Bryan Adams Christmas Time: The Holiday Classic That Waited 34 Years for Its VideoBryan Adams Christmas Time: The Holiday Classic That Waited 34 Years for Its Video
Bryan Adams Christmas Time stands as one of the most beloved original holiday songs from the 1980s, yet it achieved classic status without ever having a music video during its initial release. Released in December 1985 on distinctive green vinyl exclusively for fan club members, this heartwarming anthem captured the true spirit of the season and became a Canadian radio staple for over three decades before finally receiving its official video treatment in 2019.
The song achieved something remarkable in the MTV era: it became a genuine Christmas classic purely through the strength of its songwriting and emotional resonance. While Bryan Adams was riding the massive wave of success from Cuts Like a Knife and his blockbuster Reckless album, “Christmas Time” represented something different: a sincere, melodic holiday song that eschewed novelty for genuine warmth.
If you grew up listening to classic rock radio during the holidays, you’ve probably heard this song dozens of times without realizing its fascinating backstory. From its summer songwriting session in Vancouver to its performance at the Vatican, “Christmas Time” took an unconventional path to becoming a holiday tradition.
The fact that Bryan Adams and his longtime collaborator Jim Vallance crafted this Christmas anthem in May 1985, during the height of Vancouver’s spring weather, makes its authenticity even more impressive. The song’s enduring appeal lies in its universal message about preserving the joy and generosity of Christmas throughout the entire year.
Let’s explore the complete story behind this holiday classic, from its humble fan club origins to its status as a seasonal radio staple, and discover why it took more than three decades for the song to finally get the music video it deserved.
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Christmas Time Overview: The Summer Song Written for Winter
In May 1985, while most people were enjoying the arrival of spring, Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance sat down in Vancouver to write a Christmas song. This timing might seem counterintuitive, but it gave them the creative distance to craft something genuine rather than falling into holiday cliches. The result was “Christmas Time,” a song that would resonate with listeners for decades.
The partnership between Adams and Vallance had already proven golden with hits from Reckless, including the chart-topping anthem “Summer of ’69”. Their chemistry translated perfectly to holiday music, creating a Christmas song that felt as authentic as their rock anthems.
Unlike many holiday singles that serve as throwaway B-sides or quick cash grabs, “Christmas Time” received careful attention during its creation. Adams and Vallance weren’t trying to write a novelty song or a quick radio hit. They wanted to capture something real about the Christmas spirit.
The song’s development coincided with the peak of Adams’ commercial success. Fresh off the multi-platinum success of Reckless, which had dominated charts throughout 1984 and into 1985, Adams had the creative freedom to pursue projects that mattered to him personally rather than focusing solely on commercial considerations.
Writing and Recording Sessions
Jim Vallance recalls the songwriting process with fondness, noting that most of the recording took place in his home studio in Vancouver. This intimate setting allowed for experimentation and refinement without the pressure of expensive studio time ticking away. The laid-back atmosphere contributed to the song’s warm, sincere quality.
The basic tracks were recorded in Vancouver, capturing Adams’ distinctive raspy vocals and the song’s melodic foundation. However, the drums were added later in New York when legendary producer and engineer Bob Clearmountain mixed the track. Clearmountain, known for his work with Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, and countless other rock legends, brought his signature clarity and punch to the final mix.
This bi-coastal recording approach was common during the mid-1980s, when artists would track in one location and mix in another to take advantage of different studios’ unique sonic characteristics. The New York mixing session gave “Christmas Time” the polished, professional sound that helped it stand alongside major label Christmas releases.
The Distinctive Green Vinyl Release
Rather than pursuing widespread commercial release, A&M Records and Bryan Adams chose a unique distribution strategy. The song was pressed on special green vinyl, immediately making it a collector’s item, and mailed exclusively to Bryan Adams’ fan club members in December 1985.
This green vinyl has become highly sought after by collectors today. Original copies in good condition fetch premium prices on the secondary market, representing both a piece of Bryan Adams history and 1980s music culture. The distinctive color wasn’t just a gimmick but reflected the personal, gift-like nature of the release.
The limited distribution strategy meant that “Christmas Time” spread organically rather than through heavy commercial promotion. Fan club members shared it with friends, radio programmers picked it up, and word-of-mouth created genuine grassroots support for the song. This organic growth contributed to its lasting appeal, as people discovered it naturally rather than having it forced upon them through relentless marketing.
