Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Behind The Christmas Hits with Drew Savage

This week on Behind The Christmas Hits - Drew gives you a peek behind the curtain about what goes into making this podcast - and the story behind the Bryan Adams hit - Christmas Time!

Bryan Joins to give the real story of the massively popular song - and Rob Thomas recalls how important the song is to him!

Pat Monahan from Train joins Behind the Christmas Hits with Drew Savage for exciting chat about the new version of ‘Christmas in Tahoe' album and all the new songs that have been added to it.

Pat Monahan tells Drew the possible recipe for writing a Christmas hit. Pat chats about some of his favourite things to do during Christmas time. He shares more about the iconic album ‘Christmas in Tahoe' getting turned into a hallmark movie and how most of it was filmed in Canada. 

Pat uncovers his Mount Rushmore of Christmas music including some iconic hits from Donne Hathaway and Bing Crosby. Pat finally leaves us with what his plans are for end of year and hat’s next including ‘Train’ joining Barenaked Ladies and Matt Nathanson on tour in 2026. #elfmovie #ChristmasinTahoe #ChristmasinTahoemovie #trainband #MattNathanson #BarenakedLadies

This week on Behind The Christmas Hits, Drew Savage is joined by Kevin Olusoa of Pentatonix to talk about their new holiday album Christmas in the City, working with Canadian Producer Dave Pierce - and how they managed to cover Frank Sinatra!

Kevin Olusoa of Pentatonix tells Drew what songs Pentatonix has tried to cover with little success - and the different ways they approach different genres.

Kevin Olusoa tells drew about how the plot of Netflix' Meet Me Next Christmas being centred around a Pentatonix concert.

Pentatonix' Kevin Olusoa tells drew about how special it is to perform at Christmas time, and what Christmas is like in his family!

Taylor Momsen joins Drew Savage for a special edition of behind the Christmas Hits to talk about her new EP Taylor Momsen's Pretty Reckless Christmas - including her all-new recording of Where Are You Christmas - Which features a duet with her 6 year old self!

Taylor Momsen talks about 25 years of the 2000 Classic live action Grinch movie, and how many fond memories she has on set from those days as a child.

Taylor Momsen talks about the tongue in cheek themes of 'Pretty Reckless Christmas' and reuniting with Jim Carrey at the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame!

Some of the most popular animated characters of the last 60 years actually debuted in a Christmas song!

This is the story of The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)

The unauthorized use of one of the most famous characters in pop culture led to a future #1 Christmas Hit.

This is the story behind Snoopy's Christmas by the Royal Guardsmen.

After getting kicked out of the studio during the sessions for one of the most revered Christmas albums ever, Brian Wilson would create a Christmas classic of his own.

This is the story behind the Christmas hit 'Little Saint Nick' by The Beach Boys.

Pack Your Bags - We're going to the South Pacific to explore the sunniest Christmas Standard ever.

This is the story of Mele Kalikimaka.

This is a complicated one... and to complicate things even further - it began as a song that wasn't intended for anyone to hear!

How did the melody to a 300 year old New Years Dance become one of the most famous Christmas Carols of all!?

This is the story of Deck The Halls

Mariah Carey is celebrating a milestone in 2024, but in this episode - we're going back to when Mariah was just becoming the Queen of Christmas!

This is The Story of 'All I Want For Christmas is You'

The boyband era of the late 90s gave us a bunch of original Christmas hits from groups like NSYNC, Backstreet Boys and the group that joins us for this episode, 98 Degrees! Nick, Drew, Justin, and Jeff are all here to talk about their Christmas hit, 'This Gift'!

They join Drew Savage to talk about their Christmas album & their My2K Tour!

They also share times when they hear their own song 'This Gift' in public!

Ron Payne joins Drew Savage to talk about working with John Hughes on movies such as National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, and of course Home Alone. 

Ron Payne worked alongside Hughes as either his music supervisor or post production supervisor on those films. 

How shares how he came to work with John Hughs, the musical production & clips cut from the films!

One of the most popular and unexpected new Christmas hits of 2024 is sung by a Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and a future NFL Hall of Famer, but it was written by a Canadian.

This is the story of Ron Sexsmith's 'Maybe This Christmas.'

Drew Savage chats with Ron Sexsmith about the lyrics and meaning behind the song, what his childhood Christmas looked like & his favourite Christmas songs!

He also shares the story about how Jason Kelce and Stevie Nicks discovered his song 'Maybe This Christmas'!

In the fall of 2000, Britney Spears was arguably the most famous person on the planet. Her first two albums sold a combined 47 million copies worldwide. Her second album, "Oops!... I Did It Again" was released in May of that year and by the fall, she was preparing to release her third single from that album. But she took a slight detour to record a Christmas song. 

This is the story of 'My Only Wish (This Year)'.

The Canadian legend Michael Bublé joins Drew Savage for a feature interview for Behind The Christmas Hits!

They chat about Michael's personal inspiration behind the song, 'Maybe This Christmas' and the emotions he wants his fans to feel.

