Every song on Lite Brite Pegs has a personal connection to my Christmas memories, dreams, or perceptions. Hopefully, some of you will connect with at least one of them in some form. Below is a little snippet of the thoughts behind each song.
Track 1: Bell Strings
An instrumental start to set the Christmas mood…. A few years ago, I went to a Jim Brickman Christmas concert with my sister who may be his biggest fan. This is my very, very poor attempt to mimic his style.
Track 2: Christmas Eve Complete
Growing up, Christmas Eve always included a drive around the town looking at Christmas light decorations. It was a simple tour, but one that I eagerly awaited. One of our local radio stations played Christmas tunes all evening rather than their regular programming. Those songs have become an indelible part of my holiday memories. This song is a tribute to those tracks and artists that still make Christmas Eve complete for me.
Track 3: Once Again
Once again is a personal song about the ability of the holiday season to restore hope and belief in the face of daily struggles and life's challenges and help us rebuild optimism with the simplicity of flittering leaves, audible footsteps, and chilly moonlit nights.
Track 4: Max
Dr Seuss' 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas!' is a Christmas masterpiece. But while most people focus on the Grinch's reinvention or Cindy Lou Who's charming innocence, I find Max to be the most interesting character by far and the true moral compass of the tale. How does a little pup filled with such loyalty and kindness endure living with someone as vile and mean as the Grinch. Could it be that he has known the truth all along?
Track 5: Magic 8 Ball
I originally wrote this song as an emotional ballad. I had intended to write a song about a letter to Santa, but as the lyrics came together, what formed was a prayer pleading for more simplicity and clarity in my life. I've since re-imagined the song with a sort of indie-rock twist and a more uplifting tone. This track is the origin of the Lite Brite Pegs name to the album.
Track 6: Emerson D. Elf MD
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a doctor at the North Pole? Well I have, and I wrote a song about it. Meet Emerson D. Elf MD, the slightly irritated, almost merry, personal doctor for the Big Guy and the Elves.
Track 7: Hello Everybody
“Hello Everybody, I should say it?” - is, in my opinion, one of the most underrated lines in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. It's uttered by Aunt Bethany as she is being led to the living room after handing over her Christmas wrapped jello mold. In my silly brain, that line seemed like a natural chorus to a song about the movie.
Tracks 8 & 9: Crashing Waves & Dreamscape Christmas
These songs offer a point / counter-point type argument between those who prefer a warm, ocean view Christmas and those that prefer the traditional snow and overcoats. Crashing Waves illustrates a Christmas without snowflakes and snowmen with my buddy Henry the Heron playing a staring role. Dreamscape Christmas, on the other hand, paints a picture of a make-belief Christmas scene of serenity and piece. Full discolsure, I am in the Dreamscape Christmas camp, but I'm still really fond of the concept and lyrics of Crashing Waves.
Track 10: Just a Little
I suppose every album needs a sad song to be complete, so here it is… Many people are affected by varying forms of chronic or seasonal depression that worsens around the holidays. It's something I know a bit about personally. This song is a plea to St. Nick for help in overcoming devastating gloom and self doubt despite the cheerful theme of the holidays. I love this song and encourage anyone who suffers from these feelings to take a step towards finding help.
Track 11: Rudolph's Nose
The Doodle dog has a few things to say about a certain celebrity Reindeer.
Track 12: Sleigh Ride
Every Christmas Album requires at least one song cover. Here's mine: Sleigh Ride with a mediocre new verse (sorry!) and a cello solo (not sorry!).