I Wanna Be Santa Claus

Background and recording

Ringo Starr and musical partner Mark Hudson composed "Dear Santa" and "Christmas Eve" in July 1998 at Starr's Surrey residence. The pair of the songs were recorded a few months later, between 14 and 16 September in the UK. Follow-up sessions did not commence till 8 March 1999 at Whatinthewhatthe? Studios in Los Angeles, where the tracks "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer", "The Little Drummer Boy", "Christmas Time (Is Here Again)" and further work on "Dear Santa", were taped that day. Featured on these tracks were Starr, Hudson, Jim Cox and Steve Dudas. Recorded throughout 1999 between Starr and Hudson, I Wanna Be Santa Claus—which is composed of half-and-half traditional songs and new originals—was made in several studios in the US and UK, with their families joining in and including two notable celebrity guests, Aerosmith's Joe Perry and Eagles member Timothy B. Schmit. Jeff Lynne also sings backing vocals on "Come on Christmas, Christmas Come On", "I Wanna Be Santa Claus", and "Christmas Time (Is Here Again)". The final sessions for the album were held on 8 and 9 September at Whatinthewhatthe? Studios, with mixing taking place at A&M Studios, Los Angeles and Sterling Sound, New York.

Music and lyrics

The title track is about spreading Christmas cheer on every day of the year, compared to just on Christmas Day.

Release and reception

Released on 19 October 1999, in the US by Mercury, ahead of the Christmas season, I Wanna Be Santa Claus was not a commercial success, despite its strong reviews. It was re-released on 23 September 2003 entitled 20th Century Masters: The Best of Ringo Starr/The Christmas Collection. Starr left Mercury after they had done no promotion for the album, which in turn resulted in little sales.

Track listing

1. "Come On Christmas, Christmas Come On" (Richard Starkey, Mark Hudson, Dean Grakal) – 3:36
2. "Winter Wonderland" (Felix Bernard, Richard B. Smith) – 2:55
3. "I Wanna Be Santa Claus" (Starkey, Hudson, Dick Monda) – 3:46
4. features Timothy B. Schmit on backing vocals
5. "The Little Drummer Boy" (Harry Simeone, Henry Onorati, Katherine K. Davis) – 3:19
6. features Timothy B. Schmit on backing vocals
7. "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" (Johnny Marks) – 2:21
8. "Christmas Eve" (Starkey, Hudson) – 4:26
9. "The Christmas Dance" (Starkey, Hudson, Jim Cox, Steve Dudas) – 4:06
10. followed by studio chatter in between this and the following track
11. "Christmas Time (Is Here Again)" (George Harrison, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Richard Starkey) – 4:06
12. originally recorded by The Beatles in 1967 for their annual Christmas record for members of their fan club
13. features Joe Perry on guitar solo
14. "Blue Christmas" (Bill Hayes, Jay Johnson) – 2:58
15. "Dear Santa" (Starkey, Hudson, Dudas) – 5:12
16. "White Christmas" (Irving Berlin) – 2:56
17. features Timothy B. Schmit on backing vocals
18. followed by a short violin piece in between this and the following track
19. "Pax Um Biscum (Peace Be with You)" (Starkey, Hudson, Scott Gordon) – 4:46