Drew shows a clip of Phil Springer, the co-writer of 'Santa Baby' as Michael tells us the backstory of writing his interpretation of the song. 

Michael also talks all about what Christmas morning looks like in his home!

The iconic Andrew Ridgeley sits down with Drew Savage for a feature interview for Behind The Christmas Hits!

Andrew and Drew chat about writing the iconic Christmas hit at the late George Michael's House, which modern day covers he prefers, and going Christmas caroling as Wham!

Before becoming a household name, one of the biggest artists of 2024 dropped a Christmas album.

This is the story of Sabrina Carpenter's 'Fruitcake'.

If it wasn't for a broken organ in an Austrian Church, we never would have heard what would become the most recorded Christmas hit ever.

This is the story of 'Silent Night'.

Johnny Mathis says its his favourite Holiday song to sing!

It's time to learn the story behind the Christmas hit 'Sleigh Ride'.

A song commissioned for one department store was inspired by an ad for another.

This the story behind the Christmas hit 'I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus'. 

A case of mistaken identity led to the very first Christmas hit recorded by one of the greats. 

This is the story of 'Here Comes Santa Claus' by Gene Autry. 

Who does a young punk-rocker from Orange County want to grow up and be just like? If you're Gwen Stefani, it's Mariah Carey! ... At least for part of the year.

This is the story behind Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton's Christmas Hit 'You Make it Feel Like Christmas' 

Brenda Lee is a member of the Rock N Roll, Country Music, and Rockabilly Halls of Fame and has sold over 100 Million records worldwide - and Drew had the immense pleasure of talking to her!

Behind The Christmas Hits is Presented by Tylenol Arthritis, fast and long-lasting pain relief. This product may not be right for you. Always read and follow the label.

Christmas can, and probably should be a very simple time... but things always seem to spiral out of control. The feeling of what Christmas could be, and was - at least for one year inspired Katy Perry to write her platinum Christmas hit 'Cozy Little Christmas'.

This is the story of Katy Perry's 'Cozy Little Christmas'

Join Drew Savage for Behind The Christmas Hits - Season 4 every Monday throughout the Holiday Season.

Behind The Christmas Hits is Presented by Tylenol Arthritis, fast and long-lasting pain relief. This product may not be right for you. Always read and follow the label.

One of the biggest duets of the 80s lead to one of the most successful country Christmas albums ever!  This is the story behind Once Upon a Christmas by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton!

Behind The Christmas Hits is Presented by Tylenol Arthritis, fast and long-lasting pain relief. This product may not be right for you. Always read and follow the label.

How is this even possible? There hasn't been a Christmas song named after the greeting we all share every year at Christmas time!? Well there wasn't! Until Ed Sheeran and Elton John gave us one. This is the story behind the Christmas Hit 'Merry Christmas'

Behind The Christmas Hits is Presented by Tylenol Arthritis, fast and long-lasting pain relief. This product may not be right for you. Always read and follow the label.

1966. Stevie Wonder was still so young in his career and his life. He'd just turned 16 in May, and was shedding his 'little' moniker. Stevie hadn't recorded a Christmas Song before - and this one is credited as one of the first Christmas songs with a social and political message; An anti-war song.

This is the story behind the Christmas Hit 'Someday at Christmas'.

Behind The Christmas Hits is presented by Tylenol Arthritis, fast & long-lasting pain relief to help you MOVE.

One of the Most Beloved Christmas Specials gave us one of the Most Beloved Christmas Songs... but for years, nobody knew who actually sang it! 

This is the story of the Christmas Hit "You're a Mean One Mr. Grinch"

Join Drew Savage for Behind The Christmas Hits - Season 4 every Monday throughout the Holiday Season.

Behind The Christmas Hits is Presented by Tylenol Arthritis, fast and long-lasting pain relief. This product may not be right for you. Always read and follow the label.

Recording a Christmas Album was something Kelly Clarkson always wanted to do! Her first effort produced the biggest Holiday hit of the 21st Century!

This is the story of Kelly Clarkson's Underneath The Tree!

Join Drew Savage for Behind The Christmas Hits - Season 4 every Monday throughout the Holiday Season.

Behind The Christmas Hits is Presented by Tylenol Arthritis, fast and long-lasting pain relief. This product may not be right for you. Always read and follow the label.

Drew is joined by Clifton Murray of the Tenors to talk about their new Christmas Album 'Christmas with The Tenors' and their Canada-wide tour!

Join Drew Savage for Behind The Christmas Hits - Season 4 everywhere you get your podcasts!

Behind The Christmas Hits is Presented by Tylenol Arthritis, fast and long-lasting pain relief. This product may not be right for you. Always read and follow the label.

There probably isn't a singer on earth who has a more natural connection to the Christmas Holiday - and then one day - she wrote a song about it!

This is the story of Taylor Swift's Christmas Tree Farm!

Join Drew Savage for Behind The Christmas Hits - Season 4 every Monday throughout the Holiday Season.

Behind The Christmas Hits is Presented by Tylenol Arthritis, fast and long-lasting pain relief. This product may not be right for you. Always read and follow the label.

