The winners of Jesse's Christmas song competition, Auckland alt-pop group BEACHWARE have released their song 'Take Away the Tree'. All proceeds from the sale of the song will go to Rainbow Youth to support queer, gender diverse and intersex youth.
You can pay what you want for 'Take Away The Tree' over at BEACHWARE's Bandcamp, with all proceeds going to Rainbow Youth.
Cover art for BEACHWARE's 'Take Away The Tree' Photo: Supplied
The message of 'Take Away The Tree' is that sometimes Christmas can be hard. Some of BEACHWARE's members know this from personal experience, and it can be especially hard for those with families that aren't as accepting as others. The band wrote the song to let people to know it's okay, and they can "make their own Christmas crew!"
The song features spoken word from Auckland rapper Tourettes aka Dominic Hoey.
'Take Away The Tree' lyrics:
I'm going home this week
I'll take a bus, or three
I'll wear long sleeves even though it's hot
and I'll drink all Dad's alcohol
I hate this time of year
But I'm quietly glad I'm here
And mum will see all my tattoos
And shake her head like I'm bad news.
But she still wants me around,
Still wants me around
It's Christmas time, we've got our health
We put our differences aside.
This table grows every year
More kids and partners here
The only thing, I bring with me
Is my bad credit history
My sisters mad again
Grandma's been cruel again
But she'll be dead this time next year
So we pretend we didn't hear.
And they still want me around,
Still want me around
It's Christmas time, we've got our health
We put our differences aside.
Merry Christmas everyone!
I couldn't find any wrapping paper
But I got you a copy of my new poetry book!
What's that? Well you've got two copies now!
No, don't touch the bloody dog, it's got a rash.
Yeah, disgusting animal
Anyway, this is my friend Sam,
His family's disowned him cause he's got emotional problems
So he's spending Christmas with us!
He's all good, just keep him away from the alcohol
Speaking of which! Where's the Christmas tequila?
Look out! The dogs got into the trifle!
It's been a real hard year.
Will they still want me around?
Still want me around
It's Christmas time, we've got our health
We put our differences aside.
It's been a real hard year.
Credits:
Written and performed by BEACHWARE and Dominic Hoey
Engineered and mixed by Ben Edwards
Mastered by Chris Chetland
Artwork by Felix Pryor
Video by RNZ's Claire Eastham-Farrelly and Luke McPake
Vocals: James McDonald, Julia Morris, Dominic Hoey, Alexandra Selkirk-Hanna
Lyrics: James McDonald, Dominic Hoey
Drums: Scotty Pearson
Guitars: RJ Hartnell, Julia Morris
Bass: Josh Nicholas
Keys: Alexandra Selkirk-Hanna