2025 Competition Entry:

Christmas Isn’t Christmas (Without You) by Greg Lastrapes

Genre

Pop

Website

Co-writer(s)

no

Performer(s)

Karissa Noel

Description

In support of her newly released single, Corrupt, Karissa Noel was invited to perform at a Christmas show for a pop radio station in Modesto, CA. She wanted to perform a classic Christmas song, but was torn as to which she might choose. I offered to write her a new Christmas classic, she loved it, and that’s how the song was born.

Bio

Born in 1968, I’m a native Angeleno and former showbiz kid. I first sang on stage at the age of seven, and by the time I was twelve, I had earned my SAG and AFTRA union cards. In the early 1980s, I appeared in the popular live kids’ cabaret Let’s Put On a Show, which ran for nearly three years at the legendary Roxy on Sunset.
In my early twenties—while hustling as a recording studio runner and engineer—I squeezed in studio time whenever possible to record my band and dove headfirst into the Hollywood music scene. In the 1990s, I became a published songwriter and ASCAP memeber, with co-writes on albums by Shivaree (Capitol Records) & Karissa Noel (Epic Records).
For the last couple of decades, I’ve worked as a first-call session singer for advertising, lending my voice to international jingles for brands like Apple, Visa, IKEA, Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Mattel, and Fiat, as well as film and TV productions such as La La Land, Mad Men, The Simpsons, and many more.
I also have a background in filmmaking and design and have directed music videos for Ambrosia Parsley and Holly Miranda. In 2023, I had the honor of directing the music video for my daughter Scarlet’s debut single, Shady Little Lady, as well as co-producing the track with her.

Lyrics

Silver bells are ringing,
Children laugh and lovers coo.
‘Tis the season once again,
And once again I’m without you.

Strings of light and garland decorate the window sill.
Yuletide fire and apple cider ease the winter chill.
Carolers, like choirs of angels, radiate good cheer.
Still, I find that I can’t help but wish that you were here.

A wreath hangs on the door for every passerby to see.
Beads and bulbs and tinsel ornament our Christmas tree.
The world outside is joyful, love, but deep inside I’m blue
‘Cause, darlin’, Christmas isn’t Christmas without you.

I’ll hang the mistletoe although I know
Tonight I won’t be kissed.
And you are still the only thing I’ve asked for
On my Christmas list.
I know it’s selfish of me wishing you were
Here to hold my hand,
But never fear, my dear,
Your little missus understands…

That if I had you to myself each year on Christmas Eve,
There’d be no toy delivery for those who still believe.
And children all around the world are counting on you, too,
‘Cause, Santa, Christmas isn’t Christmas without you.
I tell you true, my baby,
Christmas isn’t Christmas without you.

Hurry home, Santa!

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