I was working in a bar in 1996 and Patty passed away in December. Listening to "Christmas Wrapping" that year was very heartbreaking. The club DJ played it as the last song of the night for the rest of the month. RIP Patty and thank you Chris for the gift that keeps on giving, EVERY year. It's one of the very few holiday songs I'll never tire of.
Unless you are talking about your on personal Atari console, this couldn't be further from the truth. Atari has put out a bunch of 50th anniversary collections, consoles and even bought a few video game studios recently. Including one of the best at creating retro game collections: Digital Eclipse.
As a woman of a certain age from Northeast Ohio, this video brought back so many memories. So many great almost un-heard now musicians from the 1980s from the Cleveland and Akron area! We haven't forgotten them, still have the cassette tapes and cds, and photos from the concerts. It was also a neat surprise to see a clip from the Afternoon Exchange local tv show.
I went to Denison University in the early 80s, and was exposed to so many great Midwest bands like Michael Stanley and the like, only to find out when I returned home that no one knew about them outside The Buzzard and other Ohio stations :(
Best Christmas song. Takes me back to 1982, when I was, for a change, happy in my relationship. Came home from work on Christmas Eve, put the EP on the turntable while I waited for my girlfriend to arrive, and sang along with the final lyrics over and over, "Couldn't miss this one this year!" Of course she later ended up dumping me in a horrible way, but the memory of that good Christmas stays with me.
I heard a DJ tell the story of the song and he mentioned how the royalties helped Patti's family through the years, like she was providing for them from the beyond.
I wonder what she actually got in royalties since Chris wrote the song and the music. In those cases where the singer doesn't write any of the songs, they usually don't get that much in residuals. Maybe Chris helped out the family, though I don't think he got along with Patty after the band broke up. Sad stuff.
I was a great fan of the Waitresses from when they first released I Know What Boys Like, and have always adored “Christmas Wrapping”. I was lucky enough to see the band at The Bottom Line in Greenwich Village, NYC, what a fine show! You omit one very important fact about the band’s drummer Billy Ficca, who’s also the drummer in Television, one of the most important bands of the NYC CBGB scene.
I was obsessed with the Waitresses in the early 80s. I still have the "Wasn't Tomorrow Wonderful?" LP and "I Could Rule the World If I Could Only Get the Parts" EP (with its album advisory emblazoned on the cover!). Patty's vocals had this "been there, done that" quality that I really dug as a young girl. Also, my family hated her vocals, which made me love them all the more. Ha! RIP, Patty. You are always remembered.
I recently rewatched the entirety of "Square Pegs" and it's super charming. The Waitresses' theme song is clever/catchy and as mentioned in the Secret Galaxy video they do perform "I Know What Boys Like" (and "Square Pegs") at a school dance in one of the episodes. Also, "Christmas Wrapping" is (almost) the only Christmas song that warms my cold Grinch heart, ever since I first heard it as a teen in the 1980s.
Thanks for presenting The Waitresses! They are one of my favorite bands. To my surprise, I found out in 1985 that I knew Patty's mother. Patty's mom worked at my high school, and had a photo of The Waitresses on her desk.
I stumbled across this song more than five years ago after my wife died and wondered WTF Christmas song is THIS?! I just figured it was another great band from the '80s that I was never all that aware of, though I was familiar with the song "I Know What Boys Like." That one got a lot of play in my circles back in the day. A wild story, right out of Ohio. It's Perfect. This is just the kind of "I'll tell YOU what Punk is!!" attitude that I always associated with what I've come to understand of The Waitresses. Thank you so much, and I really appreciated your telling of this story. Merry Christmas, yeah, yeah, whatever…
I never knew any of this about a song that is one of my favorite holiday songs. Christmas Wrapping was played every year for my annual holiday special episode of my college radio show for four years. It has since held a special place in my heart and made several appearances on various burned CDs/mix tapes. Also, Christmas in Hollis is another perennial favorite. Lastly, I absolutely LOVE that you included that scene from Better Off Dead! "Sorry your mom blew up, Ricky."
Had lunch with him at CBGBs in the mid 80s. This was after the band had split. He didn’t have nice things to say about Patty. My band also opened for the Waitresses, but it was just Patty and some LA hair metal guys. She was very nice though. Billy Ficca plays with a friend of mine. I also met Mars when my band opened for Our Daughters Wedding. He was very nice. RIP.
Christmas Wrapping has become my favorite Christmas song. Any cover of the song ranges from barely tolerable to terrible. The Waitresses is a good band, I got their Deluxe Special compilation last year. Damned good songs.
The song is still popular here in the UK. Being played in pubs to shopping centres. Even getting play time on national radio. I surprisingly, after watching the video I came down and the song was playing on BBC Radio 2. You don't get anything bigger. Also my favourite top three are the ones done Wizard, Slade and Paul McCartney. All ones from the 70s.
