Introduction
On the first day of Christmas 2015 I awoke to the news that LCD Soundsystem had released a new single during the night. Unfortunately fractions too late for the limited vinyl release, but: new music by my favorite band who had disbanded in 2011!
2015
During the year rumors were abound that the band would perform live again, which was fiercely denied by DFA Records, the label co-owned by LCD Soundsystem front man James Murphy.
But then it was December 24th, 2015: seemingly out of nowhere a new song was released, filled with the spirit of Christmas, LCD Soundsystem style: Christmas Will Break Your Heart!
That very same day Murphy announced the news via Twitter with the words:
so, there’s been this depressing christmas song i’d been singing to myself for the past 8 years, and every year i wouldn’t remember that i wanted to make it until december, which is just too late to actually record and release a christmas song… but this year, al doyle had a short break between hot chip tours where he could be in nyc, and pat and nancy were home, and tyler agreed to fly out from berlin for a few days, so we all recorded this together, reserved a pressing plant slot, and our friend bob weston was available to master it quickly—so that means, less than 2 weeks after we recorded it, there is actually a christmas 7″, which feels like something that could only have happened a very, very long time ago.
anyway, for the holidays we give you the previous, very long run-on sentence, and this song: “christmas will break your heart”, which is another one of those songs which had about 75 lines of lyrics, though we’ve knocked down to 8 to keep the suicide rate in check.
have fun!
james murphy, 12/25/2015
LCD Soundsystem – Christmas Will Break Your Heart (2015)
Christmas Will Break Your Heart
The single was available as a limited vinyl release (only 1,000 copies), with one playable side, which had just sold-out when I got the news. It was also available through Apple Music, where I bought the song immediately. Such bliss! Finally new music by LCD Soundsystem!
Lyrics
The lyrics to the “depressing christmas song”:
Christmas will break your heart
If your world is feeling small
There’s no one on the phone
You feel close enough to callChristmas will crush your soul
Like that laid back rock ‘n’ roll
But your body’s getting old
It’s much too tired to be so boldChristmas can wreck your head
Like some listless awkward sex
So you refuse to leave your bed
Get depressed when no one checksChristmas will break your heart
Like the armies of the unrelenting dark
Once the peace talks fall apartBut still I’m coming home to you
Christmas will shove you down
So just lay back in the snow
That quiet wind won’t wake
What inside you has grown coldChristmas will drown your love
Like a storm down from above
On your fading memories of a normal lifeOh while I thought to make you mine
Believing in the line
That your heart would melt with timeAnd though you’re out with them again
Your thick and fickle friends
They might replace the love that endsBut still I’m coming home to you
To you
To you
To you
Yes you
To you
To you
To youWhat if you’re done?
What if you don’t want it anymore?
So what if they’re gone?
So what if they don’t love you anymore?I’m coming home
Can you see me?
Can you still see me?
Hey mama, take my hand!© 2015 LCD Soundsystem
LCD Soundsystem – Christmas Will Break Your Heart (2020)
Song
Song written by Al Doyle, Pat Mahoney, James Murphy, Tyler Pope, Nancy Whang and Morgan Wiley.
- Christmas Will Break Your Heart
What came next
In January 2016 official announcements were made that LCD Soundsystem would perform at that year’s Coachella Festival. And, a new album was underway, which would be released in 2017 entitled American Dream.
In 2020 the Christmas Will Break Your Heart single was re-released on vinyl throught the DFA Records website: “Single-sided 7″ originally released in 2015. Cut fresh for 2020 by Chocolate Bob Weston and pressed at Brooklynphono as the snow falls in NYC.” Got the vinyl after all!
In closing
What do you think of Christmas Will Break Your Heart? Let me know!
Video/Spotify
This story contains an accompanying video. Click on the following link to see it: Video: LCD Soundsystem – Christmas Will Break Your Heart. The A Pop Life playlist on Spotify has been updated as well.
