New Jersey’s own "Dad Rock" heroes, Chris Batten & The Woods are closing out a prolific year with their 4th new single of 2024 — "Christmas (Here With You)". The song was released on December 6th.
It’s an instant holiday classic about how the season can bring the feeling of togetherness to everyone…near, far, lost and gone — delivered through lush production and a classic backbeat that evokes the timeless holiday sounds of Phil Spector, Motown, Stax and a pinch of Springsteen.
“Writing a Christmas song is probably the hardest and most daunting task for a songwriter” laments Chris Batten. “I’ve been kicking this song around in my head for the last decade — I would hum it to myself, come up with lyrics here and there…but it took a lot to actually sit down and finish it.”
However, inspiration to finish the song struck this past summer in a familiar, but unexpected place… the Jersey Shore ocean.
“I was in the ocean with my wife and kids and for some reason the melody entered into my head” Batten recalls. “As I was humming it to myself, I just rolled into making up the bridge — lyrics and all! I swear, I jumped out of the ocean and ran for my phone to record it...cause I realized I actually might have finally finished it.”
Turns out he did and it couldn’t have happened at a better time — CB&TW have released a strong series of singles this year, receiving nationwide radio play and critical praise for their always “lush production” and the band’s “big boardwalk sound” — so when Batten floated out the idea of squeezing in “one more” release before the end of the year, they were ready to jump on it…and fast.
“We knew we had to throw it together quickly, but we also knew it wouldn’t work unless the song felt like Christmas” Batten explains, “Anyone can sing about Christmas, but the real magic is when you feel it in the song.”
So the band set out to capture all of the familiar sounds of the season in their home studio and label — Elkwood Recording Co.
“We tried it all” Batten says, “sleigh bells, low twangy guitars, piano, organ, a marching band snare, toys, hand claps — things that make this song feel Christmas-y, even without the lyrics.”
Batten (half) jokes, “At the end of the day, we just wanna know what Mariah thinks of it.”