As someone who doesn’t like Christmas music at all, this song is my favorite and has been for a few years. You just completely blew my mind with this video, I had no idea about any of this 😁
not a fake band at all, i saw them around the cleve back in the day. this is one of two incredible clev/akron suburban christmas classix, the other being 2000 miles by the pretenders.
Well, I think his point is only that the band formed to play a preexisting song, not a band that formed and then created. But real they were: I saw them in 1982 in NYC on the pier and they rocked it out.
@@dongiovanni6796 Not true. The Waitresses recorded and released I Know What Boys Like with Patty Donahue before Christmas Wrapping became a hit on holiday radio. The former song was the band’s expected hit song and were surprised that Christmas Wrapping had become the hit song.
The Waitresses' drummer Billy Ficca, prior to joining the Waitresses, was drummer for the NYC band Television, an early fixture of CBGBs and that burgeoning 70s punk scene, great stuff
I’ve read or listened to several interviews with Chris Butler over the years. He never gives even a morsel of credit to Patty Donahue for the success of Christmas Wrapping, but he seems to be happy to give a detailed account of how he was entirely responsible for the song. That song doesn’t see the light of day without Patty’s voice, attitude, phrasing and delivery. I’m skeptical of the story Chris tells because he makes it all about himself.
Individuals always like to take credit for success that is collaborative.For years the history books read that the Animals keyboardist Alan Price arranged their hit version of 'House Of The Rising '.Several years later the other members dispute this and said he wasn't even in the studio when they were putting the song together.He still insists to this day that he arranged everything.😁
Chris Butler is a life long friend of mine. I first met him in grade school when he was playing drums in a High School band called the King's English. I used to see him when he was playing bass with the Numbers Band in Kent, Ohio; one of his band mates was Terry Hyde, Chrissy's brother. (Yes, That Chrissy of The Pretenders). Meanwhile I moved to the Boston area, into a big rent-controlled apartment; when The Waitresses played in Boston, they used to crash in my apartment. I knew Patty Donahue pretty well; she was a fun-loving adventurous, black Irish party girl, whom I liked a great deal. I was very sad when the band broke up, even sadder when Patty passed away. But I will always be grateful to Chris, Patty, Mars, Tracey, Dan, and Billy for all their good music and concerts.
This is so out of left field and amazing. This is one of my favorite songs and to know every ridiculous thing about how it came to pass is pretty incredible. Thank you! Well done!! So good!!!🎅
In my 46 almost 47 years of being on this planet, I swear I have never heard of this song or this song itself, unless it was on the background somewhere and I wasn't paying attention. But I swear true story, I heard it playing at a store, literally just 2-3 days ago, I thought to myself "this is a catchy song, sounds so 80s", so I took out my phone and did the google music search thing and found the song played it again the next day at work, looked up info on it and the band. And now it's funny that Secret Galaxy is doing a video on it.
I was in school at Kent during this time and remember all these bands (and Jerry's). I moved back to Kent a few years ago and the Numbers still play every month or so. This is back when bar bands were innovative and fun.
“Christmas in Hollis” is my favorite Christmas song too, second favorite would probably be The McKenzie Brothers’ “12 Days of Christmas.” The Three Stooges’ “I Got a Cold for Christmas” is way up there too.
A delightful homage to my favorite Christmas song! So favorite that I knew most of the story but so well researched that I learned plenty new. And thank you for delivering it with such empathy and affection!
And ironically, they're still better known for "I Know What Boys Like". I feel like "Christmas Wrapping" has picked up much more notoriety in recent years than it generally had for the previous 40. It was more of a minor cult hit at best. At least in the US.
Yeah. "I Know What Boys Like" has been on several "Best 1-hit Wonder" TV specials, and at least one "Best 1-hit Wonder" CD compilation. "Christmas Wrapping" seems like it came to prominence in the Internet's "Listicle Age", as sites like Buzzfeed and Upworthy would include it in articles with titles like "10 Best Alt Xmas Songs" or "25 Anti-Xmas Anthems". And being on "Glee" surely helped as well.
Christmas Wrapping is by far my favorite Christmas Song. Thank you so much for doing the research and producing this video. Now the story behind the song is even more fun than the song itself. I always imagined I would meet the love of my life at “the only all night grocery” on Christmas Eve!!
I loved both those songs when they were new, "I Know What Boys Like" and "Christmas Wrapping". Had a boyfriend, now deceased, who also loved them. He would be tickled to learn this history behind the songs and the band. He introduced me to the music of Devo, Warren Zevon, and Tom Waits. I introduced him to Loudon Wainwright III, Steve Goodman, and John Prine. God, I miss him.