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Shop Waking Up The Neighbours →The Heart of Christmas Time: Lyrics and Message
What sets “Christmas Time” apart from countless other holiday songs is its lyrical sincerity. Adams and Vallance avoided the typical Christmas song tropes of snow, Santa Claus, and reindeer, instead focusing on the emotional core of the holiday season and what makes it special to people of all backgrounds.
The song acknowledges both the joy that children experience during Christmas and the contentment it brings to older generations. This multi-generational perspective gives the song universal appeal, resonating with listeners from eight to eighty. The lyrics recognize that Christmas means something different to everyone while still maintaining a shared emotional thread.
Rather than dwelling on materialism or specific religious imagery, “Christmas Time” captures the intangible feeling of the season: the warmth, generosity, and hope that characterize the holidays at their best. This approach has allowed the song to age gracefully, remaining relevant as cultural attitudes toward Christmas have evolved.
What Makes the Chorus So Memorable
The chorus of “Christmas Time” delivers one of the most quotable and relatable sentiments in holiday music history. When Adams sings about wishing it could be Christmas every day, he’s not talking about presents or parties but about the spirit of kindness and joy that the season brings.
The lines about seeing joy in children’s eyes and the way older folks smile capture the visual and emotional imagery of Christmas without resorting to cliches. These observations feel genuine, as if Adams is describing scenes he’s actually witnessed rather than recycling tired holiday imagery.
The concluding statement that Christmas will never go away speaks to the timeless nature of the holiday’s core message. Regardless of how commercial culture or personal circumstances change, the fundamental human desire for connection, generosity, and joy remains constant. This optimistic message has helped the song maintain relevance across nearly four decades.
The Universal Appeal of Its Message
One reason “Christmas Time” has endured is its inclusivity. While clearly a Christmas song, it focuses on universal human experiences rather than specific religious or cultural traditions. The emotions it describes transcend denominational boundaries, making it accessible to diverse audiences.
The song’s yearning for the Christmas spirit to last throughout the year resonates because it acknowledges a common human experience: we often feel more generous, patient, and connected during the holidays, then wonder why we can’t maintain that mindset year-round. Adams and Vallance tapped into this universal feeling without becoming preachy or sentimental.
This balanced approach distinguishes “Christmas Time” from both overly religious holiday songs that alienate secular audiences and purely secular songs that feel hollow or commercial. It occupies a sweet spot that has allowed it to flourish on various radio formats, from classic rock to adult contemporary to easy listening stations.
💡 Did You Know?
Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance wrote “Christmas Time” during the same period when they were crafting songs that would appear on later albums. The songwriting partnership that brought you arena rock anthems proved equally skilled at capturing intimate, heartfelt moments. This versatility demonstrated the duo’s range beyond the hard-driving rock sound that made Bryan Adams famous.
Why Christmas Time Never Got a Video in 1985
The absence of a music video for “Christmas Time” in 1985 seems puzzling given the song’s quality and Bryan Adams’ massive popularity at the time. To understand this decision, we need to consider the music industry landscape of the mid-1980s and Adams’ career priorities during that period.
Music videos had become essential promotional tools by 1985, with MTV’s influence at its peak. Artists who ignored video faced significant disadvantages in reaching audiences, particularly in the United States market. Videos for “Summer of ’69” and “Run to You” had helped establish Adams as an international star rather than just a Canadian success story.
However, “Christmas Time” represented a different kind of project. Released exclusively to fan club members rather than as a commercial single, it wasn’t positioned for the kind of promotional push that would justify video production costs. In an era when music videos were expensive undertakings requiring significant budget and planning, creating one for a limited-release holiday single didn’t make business sense.
The MTV Era and Missed Opportunities
MTV’s dominance in the mid-1980s meant that songs without videos struggled to achieve maximum impact. The channel’s power to break new artists and propel established acts to new heights was unprecedented. A well-produced video could transform a good song into a cultural phenomenon.
Looking at other successful Christmas songs from the 1980s, most had memorable videos. Wham!’s “Last Christmas” featured the band in a snowy cabin setting that became iconic. Band Aid’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” used its video to showcase the star-studded lineup raising money for famine relief. Even The Pretenders’ “2000 Miles” had a simple but effective video that helped the song find its audience.