Do you remember where you were the first time you heard Outkast tell you to 'Shake it like a Polaroid Picture'?

How about when Nickelback told you to 'Look at this Photograph'?

Or when Taylor Swift provided the soundtrack to your Love story?

Join Myles Galloway as he takes you through the biggest songs in the world - with new interviews and newly unearthed archive footage from the artists themselves.

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New Episodes of Behind The Christmas Hits with Drew Savage return this Holiday Season!

Trans-Siberian Orchestra came out of nowhere in 1996 with a song called 'Christmas Eve, Sarajevo, 12-24'. And it just sounded so different than any other Christmas song at the time.

The band was formed by Paul O'Neill, a composer, lyricist, producer and guitar player who literally did everything in the music business, everything from producing albums from Aerosmith to promoting tours for Madonna. 

Paul passed away in 2017, but the band is carrying on his legacy and continues to tour at Christmas time every year. Al Pitrelli is another founding member and acts as the musical director for Trans-Siberian Orchestra. 

Al joins Drew to tell the story of TSO, rock operas, and how Christmas became so important to the band!

Join Drew Savage for Behind The Christmas Hits - Season 3! 

It's a contemporary Holiday classic, but like so many songs that become classics... it happened quite by accident!

This is the story behind the Christmas Hit 'Driving Home for Christmas' by Chris Rea.

Join Drew Savage for Behind The Christmas Hits - Season 3! 

Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20 has released Christmas music before, but last year he put out his first FULL Christmas album titled "Something About Christmas Time".

Usually making a Christmas album means you've got to get in to that Christmas spirit in May or June to record the songs - that might be tough for some... but not for Rob Thomas!

Join Drew Savage for Behind The Christmas Hits - Season 3! 

There are lots of Christmas Hits that endured for 60, 70 - even 80 years or more, but only one of those was sung by a ten year old! Gayla Peevey's "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" We sit with Gayla for the story behind the song!

Join Drew Savage for Behind The Christmas Hits - Season 3! 

It's the series of albums that gave us some of the most recognizable versions of our favourite Christmas songs and became the most successful charitable music project in history.

This is the story behind the Hit Christmas album, A Very Special Christmas.

Join Drew Savage for Behind The Christmas Hits - Season 3! 

The networks thought it was trash. The creators worried that they had ruined one of the most popular comic strips in the world, but instead a legendary special was born, and with it came one of the most iconic jazz albums ever recorded.

This is the story behind the album A Charlie Brown Christmas.

Join Drew Savage for Behind The Christmas Hits - Season 3! 

It's the most successful Christmas album of the 21st Century - and it's from a Canadian who credits another Christmas album for introducing him to a style of music that would make him a superstar.

This is the story behind the album Michael Bublé - Christmas, with words from Michael Bublé himself!

Join Drew Savage for Behind The Christmas Hits - Season 3! 

It's a modern day Christmas classic that hit the top 10 in over 20 countries - including Canada! It's recently been named one of the best Christmas songs of all time.

This is the story behind Ariana Grande's "Santa Tell Me."

Join Drew Savage for Behind The Christmas Hits - Season 3! 

Darlene Love is a Rock n Roll Hall of Famer - but her most famous song is a Christmas song! Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).

That's not her only Christmas hit though! In this episode, Darlene Love joins us to tell us the story of All Alone on Christmas (From Home Alone 2).

Stay tuned next week for two new episodes of Behind the Christmas Hits!

Many of the songs we feature have largely unknown origins - but that is not the case with this song! Still, do you know which singer was still in New York when the recording session began? And who is the one American band featured on this song?

Join Drew Savage for Behind The Christmas Hits - Season 3! 

You know there are some singers that are just so synonymous with Christmas music, that for a lot of people it just doesn't feel like the holidays without THEIR music!

Join Drew Savage as he takes chats with the Christmas Music Legend himself, Johnny Mathis!

One of the most famous Christmas Songs of all wasn't even written about the season... and has an ugly history.

Join Drew Savage as he takes you through the Christmas hit that is "Jingle Bells."

One of the most famous Christmas Duets of all time only exists because one of the singers wanted NO part of the original idea!

Join Drew Savage as he takes you through the Christmas hit that is "Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy."

The first big city Christmas song should have been a hit for Bob Hope - but bad timing means Bing Crosby would get credit for creating ANOTHER classic!

Join Drew Savage as he takes you through the Christmas hit that is "Silver Bells."

Mariah Carey is the voice of one of the biggest Christmas Hits of all time... she should have been the voice of a second!

Join Drew Savage as he takes you through the Christmas hit that is "Where Are You At Christmas."

A last minute change of plans in one of the most popular Christmas specials ever meant this throwaway song had a chance to become a classic!

Join Drew Savage as he takes you through the Christmas hit that is "Holly Jolly Christmas."

It's the song that helped Andy Williams earn the nickname "Mr. Christmas"!

Join Drew Savage as he takes you behind the Christmas hit that is "The Most Wonderful Time of The Year."