RIP Mars Williams. I am a big fan of The Waitresses so no surprise, this is my favorite Christmas song. My 2nd favorite is 2000 Miles by the Pretenders. The songs have a bit of melancholy which is why I love them.
2000 miles is good but Chrissie Hynde's version of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas almost brings me to tears every time, it's just so damn beautiful.
Thanks for this video. I had no idea of their backstory even though I bought their EP after seeing them on Square Pegs. I liked the combination of horns and the ironically droll lead singer.
I never knew the name of this song or this band until this video, thank you! Also, I am fascinated that this Channel started as Toy Galaxy and developed into a pop-culture review format. I am always entertained by your work. Dan, you have a charming presence, I have watched many of your videos simply because no matter how interested I am in the subject matter, I know I am going to have a good time. Merry Christmas, happy new year to you and yours.
My favorite Christmas song has got to be "Snoopy's Christmas" by The Royal Guardsmen. It's not the usual Christmas "sound," but the story it tells is a perfect illustration of the kind of magic the holiday holds for many people.
Great video! Honestly I didn’t know what to expect but I truly enjoyed the behind the scenes of this song. I actually became a fan of the song through Save Ferris cover…didn’t even realize it was a cover until today lol
i know what boys like- I know what guys want. Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas, oh I think I'll miss this one this year. Love it. Fab. -NYC metro heard these songs since day one and they have been played regularly, forever. Great tunes. God Bless the deceased.
This is THE Christmas song for me, and has been for a while. Having worked in restaurants where they had Christmas music on 2-hour loops, it would slowly make one homicidal.
My holidays are not complete until I hear this song! I got hip to it in the late 90s and it is definitely in my top five favorite Xmas songs. I'm right here in the Cleveland area and have no clue how I missed the local connection! D'OH! Also a huge shoutout to Tracy Wormworth 😍
I called "The Waitresses" a quirky, early alternative band. Also, that bass line should have been turned up in the final mix. It makes the song interesting and unforgettable!
I saw The Waitresses in Boston around 1982(?). Great show. Also, for the record, Tin Huey is one of the most criminally overlooked bands in history. And one more thing: Bill Ficca was also the drummer in Televison.
Patty Donahue was one of the greatest female singers of the '80s. Her combination of attitude, innocence, nerdiness, sex appeal, and sarcasm was perfect for the time. She's sorely missed.
I remember coming across this back in 2016/2017 when I was looking for other Christmas music outside of the ones I've heard on the radio, and this one stuck out to me so much, I ended up liking it. However, for many years the original recording audio wasn't available on RUclips until years later, and thus, re-downloaded the higher quality one, and thus, Christmas Wrapping ended up becoming my favorite of all time, along with The Christmas Song by both Nat King Cole & Mel Torme.
My dad absolutely loves this song!! I've heard it before..but, I re-listen to it, and caught it during Fred Claus (2009) with Vince Vaun & Paul Giamatti. Fred Claus has become one of my favorites!!🎄😊
That was brilliant! Such a great Xmas tune like Stop The Cavalry never tire of playing out at Xmas everyone seems to know it. Such a great backstory too! 😊
I think my favorite Christmas song is probably "Fairytale of New York" by the Pogues, in spite of the slur. It's such a beautiful reflection on regret and codependence. "Merry Xmas Everybody" by Slade is another contender.
I literally heard this song in a Rite-Aid pharmacy today, and I "Shazamed" it, just now sat down to to buy the Mp3, saw there were two versions, so came to youtube to listen to them both, and in my search saw that Secret Galaxy...MY favoritest Secret Galaxy, did a Christmas episode on this same song A YEAR AGO and I somehow missed it?? My head is swimming 🤯 and you guys are awesome 😄
Christmas Wrapping has quickly grown to be one of my top 3 Christmas songs, I relate to it more and more each year, and helps remind me to lighten up a little, it's Christmas.
I'm familiar with the song, but only with an entirely different version of it by someone else. I had no idea that this song was originally sung by another band. Thanks for the history lesson! One of my favorite Christmas songs, would probably have to be "This Christmas seems like the very first Christmas to me" from SpongeBob SquarePants.
One of the most fun basslines there is. Unfortunately, I've never been able to find a LIVE video where Tracy Wormworth is playing the bassline the same way as the recording...which makes be believe it was recorded with their previous bassist, Dave Hofstra.
