#OriginalPresentation • THE BEATLES: Official Fan Club Christmas Record (1967)

For seven straight holiday seasons, from 1963, during the beginning of their rise to fame, to 1969, just prior to the group’s breakup, The Beatles released a specially recorded, limited-edition Christmas greeting available exclusively for the members of their official fan club.

Produced as either 45 or 33 1/3 r.p.m. flexi-disc singles which played on regular turntables, these zany recordings lasted anywhere from five minutes to just under eight, and featured the Fab Four performing spontaneous singing and skits. And as each year evolved, the more off-the-wall they became.

After the group’s official breakup in 1970, an album containing all seven of the greetings – called The Beatles Christmas Album – was subsequently issued by both the UK and U.S. chapters of their fan club.

Since then, numerous bootleg versions have appeared on both vinyl and CD.

You may have not heard these for years, or perhaps not at all. But if you’re a fan, I’m sure they’ll make you at least smile – and hopefully laugh!

Happy Holidays!

[Note]
Due to copyright issues, some audio song files may not play on smartphones, tablets or connected devices. A laptop, desktop PC or Mac may be required for optimal enjoyment.

Christmas Time Is Here Again!

[1967 – LYN 1360]

Following on the heels of their 1967 landmark album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, the fifth Yuletime fan club release was written by the Beatles and again produced by George Martin (who makes his debut on a Christmas greeting). Pursuant to 1966’s record, it delved deeper into comedic craziness, again taking the form of several pantomime skits interspersed with a couple of musical numbers. As far as Beatles’ holiday offerings are concerned, this complex production marked the apex of their superb creativity.

“Christmas Time Is Here Again!” was developed around the concept of several groups performing on a BBC radio show, with a specially-written song of the same name serving as a musical refrain throughout. In it, the Beatles portrayed a multitude of characters, including game show contestants, auditioning musicians, and actors in a radio drama (“Theatre Hour”). At the end John read a poem titled “When Christmas Time Is O’er.”

The elaborate work was likely a deliberate homage to and/or continuation of the broadly similar “Craig Torso” specials produced for BBC Radio One that same year by the Beatles’ friends and collaborators, the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band. It also shared much in common with their then-unreleased track You Know My Name (Look Up the Number) – recorded six months earlier and ultimately appearing as the B-side of 1970’s Let It Be single.

[Note] This disc featured a photo collage reminiscent of ’67’s “Pepper” album cover and would be their final Christmas greeting to be recorded at Abbey Road Studios and with all four Beatles simultaneously present. In 1968 and 1969 they contributed individually and from disparate locations, with their works later conjoined to appear as a single cohesive group effort.

Program

Location: Studio Two, Abbey Road/London
Recording Date: November 28, 1967
Release Date: December 15, 1967
Running Time: 6:06

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John: Introduction
Christmas Time (Is Here Again)
“The Boys Arrive At BBC House (Skit)
Christmas Time (Is Here Again) (Reprise 1)
Introduction (“An Audition”)
“Tap Dancing” (Skit)
“Are You 13 Amp?” (Skit)
Get One Of Those For Your Trousers
“Sir Gerald” (Skit)
Christmas Time (Is Here Again) (Reprise 2)
Introduction (“Onto The Next Round”)
George: Introduction
“The Ravellers”: Plenty Of Jam Jars
“Quiz Show” (Skit)
Get One Of Those For Your Trousers (Reprise)
“Theatre Hour” (Skit)
Christmas Time (Is Here Again) (Reprise 3)
(Crazy Laughter + Applause)
George Martin Introduction: “They’d like to thank you for a wonderful year”
The Beatles: “Thank you for a wonderful year”
George Martin on Organ: Auld Lang Syne
John: “When Christmas Time Is O’er” (Poem)