Christmas Canon

Album: The Christmas Attic (1998)
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Songfacts®:

  • The base of "Christmas Canon" is Johann Pachelbel's Canon in D major, which has been sneaking its way into Pop music for years. The Bee Gees borrowed the harmony for their debut hit "Spicks And Specks" in 1966 and, according to music producer Pete Waterman, Kylie Minogue's 1988 single "I Should Be So Lucky" was also based on Canon in D.

    Trans-Siberian Orchestra added new lyrics and melodies to the piece for "Christmas Canon" with strings and piano accompaniment for a traditional sound. Later, they added their signature rock edge for "Christmas Canon Rock" on 2004's The Lost Christmas Eve.
  • The marriage of Classical music and Rock is what Trans-Siberian Orchestra is all about, but it's not always easy under the rapid-fire pacing of their perfectionist producer/lyricist Paul O'Neill. TSO's Jon Oliva told us:

    "He'll say, 'Here's Brahms' Piano Concerto in A minor, write something to go along with it.' I've never even heard that - what are you talking about? Brahms' 48 Concerto Symphony to the 10th power, all right. You'd better give me a day on this, Paul."

    "I can't read music," Oliva added. "So I have to listen to this stuff. You get the track, they burn the track and the thing's 37 minutes long. I'm like, 'Where do you want me to write what? It's already a half hour long!' 'No, I want you to do something between this riff and this riff and make it hard rock.' I'm like, 'You'd better give me a day on this.'"

Comments: 2

  • Troy from IowaI think this is my favorite Christmas song. Its pure magic.
  • Angel Henderson from Tuscaloosa, Alabama AlSimply Beautiful! The sound & beat of orgastra is captivating ! Pulls you in at once and is spellbinding.
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