One of my favorite Christmas songs. I actually saw them live in '82 or '83 sometime, and won their album from a show on some Long Island radio station. Me and The Waitresses have history. 😉
The waitresses had 2 full length LP's,2 EP's,and a handful of singles that were all so incredible and amazing and still completely relevant all between 1981-1983.. they were New Wave but the musicianship was so talented that's why it holds up today and incredibly witty, catchy,well constructed songs
“Christmas on Riverside Drive” by August Darnell (Dan said his name!) is a sizzler, and is worth checking out. It’s on “A Christmas Record” and was released as a B-side on the “Christmas Wrapping” single
I’ve been watching Toy/Secret Galaxy since Action Toys Bike Robo came out. I love all your videos,but this is probably my favorite one yet since Christmas Wrapping is my favorite Christmas song of all time. Sarcastic,appreciative of Christmas (but not really) and unmistakably 80s. Now that the singer has passed away the song always makes me feel a little sad too,especially now that I’m older than she was when she died. Merry Christmas Dan and I’ll watch these videos until you stop making them. (Christmas in Hollis is my 2nd favorite)
Despite working in radio from 1982 to 1994, I never once heard this song until about 2012 when I bought a car with XM radio and this was playing on Sirius' Holly channel. While not in my personal "Top Ten" Christmas tracks, I have to confess a smile or two every November when I hear the opening riff for the first time.
I love this song and anybody I play it for has never heard it LOl. I bought the cd from Amazon a few years ago but I remember it playing on the radio in the 80s. Patty Donahue was so beautiful
I remember seeing the "I Know What Boys Like" video multiple times on MTV even though it never hit heavy rotation, and i had both albums for YEARS until i got rid of all my records because i got tired of having to move them all every time i moved into a new apartment. THEN of course soon afterwards i got an opportunity i never expected to finally buy a home where i would have had room for them.
That recording sessions sounds like my attempts to photograph, list, promote, sell and ship my lame shit on Poshmark 3 weeks before Christmas to get desperately needed January rent money. It’s not a good feeling - but Christmas Wrapping is a great, true song!!🎄🎁 And…well..everything involved with Square Pegs…totally different head - totally!!!
A mini-documentary dedicated to one of my all time favorite songs, in-and-out of the holidays? THANK YOU SECRET GALAXY!
THIS is one of your all time favorites?
I’ve always considered Christmas Wrapping to be the most relatable and contemporary holiday song. It’s my favorite.
Me too and the Ramones Merry Christmas Baby (I Don't Wanna Fight Tonight).
the bass line gets me
Me too!
I was working in a bar in 1996 and Patty passed away in December. Listening to "Christmas Wrapping" that year was very heartbreaking. The club DJ played it as the last song of the night for the rest of the month. RIP Patty and thank you Chris for the gift that keeps on giving, EVERY year. It's one of the very few holiday songs I'll never tire of.
Patty was a mean drunk and wasn't a nice person to anyone really, if you knew her in real life like I did, you wouldn't be heartbroken.
@@GoobersGalore-t9lwhat an unnecessary comment
Rest in peace Atari. You played well.
The Atari 2600+ was released last month.. 46 years after it's original release.
Unless you are talking about your on personal Atari console, this couldn't be further from the truth. Atari has put out a bunch of 50th anniversary collections, consoles and even bought a few video game studios recently. Including one of the best at creating retro game collections: Digital Eclipse.
RIP Toy Galaxy. You used to talk about toys.
@@franklinthomas7213Have you been holding on to that since the rebrand? 🤣🤣🤞
The system is literally being sold right now!!!
As a woman of a certain age from Northeast Ohio, this video brought back so many memories. So many great almost un-heard now musicians from the 1980s from the Cleveland and Akron area! We haven't forgotten them, still have the cassette tapes and cds, and photos from the concerts. It was also a neat surprise to see a clip from the Afternoon Exchange local tv show.
I went to Denison University in the early 80s, and was exposed to so many great Midwest bands like Michael Stanley and the like, only to find out when I returned home that no one knew about them outside The Buzzard and other Ohio stations :(
truth
Best Christmas song. Takes me back to 1982, when I was, for a change, happy in my relationship. Came home from work on Christmas Eve, put the EP on the turntable while I waited for my girlfriend to arrive, and sang along with the final lyrics over and over, "Couldn't miss this one this year!" Of course she later ended up dumping me in a horrible way, but the memory of that good Christmas stays with me.
I can Relate...
Yep, unfortunately, I know that scenario.
Surprised so many people didn't know this song, it was massive in the UK, it's been part of my Christmas for 40 years.
It's played very regularly in the United States.
@@PapagenoMF have never heard it played anywhere. maybe it's a middle of the country thing. i don't know. didn't even know the song exists at all.
I heard a DJ tell the story of the song and he mentioned how the royalties helped Patti's family through the years, like she was providing for them from the beyond.
How did she pass away?
@@MBedell-VA lung cancer at 40 years young
I wonder what she actually got in royalties since Chris wrote the song and the music. In those cases where the singer doesn't write any of the songs, they usually don't get that much in residuals. Maybe Chris helped out the family, though I don't think he got along with Patty after the band broke up. Sad stuff.
9:58 So that’s why I always think of “I Know What Boys Like”, and “Square Pegs” together…. Didn’t realize the connection.
