Rocktrospectiva: The Fan Album "Merry Merry Christmas" Turns 35

 

Released on 19 September 1989, "Merry Merry Christmas" was the third studio and only Christmas album by pop band New Kids On The Block, The album features seasonal songs, both cover versions and original material. Released at a time when the band was peaking, the album spawned the top-ten single "This One's For The Children" 

The album sold significantly well in the USA, a total of 10 tracks original, with only three of the tracks being cover versions, mostly co-written by Maurice Starr (creator of New Edition, and legendary songwriter), who also has credit as producer.

 

Started with the lead single "This One's For The Children" opening with the stern words of Jordan Knight ‘This is a very serious message, so all of you please listen, maybe an awkward version of Band Aid‘s Do They Know It’s Christmas? but really touchy back then, "Last Night I Saw Santa Claus" it’s a fun track, which at times during the chorus, reminds me of something from the Phil Spector Christmas album, next up a ballad sung by Jordan, Donnie and Joe "I'll Be Missin' You Come Christmas (A Letter To Santa)" a vast improvement on the opening track, although there’s a few mentions of the word ‘christmas’ that seem to be hurriedly shoe-horned in. at times, it sounds like the Bee Gees are contributing.Joe McIntyre takes the lead vocals on "I Still Believe In santa Claus" joined in vocal harmony by Danny Wood and this really help to boost the track, "Merry Merry Christmas" was a song focuses on their fans, sometimes it feels as a reminiscence of Abba.

 

The second half brought us "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)", features better vocals not a big one but at least a comfy one, "Funky Funky Xmas" many considered as a proper single but aside percussion and bassline, there is nothing else to rescue here, the classic "White Christmas", was Jordan Knight first credit on this album, taking his vocals and doing a pretty good job, next is another classic "Little Drummer Boy", a pretty standard tune and close to the original, and finally "This One's For The Children (Reprise)", using more of the gospel choir, and despite only being just over one minute long, it actually feels more of a song than the album’s opener.

 

The album had its moment, obviously this was clearly an album for the fans, straight from the boy bandmarketing department. released around their peak popularity, and so it made sense for them to release it, not the greastest holiday season album but "This One's For The Children" made the album fine. 

 

Merry Merry Christmas Track List: 

 

1. This One's For The Children 

2. Last Night I Saw Santa Claus 

3. I'll Be Missin' You Christmas (A Letter To Santa)

4. I Still Believe In Santa Claus

5. Merry Merry Christmas

6. The Christmas Song

7. Funky Funky Xmas

8. White Christmas

9. The Little Drummer Boy

10. This One's For The Children