Simply Having a Wonderful Xmastime

Paul’s still talking about this dream. Jesus Christ their first album only took 10 hours to record, this might challenge that. Wrap it up, Macca! Nobody cares! Move on to writing Wonderful Christmastime already! - XMASTIME

People love to hate on Paul McCartney's classic Wonderful Christmastime, and some folks think there's reasons for that, including:

It may have something to do with the structure, or lack thereof. According to musicologist and performer Nate Sloan, co-host of the acclaimed podcast Switched On Pop, “Wonderful Christmastime” is "simple to a fault".

"It moves through the verse section of the song faster than a sleigh with no brakes. Before you know it, 'that’s enough' and we’re off to the titular chorus. It’s like you’ve barely finished your eggnog before someone shoves a plate of ham in your face.

Wait, when did "don't bore us, get to the chorus!" become a bad thing?!?!!

I've always loved that Lennon & McCartney both wrote Christmas songs now in the canon that perfectly match what we think of each of them:

Composition and sonic texture are important, but with a song like “Wonderful Christmastime,” lyrics are also crucial. Compared to something like Lennon’s “Happy Xmas,” “Wonderful Christmastime” feels light and inconsequential. Instead of asking a deep question like, “So this is Christmas, and what have you done?,” McCartney looks around the holiday party and decides, “We’re here tonight, and that’s enough.”

Also, I'd say this video for the song reflects what I've repeatedly heard Paul talk about how much he enjoyed family gatherings as a kid. His dad would play the piano and his large, extended family would all do fun, drunken sing-alongs, with uncle after uncle saying some funny shit. Macca always seems happy to say that now he's the one at the piano, watching all of his grandchildren have a great time like he did as a youngster. Nice!