I was a great fan of the Waitresses from when they first released I Know What Boys Like, and have always adored “Christmas Wrapping”. I was lucky enough to see the band at The Bottom Line in Greenwich Village, NYC, what a fine show!
You omit one very important fact about the band’s drummer Billy Ficca, who’s also the drummer in Television, one of the most important bands of the NYC CBGB scene.
I was obsessed with the Waitresses in the early 80s. I still have the "Wasn't Tomorrow Wonderful?" LP and "I Could Rule the World If I Could Only Get the Parts" EP (with its album advisory emblazoned on the cover!). Patty's vocals had this "been there, done that" quality that I really dug as a young girl. Also, my family hated her vocals, which made me love them all the more. Ha! RIP, Patty. You are always remembered.
Christmas Wrapping is not only my favorite Christmas song, it's the only Christmas song I like at all. Thanks for this informative video guys!
There's 3 christmas songs that I like: Christmas Wrapping, Fairytale of New York and 2000 Miles (The Pretenders).
I kind of like that one where Santa Claus gets his ass kicked what will the name of that one
Check out "Merry Christmas from the Family" by Robert Earl Keene.
I recently rewatched the entirety of "Square Pegs" and it's super charming. The Waitresses' theme song is clever/catchy and as mentioned in the Secret Galaxy video they do perform "I Know What Boys Like" (and "Square Pegs") at a school dance in one of the episodes.
Also, "Christmas Wrapping" is (almost) the only Christmas song that warms my cold Grinch heart, ever since I first heard it as a teen in the 1980s.
I still can't believe you guys did a video on my favorite Christmas song. Thank you so much for this.
Thanks for presenting The Waitresses! They are one of my favorite bands. To my surprise, I found out in 1985 that I knew Patty's mother. Patty's mom worked at my high school, and had a photo of The Waitresses on her desk.
OMG soooo glad yall covered this song. I've only heard it on the radio but they never gave the title. Mystery solved! Thanks!
I stumbled across this song more than five years ago after my wife died and wondered WTF Christmas song is THIS?!
I just figured it was another great band from the '80s that I was never all that aware of, though I was familiar with the song "I Know What Boys Like." That one got a lot of play in my circles back in the day.
A wild story, right out of Ohio. It's Perfect. This is just the kind of "I'll tell YOU what Punk is!!" attitude that I always associated with what I've come to understand of The Waitresses.
Thank you so much, and I really appreciated your telling of this story.
Merry Christmas, yeah, yeah, whatever…
I never knew any of this about a song that is one of my favorite holiday songs. Christmas Wrapping was played every year for my annual holiday special episode of my college radio show for four years. It has since held a special place in my heart and made several appearances on various burned CDs/mix tapes. Also, Christmas in Hollis is another perennial favorite.
Lastly, I absolutely LOVE that you included that scene from Better Off Dead!
"Sorry your mom blew up, Ricky."
“Harrison Ford is gonna be with us…” another rising star
I met Chris last week when my band played a show with Chris' band that he plays drums with... very nice guy
Had lunch with him at CBGBs in the mid 80s. This was after the band had split. He didn’t have nice things to say about Patty.
My band also opened for the Waitresses, but it was just Patty and some LA hair metal guys. She was very nice though.
Billy Ficca plays with a friend of mine.
I also met Mars when my band opened for Our Daughters Wedding. He was very nice. RIP.
Best "contemporary" Christmas tune ever!! 80's baby!!!
Christmas Wrapping has become my favorite Christmas song. Any cover of the song ranges from barely tolerable to terrible. The Waitresses is a good band, I got their Deluxe Special compilation last year. Damned good songs.
The song is still popular here in the UK. Being played in pubs to shopping centres. Even getting play time on national radio. I surprisingly, after watching the video I came down and the song was playing on BBC Radio 2. You don't get anything bigger.
Also my favourite top three are the ones done Wizard, Slade and Paul McCartney. All ones from the 70s.
As someone who doesn’t like Christmas music at all, this song is my favorite and has been for a few years. You just completely blew my mind with this video, I had no idea about any of this 😁
You don't even like "mistress for Christmas" ??? 😮
You should check out The Chieftains (and guests) The Bells of Dublin album. For nontraditional, The Rebel Jesus with Jackson Browne is wonderful.
Wow! There's history on this! One of my favorite Christmas holiday songs. Thank you!
RIP Patty Donahue ❤
And Mars Williams.
not a fake band at all, i saw them around the cleve back in the day. this is one of two incredible clev/akron suburban christmas classix, the other being 2000 miles by the pretenders.
Yeah, what’s up with calling them a fake band. They put out several albums and toured. Strange
Well, I think his point is only that the band formed to play a preexisting song, not a band that formed and then created. But real they were: I saw them in 1982 in NYC on the pier and they rocked it out.
