  • Share

23 comments

  • Dave Collings
    Dave Collings UK
    Nov 21 2019 11:23 PM
    Chris. This is absolutely brilliant. Just wondering if you played all the instruments, Mandolin, Tim Whistle etc...

    Chris. This is absolutely brilliant. Just wondering if you played all the instruments, Mandolin, Tim Whistle etc...

  • Chris
    Chris China
    Nov 22 2019 7:29 PM
    Hey Dave, How you guys doing??? Been a long long time. I'm really glad you like the song, and yes I'm playing all the instruments except for the drums. I almost have an album finished with this band Grass Mud Horse, and I'm hoping to get some more people interested in what I'm doing by putting out this Christmas single, before we release the album early next year. If you like please share it around, it will be on Spotify and ITunes etc in a few weeks time. Chris :)

    Hey Dave, How you guys doing??? Been a long long time. I'm really glad you like the song, and yes I'm playing all the instruments except for the drums. I almost have an album finished with this band Grass Mud Horse, and I'm hoping to get some more people interested in what I'm doing by putting out this Christmas single, before we release the album early next year. If you like please share it around, it will be on Spotify and ITunes etc in a few weeks time. Chris smile

  • Lily
    Lily Toronto
    Nov 24 2019 7:36 PM
    These Christmas in China lyrics are fucking hilarious and so is this blog. Congrats and keep sharing your newly found Chinese wisdom! Lil Ps. Especially love Fashion Senslesss

    These Christmas in China lyrics are fucking hilarious and so is this blog. Congrats and keep sharing your newly found Chinese wisdom!
    Lil
    Ps. Especially love Fashion Senslesss

  • Chris Barry Music
    Chris Barry Music
    Nov 27 2019 3:39 PM
    Thanks Lilly I will!

    Thanks Lilly I will!

  • Kenneth Y. Jackson
    Kenneth Y. Jackson America
    Jul 14 2021 8:14 PM
    Driven light installations and retrofit bundles must be intended to appropriate the directional light created by the [url=https://ledheadlightstrend.com/]ledheadlightstrend[/url] over wide regions. Additionally, white LED innovation, while constantly improving, doesn't yet have the optical shading and brilliance that customers have gotten acclimated with radiant lights.

    Driven light installations and retrofit bundles must be intended to appropriate the directional light created by the ledheadlightstrend over wide regions. Additionally, white LED innovation, while constantly improving, doesn't yet have the optical shading and brilliance that customers have gotten acclimated with radiant lights.

  • Harold E. McInnis
    Harold E. McInnis America
    Sep 13 2021 6:58 PM
    In the event that you [url=https://guruwalik.com/best-series-to-watch-on-disney-movies/]disney movies[/url] have a course you might want them to plan essentially contact Golf Guru and inside a matter Course planning can be mentioned.

    In the event that you disney movies have a course you might want them to plan essentially contact Golf Guru and inside a matter Course planning can be mentioned.

  • Jay E. Griego
    Jay E. Griego India
    Sep 14 2021 5:58 PM
    Indeed, even [url=https://elomni.com/best-cheap-gaming-monitors/]cheap gaming monitor[/url] in these cases (fair skin dull hair) laser light is serious to such an extent that it can cause redness, enlarging and takes off to the skin. The warmth can cause consumes when laser is utilized over and over again on a similar spot, in such cases scarring can happen.

    Indeed, even cheap gaming monitor in these cases (fair skin dull hair) laser light is serious to such an extent that it can cause redness, enlarging and takes off to the skin. The warmth can cause consumes when laser is utilized over and over again on a similar spot, in such cases scarring can happen.

  • Jhon
    Jhon pakistan
    Nov 18 2021 1:57 PM
    I must say that overall i am really impressed with this blog. It is easy to see that you are impassioned about your writing. I wish I had got your ability to write. Such a good style of writing. Once again i will say thanks for sharing this wonderful blog. [url=https://simperbaby.com/]diaper for newborn baby[/url]

    I must say that overall i am really impressed with this blog. It is easy to see that you are impassioned about your writing. I wish I had got your ability to write. Such a good style of writing. Once again i will say thanks for sharing this wonderful blog. diaper for newborn baby

  • Alex
    Alex uk
    Jan 12 2022 1:20 PM
    I like the gainful knowledge you give in your articles. I'll bookmark your blog and check again here habitually. You did a great job and i am very happy to see this because it is very useful for me. Thanks for sharing. https://primeindustrials.co.uk/product-category/10-filter-housings/

    I like the gainful knowledge you give in your articles. I'll bookmark your blog and check again here habitually. You did a great job and i am very happy to see this because it is very useful for me. Thanks for sharing. https://primeindustrials.co.uk/product-category/10-filter-housings/

  • David jhon
    David jhon uk
    Jan 19 2022 1:54 PM
    Useful information that is on it. just what i was looking for and i am looking forward to reading your other posts soon. You did a great job and thanks for sharing. [url=https://officeequipmentuk.co.uk/product-category/office-equipment/literature-racks/] Literature Display Racks[/url]

    Useful information that is on it. just what i was looking for and i am looking forward to reading your other posts soon. You did a great job and thanks for sharing.
    Literature Display Racks

  • Tom
    Tom France
    Jan 21 2022 9:57 PM
    [url=https://lc.cx/pCkci1]Plan cul échangiste[/url]

    Plan cul échangiste

  • Valentina
    Valentina FR
    Jan 31 2022 11:33 PM
    https://rencontredirecte.com

    https://rencontredirecte.com

  • bunny
    bunny United Arab Emirates
    Mar 11 2022 5:57 PM
    i'm genuinely inspired your work and prefer your writing abilities. Thanks for nicely sharing. [url=https://www.maxima.solar/]Digital batteries [/url]

    i'm genuinely inspired your work and prefer your writing abilities. Thanks for nicely sharing.

