"December Will Be Magic Again" is a festive-themed song by English singer-songwriter

Kate Bush Catherine Bush (born 30 July 1958) is an English singer, songwriter, record producer, and dancer. Bush began writing songs at age 11. She was signed to EMI Records after David Gilmour of Pink Floyd helped produce a demo tape. In 1978, at the ...

. It was released as a single in the UK in November 1980. The single peaked at No. 29 in the UK and spent seven weeks on the chart.

Song release

"December Will Be Magic Again" was written and originally recorded in 1979 at Abbey Road Studio 2 London with

Preston Heyman Preston Heyman is a British record producer, drummer and percussionist. He is credited on the Kate Bush album '' Never for Ever''. Not too long afterwards, he was recruited to be the drummer for Atomic Rooster's reformation, and appeared on th ...

on drums, sleigh bells and maracas, Alan Murphy on guitar, Kuma Harada on bass and Bush on piano, but not released until 17 November 1980. The single peaked at number 29 on the UK Singles Chart, but due to its early release date had slipped before the Christmas week. No promotional video was filmed for this single, but an alternative recording of the song was performed on Bush's 1979 Christmas television special. In addition to the version on the single release, another very different cut exists (on CD) with congas played by Tour of Life drummer

and slide whistles on the rhythm track. Neither has appeared on a Kate Bush album, except for the ''This Woman's Work'' box set, but both have found their way on to various Christmas compilations. The B-side is "Warm and Soothing", a simple piece of Bush singing with just her piano accompaniment. This was the first song she recorded at

Abbey Road Studios Abbey Road Studios (formerly EMI Recording Studios) is a music recording studio at 3 Abbey Road, London, Abbey Road, St John's Wood, City of Westminster, London. It was established in November 1931 by the Gramophone Company, a predecessor of ...

. Initial pressings of the 7" single have "Cut by Chris Blair", "Songs & arrangements by Kate Bush", and "Cover by Nick Price" centered on the rear sleeve. Reissues have these acknowledgements spread out across the bottom. Originals also have "Happy Christmas" etched into the dead wax on Side A. The song was featured on the 12" single of "

Experiment IV "Experiment IV" is a song by the English singer Kate Bush. It was released as a single on 27 October 1986 to promote Bush's greatest hits album '' The Whole Story''. The single peaked at No. 23 and spent 4 weeks in the UK Singles Chart. The si ...

" and later on the second of two CD editions of the "

Moments of Pleasure "Moments of Pleasure" is a song written, produced, and recorded by British musician Kate Bush, released in November 1993 by EMI Records as the third single from Bush's seventh studio album, '' The Red Shoes'' (1993). The song peaked at No. 26 an ...

" single in 1993 and had a slightly different mix. In 2005 the song was included on

Elton John Sir Elton Hercules John (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight; 25 March 1947) is a British singer, songwriter and pianist. His music and showmanship have had a significant, lasting impact on the music industry, and his songwriting partnership with l ...

's Christmas album, '' Elton John's Christmas Party''.

Critical reception

The late Andy Gill of ''

NME ''New Musical Express'' (''NME'') is a British music, film, gaming and culture website, bimonthly magazine, and brand. Founded as a newspaper in 1952, with the publication being referred to as a "Rock music, rock inkie", the ''NME'' would be ...

'' wrote: "Looks like we'll have to endure that fairy Kate Bush". In 1990,

Stuart Maconie Stuart John Maconie (born 13 August 1961) is an English radio DJ and television presenter, writer, journalist, and critic working in the field of pop music and popular culture. He is a presenter on BBC Radio 6 Music where, alongside Mark Radc ...

deemed the song "one of the neatest Christmas tunes since Spector" in his ''This Woman's Work'' box set review. Ronnie Gurr of ''

Smash Hits ''Smash Hits'' was a British music magazine aimed at young adults, originally published by EMAP. It ran from 1978 to 2006, and, after initially appearing monthly, was issued fortnightly during most of that time. The name survived as a brand ...

'' described "novel with her optimistic December operetta".

Charts

References

{{authority control Kate Bush songs 1980 singles British Christmas songs Songs written by Kate Bush 1980 songs EMI Records singles