@@dongiovanni6796 Not true. The Waitresses recorded and released I Know What Boys Like with Patty Donahue before Christmas Wrapping became a hit on holiday radio. The former song was the band’s expected hit song and were surprised that Christmas Wrapping had become the hit song.
I also saw them at The Continental in Buffalo in the early '80's.
Me too
The Waitresses' drummer Billy Ficca, prior to joining the Waitresses, was drummer for the NYC band Television, an early fixture of CBGBs and that burgeoning 70s punk scene, great stuff
I’ve read or listened to several interviews with Chris Butler over the years. He never gives even a morsel of credit to Patty Donahue for the success of Christmas Wrapping, but he seems to be happy to give a detailed account of how he was entirely responsible for the song. That song doesn’t see the light of day without Patty’s voice, attitude, phrasing and delivery. I’m skeptical of the story Chris tells because he makes it all about himself.
Individuals always like to take credit for success that is collaborative.For years the history books read that the Animals keyboardist Alan Price arranged their hit version of 'House Of The Rising '.Several years later the other members dispute this and said he wasn't even in the studio when they were putting the song together.He still insists to this day that he arranged everything.😁
FINALLY someone on youtube speaking at the correct pace. God bless you.
you can change the playback speed
Chris Butler is a life long friend of mine. I first met him in grade school when he was playing drums in a High School band called the King's English. I used to see him when he was playing bass with the Numbers Band in Kent, Ohio; one of his band mates was Terry Hyde, Chrissy's brother. (Yes, That Chrissy of The Pretenders). Meanwhile I moved to the Boston area, into a big rent-controlled apartment; when The Waitresses played in Boston, they used to crash in my apartment. I knew Patty Donahue pretty well; she was a fun-loving adventurous, black Irish party girl, whom I liked a great deal. I was very sad when the band broke up, even sadder when Patty passed away. But I will always be grateful to Chris, Patty, Mars, Tracey, Dan, and Billy for all their good music and concerts.
This is so out of left field and amazing. This is one of my favorite songs and to know every ridiculous thing about how it came to pass is pretty incredible. Thank you! Well done!! So good!!!🎅
Oh, my God, you don’t just do games, toys, and movies? This is amazing. You’re the best.
3:55 - man that shut down of the interview felt brutal
I've had lunch a Jerry's Diner in Kent. It was torn down years ago but was a mainstay of Kent and KSU students.
In my 46 almost 47 years of being on this planet, I swear I have never heard of this song or this song itself, unless it was on the background somewhere and I wasn't paying attention.
But I swear true story, I heard it playing at a store, literally just 2-3 days ago, I thought to myself "this is a catchy song, sounds so 80s", so I took out my phone and did the google music search thing and found the song played it again the next day at work, looked up info on it and the band. And now it's funny that Secret Galaxy is doing a video on it.
I was in school at Kent during this time and remember all these bands (and Jerry's). I moved back to Kent a few years ago and the Numbers still play every month or so. This is back when bar bands were innovative and fun.
"Christmas Wrapping" is my fave Christmas song. It always helps me de-stress from the holiday madness.
“Christmas in Hollis” is my favorite Christmas song too, second favorite would probably be The McKenzie Brothers’ “12 Days of Christmas.” The Three Stooges’ “I Got a Cold for Christmas” is way up there too.
Merry Christmas to all of you, and thanks for the video!
I'm Simply, Having, a Wonderful Christmas Time. Santa Claus is Coming to Town and All I Want for Christmas is Christmas Wrapping.
A delightful homage to my favorite Christmas song! So favorite that I knew most of the story but so well researched that I learned plenty new. And thank you for delivering it with such empathy and affection!
And ironically, they're still better known for "I Know What Boys Like". I feel like "Christmas Wrapping" has picked up much more notoriety in recent years than it generally had for the previous 40. It was more of a minor cult hit at best. At least in the US.
Yeah. "I Know What Boys Like" has been on several "Best 1-hit Wonder" TV specials, and at least one "Best 1-hit Wonder" CD compilation.
"Christmas Wrapping" seems like it came to prominence in the Internet's "Listicle Age", as sites like Buzzfeed and Upworthy would include it in articles with titles like "10 Best Alt Xmas Songs" or "25 Anti-Xmas Anthems". And being on "Glee" surely helped as well.
Meh, I still think of the Square Pegs theme song when I think of them.
[Looks blankly in UK Top 40 of 1981]
@@rog2224 Hence " at least in the US".
I always felt like it became an instant Christmas classic in the US. Have heard it on the radio every year since it's release.
Christmas Wrapping is by far my favorite Christmas Song. Thank you so much for doing the research and producing this video. Now the story behind the song is even more fun than the song itself.