    Digital batteries

  • John
    John UK
    Mar 15 2022 10:35 PM
    Truly magical ! the quality and consistence you provide is literally something else which i've rarely seen in any other blog. Good luck with your work, and just to let you know you are doing great ! [url="https://abdulwahabahmad.com/"]amazon ppc management consultant[/url]

    Truly magical ! the quality and consistence you provide is literally something else which i've rarely seen in any other blog. Good luck with your work, and just to let you know you are doing great ! amazon ppc management consultant

  • SONIKA
    SONIKA India
    Mar 17 2022 6:20 PM
    [url=https://conceptmindinstitute.com/]Concept Mind Institute[/url] is a coaching institute. We conduct our work through deep listening, creative problem solving, and collaboration.

    Concept Mind Institute is a coaching institute. We conduct our work through deep listening, creative problem solving, and collaboration.

  • ravi
    ravi India
    Mar 17 2022 6:24 PM
    Concept mind provide [url=https://conceptmindinstitute.com/coaching-for-neet]Best NEET Coaching in Delhi[/url] and [url=https://conceptmindinstitute.com/Coaching-for-IIT-JEE-Exams]Best IIT JEE Coaching in Delhi[/url]

    Concept mind provide Best NEET Coaching in Delhi and Best IIT JEE Coaching in Delhi

  • Soni
    Soni India
    Mar 17 2022 6:25 PM
    CONCEPT MIND INSTITUTE provides the best [url=https://conceptmindinstitute.com/pg-hostel]boys pg in delhi[/url] and the best coaching.

    CONCEPT MIND INSTITUTE provides the best boys pg in delhi and the best coaching.

  • Soni
    Soni India
    Mar 17 2022 6:25 PM
    CONCEPT MIND INSTITUTE provides the best [url=https://conceptmindinstitute.com/pg-hostel]boys pg in delhi[/url] and the best coaching.

    CONCEPT MIND INSTITUTE provides the best boys pg in delhi and the best coaching.

  • Sam
    Sam PK
    Mar 17 2022 10:09 PM
    Another great post ! you outshine yourself everytime when you do another post on your blog. I am bookmarking this for further use. Regards ! [url="https://360digitalmarketing.pk/"]advance seo training in lahore[/url]

    Another great post ! you outshine yourself everytime when you do another post on your blog. I am bookmarking this for further use. Regards ! advance seo training in lahore

  • Harry
    Harry PK
    Mar 21 2022 10:00 PM
    Another great post ! you outshine yourself everytime when you do another post on your blog. I am bookmarking this for further use. Regards ! [url="http://seotraining.pk"]Freelance course[/url]

    Another great post ! you outshine yourself everytime when you do another post on your blog. I am bookmarking this for further use. Regards ! Freelance course

  • Henry
    Henry uk
    Apr 6 2022 9:48 PM
    This is truly flaw-less. Apart from the amazing design which is pretty visually attractive, The information you provide on your posts is also unique. Bookmarking your blog for future use !!! [url=https://primeindustrials.co.uk/product-category/ceramic-water-filters/]CERAMIC WATER FILTERS[/url]

    This is truly flaw-less. Apart from the amazing design which is pretty visually attractive, The information you provide on your posts is also unique. Bookmarking your blog for future use !!! CERAMIC WATER FILTERS

  • ravi
    ravi India
    Apr 14 2022 5:29 PM
    [url=https://medium.com/@healthr/top-best-hospitals-in-kolkata-9c311aaa074a]Top Best Hospitals In Kolkata[/url]? feel free to reach out the list of the [url=https://neuroncy.blogspot.com/2022/04/best%20hospitals%20in%20Kolkata.html]Top 5 best hospitals in Kolkata[/url].

    Top Best Hospitals In Kolkata? feel free to reach out the list of the Top 5 best hospitals in Kolkata.

  • Soni
    Soni India
    Apr 14 2022 5:34 PM
    Want take your work on online and searching for a company who can provide you at one place with the all facilities. Then feel free t check out [url=https://shahrukhsyscorpinc.wixsite.com/website/post/it-software-web-development-company-in-india]IT Software and Web Development Company in India[/url]

    Want take your work on online and searching for a company who can provide you at one place with the all facilities. Then feel free t check out IT Software and Web Development Company in India

Add comment

  • Please log in or register to include your contact info.
  • Edit profile
  • Log out
  • Log out
Powered by Bandzoogle