“Christmas Time” succeeded without this visual component, which speaks to the strength of the songwriting and Adams’ established reputation. Radio programmers added the song to holiday rotations based solely on its musical merit, and listeners connected with it through audio alone. In many ways, this made the song’s eventual success more impressive.
Adams’ Focus on Rock Career
In 1985, Bryan Adams was at a critical juncture in his career. Reckless had established him as a major rock artist, but maintaining that momentum required careful attention to his rock credibility. Christmas songs, no matter how well-crafted, could potentially dilute his hard-won image as a serious rock performer.
Adams was also preparing for what would become his next major project, eventually resulting in the 1991 album Waking Up The Neighbours, which included the massive hit “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You”. His creative energy and promotional focus remained on rock music rather than seasonal material.
The decision to release “Christmas Time” primarily to fan club members allowed Adams to share the song with his most dedicated supporters without making it a major commercial statement. It was a gift to fans rather than a career move, which paradoxically may have contributed to its authenticity and lasting appeal.
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Get So Far So Good →The Song’s Journey to Classic Status
Despite its limited initial release and lack of video promotion, “Christmas Time” achieved something remarkable: it became a genuine holiday classic through purely organic means. The song’s journey from fan club exclusive to seasonal radio staple demonstrates the power of quality songwriting and authentic emotional connection.
Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, radio programmers across Canada increasingly added “Christmas Time” to their holiday playlists. Listeners would request it, creating a positive feedback loop that cemented its place in the seasonal rotation. What began as a limited-release gift to fans evolved into an expected part of Canadian Christmas radio.
The song’s growth happened slowly but steadily, building an audience year after year rather than achieving instant widespread recognition. This gradual accumulation of fans and plays created a solid foundation for lasting success rather than the boom-and-bust cycle of many holiday novelty songs.
Canadian Radio Dominance
Canada embraced “Christmas Time” more enthusiastically than any other market, which makes sense given Bryan Adams’ status as one of the country’s most beloved rock artists. Canadian radio stations, always eager to support homegrown talent, gave the song prominent placement in their holiday programming.
By the mid-1990s, “Christmas Time” had become as much a part of Canadian Christmas tradition as any imported American standard. Classic rock stations, adult contemporary outlets, and even some Top 40 stations included it in rotation, exposing it to diverse audiences across demographic categories.
The song’s success in Canada demonstrated that great music doesn’t require massive promotional campaigns to find its audience. Word-of-mouth recommendations, coupled with repeated radio exposure over many holiday seasons, created a snowball effect that established “Christmas Time” as a modern classic within its home market.
One of the most remarkable moments in the song’s history occurred in 2001 when Bryan Adams performed “Christmas Time” at the Vatican for Pope John Paul II. This extraordinary opportunity represented both recognition of the song’s universal message and validation of its artistic merit.
The Vatican performance demonstrated that “Christmas Time” had transcended its origins as a fan club single to become a song with genuine cultural significance. Performing for the Pope placed Adams and this particular song in rarefied air, connecting it to the deeper spiritual and cultural traditions of Christmas beyond commercial popular music.
This performance also helped introduce “Christmas Time” to international audiences who might not have encountered it through Canadian radio play. The prestige of the Vatican setting and the unique nature of the event generated media coverage that spread awareness of the song beyond its core fanbase.
The 2019 Official Video: Worth the 34-Year Wait
On December 10, 2019, Bryan Adams finally released an official music video for “Christmas Time,” more than three decades after the song’s original 1985 release. The timing proved perfect, as the song had spent those intervening years earning its place as a genuine holiday classic rather than requiring a video to establish its credentials.
The video features festive winter imagery perfectly suited to the song’s warm, hopeful message. Rather than attempting to recreate a 1980s aesthetic or acknowledge the long delay, the video presents “Christmas Time” as a timeless song that exists beyond any particular era. Snow-covered landscapes, twinkling lights, and scenes of holiday celebration capture the spirit Adams and Vallance wrote about back in 1985.
Creating the video in 2019 rather than 1985 actually provided advantages. Modern production techniques allowed for more sophisticated visual effects and editing than would have been possible in the mid-1980s. The video’s production values match contemporary standards while maintaining the song’s classic sensibility.
The 2019 video also introduced “Christmas Time” to younger audiences discovering Bryan Adams’ catalog for the first time. Viewers who weren’t born when the song was originally released could now experience it with full visual accompaniment, helping ensure the song’s legacy would extend to new generations.