I always imagined I would meet the love of my life at “the only all night grocery” on Christmas Eve!!
I loved both those songs when they were new, "I Know What Boys Like" and "Christmas Wrapping".
Had a boyfriend, now deceased, who also loved them.
He would be tickled to learn this history behind the songs and the band.
He introduced me to the music of Devo, Warren Zevon, and Tom Waits.
I introduced him to Loudon Wainwright III, Steve Goodman, and John Prine.
God, I miss him.
RIP Mars Williams. I am a big fan of The Waitresses so no surprise, this is my favorite Christmas song. My 2nd favorite is 2000 Miles by the Pretenders. The songs have a bit of melancholy which is why I love them.
He was a really nice guy. We were fellow musician pen pals.
@@rman52 i really don't think he gets enough credit for his work.
@@toddramsey3799 I totally agree. That whole band was extremely talented. Especially Tracy Wormworth and Mars.
2000 miles is good but Chrissie Hynde's version of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas almost brings me to tears every time, it's just so damn beautiful.
Thanks for this video. I had no idea of their backstory even though I bought their EP after seeing them on Square Pegs. I liked the combination of horns and the ironically droll lead singer.
I never knew the name of this song or this band until this video, thank you!
Also, I am fascinated that this Channel started as Toy Galaxy and developed into a pop-culture review format. I am always entertained by your work. Dan, you have a charming presence, I have watched many of your videos simply because no matter how interested I am in the subject matter, I know I am going to have a good time.
Merry Christmas, happy new year to you and yours.
My favorite Christmas song has got to be "Snoopy's Christmas" by The Royal Guardsmen. It's not the usual Christmas "sound," but the story it tells is a perfect illustration of the kind of magic the holiday holds for many people.
Yes. YES YES YES YES YES.
Yes, that’s a good one (“Merry Christmas, my friend!”)
This is my Christmas jam. Had no idea it had so much history 😂❤
This history gives me some insight into why the song resonated with me so. It's an absolute favorite of mine.
Great video! Honestly I didn’t know what to expect but I truly enjoyed the behind the scenes of this song. I actually became a fan of the song through Save Ferris cover…didn’t even realize it was a cover until today lol
i know what boys like- I know what guys want. Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas, oh I think I'll miss this one this year. Love it. Fab. -NYC metro heard these songs since day one and they have been played regularly, forever. Great tunes. God Bless the deceased.
This is THE Christmas song for me, and has been for a while. Having worked in restaurants where they had Christmas music on 2-hour loops, it would slowly make one homicidal.
My holidays are not complete until I hear this song! I got hip to it in the late 90s and it is definitely in my top five favorite Xmas songs. I'm right here in the Cleveland area and have no clue how I missed the local connection! D'OH! Also a huge shoutout to Tracy Wormworth 😍
I called "The Waitresses" a quirky, early alternative band. Also, that bass line should have been turned up in the final mix. It makes the song interesting and unforgettable!
I saw The Waitresses in Boston around 1982(?). Great show. Also, for the record, Tin Huey is one of the most criminally overlooked bands in history. And one more thing: Bill Ficca was also the drummer in Televison.
Great bass playing
Happy Holidays, Dan and Greg!
Patty Donahue was one of the greatest female singers of the '80s. Her combination of attitude, innocence, nerdiness, sex appeal, and sarcasm was perfect for the time. She's sorely missed.
I remember coming across this back in 2016/2017 when I was looking for other Christmas music outside of the ones I've heard on the radio, and this one stuck out to me so much, I ended up liking it. However, for many years the original recording audio wasn't available on RUclips until years later, and thus, re-downloaded the higher quality one, and thus, Christmas Wrapping ended up becoming my favorite of all time, along with The Christmas Song by both Nat King Cole & Mel Torme.
My dad absolutely loves this song!! I've heard it before..but, I re-listen to it, and caught it during Fred Claus (2009) with Vince Vaun & Paul Giamatti. Fred Claus has become one of my favorites!!🎄😊
Awesome video, this is my second favorite alternative Christmas song behind The Pogues - Fairytale of New York. Happy Holidays!
It’s my favorite song for Christmas. I listen to it often during this season!
That was brilliant! Such a great Xmas tune like Stop The Cavalry never tire of playing out at Xmas everyone seems to know it. Such a great backstory too! 😊
Heard this song for the first time when I was at IU and studying for finals. Love it!
Not a fake band, just a fake title for this video
4.37 - Am I hallucinating - Tin Huey footage? And a contrabass saxophone played by someone who isn't Anthony Braxton?
Thanks for the shout out to the cover by the cast of Wicked! That was the first version I ever heard; remains an annual classic.
I think my favorite Christmas song is probably "Fairytale of New York" by the Pogues, in spite of the slur. It's such a beautiful reflection on regret and codependence. "Merry Xmas Everybody" by Slade is another contender.
