12 Songs Of Christmas – Two –
girlhouse: “Ugly Xmas Sweater Party”
Over 12 (working) days, I’m suggesting 12 songs that probably don’t get the airplay they deserve this time of year and should be regarded as Christmas/Seasonal Classics.
In 2020, girlhouse gifted us one of THE most perfect Christmas songs of recent times. This song is a warm, evocative, and bittersweet seasonal tune that delves into the sometimes fraught relationship dynamics during the festive period. Singer-songwriter Lauren Luiz (girlhouse) skillfully juxtaposes a failing relationship with the kitschy allure of an ugly Christmas sweater party.
Luiz reflects on the relationship, pinpointing when the writing on the wall first became apparent, singing, “Flashback to Halloween, oh yeah, we should’ve seen it coming/ (I was Dennis the Menace, you were good at being Ted Bundy) you were way too good at being Ted Bundy, and now I’m walking down an avenue under the lights, thought that we were bulletproof, I don’t know why.”
Luiz seems to accept the inevitability of the situation, as tears and tinsel, mulled wine, and the impending end of the line all combine in an emotionally charged seasonal mix. It’s perfectly delivered by Luiz’s melodious, peal-of-bells vocals and is unequivocally a modern-day Christmas classic and one that deserves a spot on everybody’s festive playlist.
“all of our lies are covered in tinsel now
thought we could hide, thought the whiskey would drown it out
this cities cold, but we getting colder
wrapped in a bow, we’re getting nowhere
oooh oooh
left out in the snow, we’re getting nowhere”