The Story Behind Showaddywaddy’s “Hey Mister Christmas” Reveals the Simplicity of a Holiday Classic
For many artists, a Christmas song becomes an unexpected part of their musical legacy. That was certainly the case for Showaddywaddy, whose festive single Hey Mister Christmas continues to be remembered decades after its release. In a candid interview, lead singer Dave Bartram reflected on how the song came together and the surprisingly modest circumstances behind its creation.
Bartram explained that when the band was first formed in 1973, they never imagined becoming associated with glamorous holiday music. Their focus was elsewhere, and a Christmas record was far from their original vision. Yet within a year, the group found themselves recording what would become one of their seasonal releases.
According to Bartram, the writing process was remarkably straightforward. Sitting together in the studio with only a couple of guitars, the band completed Hey Mister Christmas in just a few hours. Rather than being the product of months of planning, the song emerged naturally from a relaxed songwriting session.
One memorable challenge involved choosing the song’s title. By that time, Slade had already achieved enormous success with Merry Xmas Everybody. Bartram recalled that the band had no issue using the word “Christmas,” but they wanted to avoid repeating the word “Merry.” During the discussion, someone jokingly suggested “Mr Christmas.” Although the idea initially raised puzzled reactions, the group quickly embraced it, seeing the fictional character as their own version of Santa Claus. The unusual title gave the song its own identity while keeping the festive spirit intact.
The recording also featured a children’s choir made up of orphans from a school in Harpenden. Bartram remembered the children fondly, describing them as a wonderful group whose voices created exactly the warm Christmas atmosphere the band was hoping to capture. He admitted that highlighting the orphan choir may have added emotional appeal to the record, but emphasized that their contribution gave the song an authentic seasonal warmth that became one of its defining qualities.
The interview also brings renewed attention to the original promotional video, in which the choir appeared alongside the band. For at least one former resident of the orphanage, the video carries personal significance. Having left the home only a few months before filming took place, the individual later reflected on missing the experience while knowing that many childhood friends became part of the memorable production.
More than fifty years after its release, Hey Mister Christmas remains an example of how an uncomplicated idea, a spontaneous recording session, and the sincere voices of children combined to create a holiday song that continues to hold a special place in Showaddywaddy’s history.