The video’s release coincided with Bryan Adams’ 2019 Christmas EP, which gave “Christmas Time” its first proper album home beyond compilation appearances. After 34 years of existing primarily as a single and through unofficial recordings, the song finally received the official release treatment it deserved.
Longtime fans appreciated finally having an official video to accompany a song they’d loved for decades. The video didn’t change the song’s meaning or appeal but rather provided a visual component that complemented the audio experience fans already cherished. It felt like a gift to the dedicated audience that had kept “Christmas Time” alive through years of requests and appreciation.
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Musical Legacy and Phil Spector Influence
Musically, “Christmas Time” stands among the best original Christmas songs from the 1980s, a decade that produced several enduring holiday classics. Its melodic strength and production quality place it alongside the era’s most memorable seasonal offerings, from Wham!’s melancholic “Last Christmas” to Band Aid’s anthemic charity single.
Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance drew significant inspiration from Phil Spector’s legendary 1963 Christmas album “A Christmas Gift for You.” That influence manifests clearly in “Christmas Time’s” production approach, which employs a lush, warm sound instantly recognizable as Christmas music. The Wall of Sound technique that Spector pioneered finds its echo in the song’s arrangement.
The layered instrumentation creates an enveloping, festive atmosphere without overwhelming Adams’ vocals or the song’s melodic core. This balance between production richness and musical clarity represents sophisticated craftsmanship that has helped the song age gracefully. Unlike some 1980s productions that sound dated today, “Christmas Time” maintains a timeless quality.
The Phil Spector influence also appears in the song’s emotional approach. Spector’s Christmas album succeeded because it captured genuine feeling rather than relying on gimmicks, and Adams and Vallance followed that template. They created something that honored Christmas music traditions while bringing their own rock sensibilities to the genre.
The song’s staying power over 35-plus years validates the creative decisions made during its creation. “Christmas Time” receives regular rotation on classic rock and adult contemporary stations each holiday season, maintaining its place in the cultural landscape long after many supposedly bigger hits have faded from memory.
The Reggae Christmas B-Side Story
The original 1985 green vinyl release of “Christmas Time” featured an unexpected and delightful B-side: “Reggae Christmas.” This quirky holiday song has its own fascinating backstory that adds another layer to the Christmas Time story.
Jim Vallance originally wrote “Reggae Christmas” back in 1978 for Ringo Starr, who never ended up recording it. The song sat in Vallance’s archives until the opportunity arose to include it on the Bryan Adams Christmas single. This gave new life to a composition that might otherwise have remained unknown.
“Reggae Christmas” received something “Christmas Time” didn’t get in 1985: a music video. Shot at MTV’s New York studios, the video featured a special guest appearance by Pee-wee Herman, whose show was at the peak of its popularity in the mid-1980s. The video has become a delightful time capsule of mid-1980s pop culture.
The video also included appearances by original MTV VJs Martha Quinn, Alan Hunter, Nina Blackwood, Mark Goodman, and J.J. Jackson. These five personalities had helped define MTV’s early years and represented the channel’s cultural influence during its peak period. Their presence in the video adds historical significance beyond the song itself.
While “Reggae Christmas” never achieved the lasting popularity of “Christmas Time,” it remains a fun curiosity for Bryan Adams fans and 1980s music enthusiasts. The contrast between the sincere, heartfelt A-side and the playful, novelty B-side demonstrates the range of approaches to holiday music.
The fact that “Reggae Christmas” got a video while “Christmas Time” didn’t reflects the different intentions behind each song. The reggae track was clearly meant as fun, disposable entertainment perfect for MTV’s format, while “Christmas Time” aimed for something more enduring. History proved which approach created lasting value.
Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Time
When was Bryan Adams Christmas Time originally released?
“Christmas Time” was originally released in December 1985 on distinctive green vinyl exclusively to Bryan Adams’ fan club members. The song was recorded earlier that year, with Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance writing it in May 1985 during a productive songwriting session in Vancouver. Despite its limited initial release, it became a holiday radio staple, particularly in Canada.
Who wrote Christmas Time by Bryan Adams?
Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance co-wrote “Christmas Time” in May 1985. Vallance, Adams’ longtime songwriting partner, had collaborated on most of the hits from the Reckless album. They wrote the Christmas song during spring in Vancouver, which gave them creative distance from the holiday season to craft something genuine and emotionally resonant rather than falling into typical Christmas song cliches.
Why did it take 34 years for Christmas Time to get a music video?