Great work. The source material (video/articles etc) was very appreciated. Thanks!
I literally heard this song in a Rite-Aid pharmacy today, and I "Shazamed" it, just now sat down to to buy the Mp3, saw there were two versions, so came to youtube to listen to them both, and in my search saw that Secret Galaxy...MY favoritest Secret Galaxy, did a Christmas episode on this same song A YEAR AGO and I somehow missed it?? My head is swimming 🤯 and you guys are awesome 😄
I too am a Christmas in Hollis fan but this is a tight second. Thank you for making this!
Christmas Wrapping has quickly grown to be one of my top 3 Christmas songs, I relate to it more and more each year, and helps remind me to lighten up a little, it's Christmas.
I'm so glad I found this channel. Very well researched, and I absolutely love the format.
The Kinks Father Christmas was another cynical Christmas song from that year.
I used to HATE Christmas Wrapping. But I grew to appreciate it so much as I got older.
Thanks! I never knew the name of the song, yet it’s always been one of my favorite songs to listen to during the season.
I love this song, long version's in my Holiday Collection
loooooved, wound love to see SG do more music stories
I'm familiar with the song, but only with an entirely different version of it by someone else. I had no idea that this song was originally sung by another band. Thanks for the history lesson!
One of my favorite Christmas songs, would probably have to be "This Christmas seems like the very first Christmas to me" from SpongeBob SquarePants.
I've only ever heard the original version by the Waitresses, which is NOT the one played in this video.
One of the most fun basslines there is. Unfortunately, I've never been able to find a LIVE video where Tracy Wormworth is playing the bassline the same way as the recording...which makes be believe it was recorded with their previous bassist, Dave Hofstra.
Absolutely crazy that one of, if not, my favorite Christmas song was written against the band's will
One of my favorite Christmas songs. I actually saw them live in '82 or '83 sometime, and won their album from a show on some Long Island radio station. Me and The Waitresses have history. 😉
Excellent VO work, Dan. Seamless editing.
The waitresses had 2 full length LP's,2 EP's,and a handful of singles that were all so incredible and amazing and still completely relevant all between 1981-1983.. they were New Wave but the musicianship was so talented that's why it holds up today and incredibly witty, catchy,well constructed songs
Great video. I just learned off Christmas Wapping today and it up-lifted me. Let's just enjoy and not stress.
“Christmas on Riverside Drive” by August Darnell (Dan said his name!) is a sizzler, and is worth checking out. It’s on “A Christmas Record” and was released as a B-side on the “Christmas Wrapping” single
I love this song, and I had no idea it had such a unique history!
I’ve been watching Toy/Secret Galaxy since Action Toys Bike Robo came out. I love all your videos,but this is probably my favorite one yet since Christmas Wrapping is my favorite Christmas song of all time. Sarcastic,appreciative of Christmas (but not really) and unmistakably 80s. Now that the singer has passed away the song always makes me feel a little sad too,especially now that I’m older than she was when she died.
Merry Christmas Dan and I’ll watch these videos until you stop making them. (Christmas in Hollis is my 2nd favorite)
Wild. I could not have named this song to save my life, but that hornline has been etched in my brain for decades.
My favourite Christmas Song. I'm glad it's had the Secret Galaxy treatment.
Yo! A song backstory! Brilliant! Thanks for this!
Despite working in radio from 1982 to 1994, I never once heard this song until about 2012 when I bought a car with XM radio and this was playing on Sirius' Holly channel. While not in my personal "Top Ten" Christmas tracks, I have to confess a smile or two every November when I hear the opening riff for the first time.
I love this song and anybody I play it for has never heard it LOl. I bought the cd from Amazon a few years ago but I remember it playing on the radio in the 80s. Patty Donahue was so beautiful
I remember seeing the "I Know What Boys Like" video multiple times on MTV even though it never hit heavy rotation, and i had both albums for YEARS until i got rid of all my records because i got tired of having to move them all every time i moved into a new apartment. THEN of course soon afterwards i got an opportunity i never expected to finally buy a home where i would have had room for them.
By coincidence _Christmas Wrapping_ is my second favorite too, after No Doubt’s cover of the Vandals’ _Oi to the World_ 😁
"Oi to the World" is my absolute favorite Christmas song too
@@TitularHeroine 🤘🎅🏼🤘
That recording sessions sounds like my attempts to photograph, list, promote, sell and ship my lame shit on Poshmark 3 weeks before Christmas to get desperately needed January rent money. It’s not a good feeling - but Christmas Wrapping is a great, true song!!🎄🎁 And…well..everything involved with Square Pegs…totally different head - totally!!!
KENT STATE DEATHS
JEFFREY DAHMER
Thanks Dan. It’s literally my favorite modern Holiday song.