As we countdown to the release of Star Wars: The Last Jedi this week , we look back all the out-there things from the galaxy far, far away.
Yeah, as if the Star Wars Holiday Special was not weird enough but then there was the ‘Christmas in the Stars’ album. It was released in November 1980 through RSO Records with producer Meco Menardo and music composed by Broadway song-smith Maury Yeston. It is beyond odd with a kiddie feel and mad takes on various Star Wars side characters all doing some holiday themed songs that sound like songs that you would think written by comedy music titan Weird Al Yankovic, except they weren’t. Chalk it up as “so bad, it’s good”.
Here is the track list.
- “Christmas in the Stars” – 3:17
- “Bells, Bells, Bells” – 3:15
- “The Odds Against Christmas” – 3:04
- “What Can You Get a Wookiee for Christmas (When He Already Owns a Comb?)” – 3:24
- “R2-D2 We Wish You a Merry Christmas” – 3:16
- “Sleigh Ride” – 3:36
- “Merry, Merry Christmas” – 2:09
- “A Christmas Sighting (‘Twas the Night Before Christmas)” – 3:43
- “The Meaning of Christmas” – 8:08
The album did well on the popularity of Star Wars at the time, but never saw a second pressing due to the RSO Records going out of business due to an unrelated lawsuit. That makes the vinyl a real collectors item for fans. It’s also worth noting this album features the first known recorded vocal performance of Jon Bon Jovi. Yes, he’s on this record performing “R2D2, We Wish You a Merry Christmas”. Yes, that’s a real song with the lyrics ” And if the snow becomes too deep, just give a little beep / We’ll go in by the fire and warm your little wires / Spreading Christmas cheer will be easy with you here.” It is a real song, and for many reasons I can not defend, it is my all-time favorite Christmas song.
Over the years around Christmas, I pull together an oddball holiday playlist of eccentric deep tracks from this album and others that I heard on the “Dr. Demento Show’ on 97.9 The Loop, This music files in that novelty category of just zany over-the-top and though it’s not necessarily great, it’s delightful in a genuine way for Star Wars fans of all ages.
It’s demented influence continued to make impact generations later. Tarquin Records, an indie rock label out of Connecticut put out this brilliant holiday compilation of non-traditional holiday songs, and it won me over when alt solo artist Brian Dewan crushed a cover from the ‘Christmas in the Star Wars’ album. It’s honestly better than the original with sound effects, keyboard blips, and soft electric organ plus a gang vocals. It’s nerdy and neat to think of someone this holiday out there drinking the egg nog in a turtle neck and giving a robot a meaningful gift.