Bryan Adams didn’t create a music video for “Christmas Time” in 1985 because the song was released as a fan club exclusive rather than a commercial single. Adams was focused on his rock career following the massive success of Reckless, and a Christmas video didn’t align with his promotional priorities at the time. The song became a classic through radio play and word-of-mouth, finally receiving its official video in December 2019.
Did Bryan Adams perform Christmas Time for the Pope?
Yes, Bryan Adams performed “Christmas Time” at the Vatican for Pope John Paul II in 2001. This extraordinary performance demonstrated the song’s universal appeal and cultural significance beyond commercial popular music. The Vatican performance helped introduce the song to international audiences and represented remarkable recognition for a track that began as a limited fan club release.
What was special about the original Christmas Time vinyl release?
The original 1985 release of “Christmas Time” was pressed on distinctive green vinyl, making it an instant collector’s item. These special pressings were mailed exclusively to Bryan Adams’ fan club members in December 1985 rather than being sold commercially. Original green vinyl copies in good condition are now highly sought after by collectors and command premium prices on the secondary market.
Who produced Christmas Time?
“Christmas Time” was primarily recorded in Jim Vallance’s home studio in Vancouver, with drums added later when legendary engineer Bob Clearmountain mixed the track in New York. Clearmountain, known for his work with Bruce Springsteen and The Rolling Stones, brought his signature clarity and punch to the final mix. This bi-coastal recording approach was common in the mid-1980s and helped give the song its polished, professional sound.
Is Christmas Time Bryan Adams’ only Christmas song?
While “Christmas Time” remains Bryan Adams’ most famous holiday song, he released a Christmas EP in 2019 that gave the classic track an official album home. He’s also recorded “
California Christmas” and other seasonal material. However, “Christmas Time” stands as his definitive holiday contribution and the song most associated with Bryan Adams during the Christmas season.
What influenced the sound of Christmas Time?
“Christmas Time” drew significant inspiration from Phil Spector’s legendary 1963 Christmas album “A Christmas Gift for You.” That influence appears in the song’s lush, warm production and Wall of Sound approach. Adams and Vallance created an arrangement that feels both traditionally festive and authentically rock and roll, bridging classic Christmas music traditions with 1980s production techniques.
Where can I listen to Christmas Time today?
“Christmas Time” is available on all major streaming platforms and appears on numerous Christmas compilations. The song is included on Bryan Adams’ 2019 Christmas EP, and the
official version is available on Amazon. The 2019 music video can be viewed on Bryan Adams’ official YouTube channel, introducing the song to new generations of listeners.
What makes Christmas Time a classic rock Christmas song?
“Christmas Time” succeeds as a classic rock Christmas song because it maintains Bryan Adams’ authentic rock sound while capturing genuine holiday spirit. Unlike novelty songs or overly commercial tracks, it features sincere lyrics, strong melodic songwriting, and production quality that has aged gracefully. The song proves that rock artists can create meaningful holiday music without abandoning their musical identity or credibility.
Conclusion: Why Christmas Time Remains Timeless
Bryan Adams’ “Christmas Time” proves that the best holiday music transcends promotional machinery and commercial calculations. Over nearly four decades, this song has earned its place as a genuine Christmas classic through the strength of its songwriting, the sincerity of its message, and the emotional connections it creates with listeners.
The fact that it took 34 years to get an official music video doesn’t diminish the song’s impact. If anything, this delay demonstrates that truly great music finds its audience regardless of marketing strategies or visual components. “Christmas Time” became beloved because people connected with what Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance created, not because they were told to like it.
The song’s journey from fan club exclusive to seasonal radio staple to Vatican performance to finally receiving its video in 2019 represents an unconventional but ultimately more authentic path to classic status. It reminds us that lasting cultural significance comes from genuine artistic merit rather than temporary promotional advantages.
As you listen to “Christmas Time” this holiday season, whether for the first time or the hundredth, you’re experiencing something special: a song that captured the true meaning of Christmas not through elaborate production or clever marketing but through honest emotion and universal themes. That’s why it continues to resonate, and that’s why it will remain a holiday tradition for generations to come.
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🎶 Retired, recharged, and rocking harder than ever — I’m Charlie Gillingham. Founder of Classic Rock Artists, I live for legendary riffs, timeless tracks, and the stories that keep them alive. Let’s turn it up and keep the classics rolling!
