Some days of the year, people want to embody their secret desires, guilt, or some lost dreams in a mythical person.
These people change per historical period, culture, and some social mentalities.
What always remains the same in societies is a childhood dream.
An unfulfilled childish desire can create a strong fantasy, which almost takes shape.
This person with unrealistic abilities changes names by country and/or religious approach.
In many cases, these are historical figures, but they differed from country to country.
But they had one thing in common, they handed out gifts to the children. They essentially embodied the desire of each child for a gift.
Every child? No, of course not!
Santa Claus of The Kinks
The English The Kinks, according to many a Proto-punk band, even a subject as tender as Santa Claus they approach it with plenty of punk “vagrancy“.
There is a habit in the UK for musicians to release a Christmas song, whatever genre they represent.
The Kinks did so on November 25, 1977.
The composition of Ray Davies, frontman of the band and their main composer is titled “Father Christmas“.
It was released as a single, featuring “Prince of the Punks” on the B side.
Later it was included in their 17th album “Misfits” as a bonus track a year later.
If the term “Father Christmas” is a little foreign to some, let us clarify that it refers to Santa Claus of the British and Australians basically.
He has the same status as the man of coca-cola also known as Santa, the “Weihnachtsmann” of the Germans, and the Santa Claus (Sinterklaas) of the Dutch.
In France and Canada, it is called “Père Noël“, in Spain “Papá Noel” and “Padre Noel“.
The current form of Santa Claus became popular with Clement Clarke Moore‘s poem, “A Visit from St. Nicholas” published in 1823.
Although they are different people, they all have one thing in common: They give gifts, basically toys to children.
But what happens when such a kind guy falls on a little wilder kid?
The lyrics
This is exactly what The Kinks tell us through the lyrics of their song.
Specifically, the hero of the song is a child, whose Christmas experience is nothing like the classic American sweet and sour movie.
“Father Christmas” is robbed by a gang of poor children, who do not want his toys, but money.
Our hero, although he does not believe in him, asks him to prove his existence.
He asks him to find a job for his dad, but also a machine gun so that he can scare the children who steal his toys.
Perhaps more realistic desires than a bicycle, animal, toy or spaceship.
The verse “Don’t give my brother a Steve Austin outfit” refers to the character of the science fiction series “The Six Million Dollar Man“.
Ray Davies often wore Santa Claus costume in the band’s live performances.
The song is heard at the end of the 2008 movie “Step Brothers“, starring the hilarious Will Ferrell and Adam McKay.
The covers are many with those of: Green Day, Bad Religion, Warrant, Save Ferris, Smash Mouth, OK Go, and Cheap Trick standing out.