First listen to Greg Lake - I Believe in Father Christmas (REACTION)

[@temporarystranger95]

“What a happy Christmas song!” Daniel opines tongue-in-cheek! Just love, love, love your reactions, and this one was great! Thanks, Daniel.

[@davidwestendorf7935]

RIP Greg Lake. Crushed me when he died. What a talent. Bass, leads, lead vocals. Choir boy voice. What a huge loss.

[@moakesusa]

I was named after Greg Lake. My mum was pregnant with me during Christmas of 1980 and this song sealed it. Love being linked to Greg Lake in a small, weird way.

[@4Mr.Crowley2]

The Prokofiev section (the entire orchestral part) is taken from Lieutenant Kije, by the great Soviet composer Sergei Prokofiev, and it is *effen* gorgeous and adds a lot of depth to Lake’s already stunning, lyrical song that looks for joy while acknowledging the inevitable sadness and lost dreams that accompany aging and losing some of that Christmas “magic.”

[@scottkeppler7442]

It's about how christmas has turned into all about money. RIP Greg I get depressed every year used to love christmas, makes me love christmas again when I hear this.

[@Peter-oh3hc]

So glad you did the second video. My favorite version. Also, the instrumental part is taken from Prokofiev's Lieutenant Kije. You should listen to an orchestra play it

[@Young_Jim]

Thanks for doing this reaction for my favourite Christmas song. Brings back so many memories of Christmases past. RIP Greg.

[@midnightfury7267]

A Christmas classic. With Greg Lake, In Greg's later years he was battling a deadly disease and the meds and procedures took a toll on his voice making it sound a bit different. Still I would have loved to have been in that church just for this.💖🎅🏻🤶🏻

[@georgewodicka4839]

Deep themes, yes, I can't believe how quickly you picked up on that. Greg, RIP, a voice for the ages.

[@joanbounacos8958]

We never said this was a happy Christmas song. 😁 "Father Christmas" is a darker vibe, but I think there is merit in considering what you deserve in the holiday. And Ian's flute brings the joy. On the winter solstice, December 21, you should play "Ring Out Solstice Bells" from Jethro Tull. Follow it with their "Fires at Midnight." Another great song is Amy Grant's "I Need a Silent Night." Nice job.

[@luckyrecords2565]

In fact Is a protest song

[@sross54]

I love this song- full of hope.

[@johnduval633]

More Emerson, Lake and Palmer man. The Greatest live band in rock n roll. ☮️

[@foxandscout]

I’m a big EL&P fan. I realize I haven’t heard them in a long time. Practically since Greg died (Dec 7, 2016). I also loved that first King Crimson music. Adrien Belew is one of my favorite guitarists. Greg said that he wrote this song in protest the commercialization of Christmas. I never saw the duet video With Ian Anderson: thanks, it was great!

[@midnightfury7267]

Yes they were spectacular live. I saw them at the old Salt Palace back in the 70's when they were promoting they're "Works vol.1" tour. it was just incredible. Journey was the opener pre-Steve Perry.

[@johnduval633]

@@midnightfury7267 that's a damn good back up band. ☮️

[@RickTBL]

Emerson, Lake and Palmer on the Brain Salad Surgery tour were an astounding, mind blowing affair. Real quadraphonic sound. They had the same mountains of speakers on each side of the stage, that any stereo band would have, but they also had two more mountains of speakers that were just as big at the far end of the auditorium. There was lots of panning, sending screaming synthesizers flying from front to back, left and right and all around, giving people whiplash. It was loud and spectacular. The light show was big and elaborate and there was a huge round projection screen for showing all sorts of deeply strange art, including HR Giger's cover for Brain Salad Surgery. That night changed my life more than anything, I became a keyboard player.

[@annesmith2259]

My absolute favourite Christmas song ever. Takes me back to a happy time in my childhood

[@maryellenazack4466]

THE NUTCRACKER next please

[@sarahjane8146]

The line that for me is a gut punch, when I first heard it in 1975 and nearly every Christmas season since, is “They said there’d be peace on earth”...

[@mk1317]

Loved your reaction to this. It piereced my soul back in the late 70s and has never let go. To me this is a Christmas song, the innocences in the first verse, the darkness of the second verse, then the hopefullness of the last verse. just a brilliant song by a brillant song writer. Peace!

[@TheHaplorhine]

Thank you so much for reacting to this 'Christmas' song, as always your analysis is as thoughtful as I have come to expect from you. I send my very best Christmas wishes to you and yours. Peace

[@johnallen869]

Loved it! How many in that church knew that Ian was front man for Jethro Tull and Greg was with King Crimson?

[@edalisauskas7313]

Greg said that this song was a protest against the commercialization of Christmas

[@Parmigiano502]

What makes for the song for me, musically, is the use of the classical piece by Sergei Prokofievs 'Troika' (which is a Russain sleigh drawn by horses if memory serves)...thats the bit Ian Anderson was playing...I did suggest it as part of your Christmas series, and whilst I doubted you would select it and do a reaction to it, I would in your own time have a listen to it, it's such a joyous piece and does conjure up imagary of riding through the snow and all that jazz and certainly evokes a sense of a truer Christmas spirit, and I'd like to think Lake chose it as an antedote to the cynicism he infers in the commerciality of a modern Christmas...in musical tones at least. I think you'll get a lot out of it.

[@RickTBL]

Thank you, one of my favorite songs, by my favorite singer, and you got the right version.

[@sheryld1957]

I like that you combined both performances on one video. It was an interesting first video. I was very leery of the ending on the first version. Glad to see the Dad and little boy reunited.

[@christinerobinson548]

One of the most beautiful voices in rock, along with Justin Hayward and Jim Morrison.

[@Lwize]

Greg was youngish - the song was released in 1975.

[@Lightmane]

Never saw this video before, but yeah, this is almost like an anti-Christmas song, but then it's a Christmas song. Greg Lake was quite the genius. He was also the vocalist and bass player on King Crimson's first album and Peter Sinfield wrote the lyrics for all the songs on that album and is listed in the personal for lyrics and illumination, so if you want to examine some haunting and amazing lyrics, that's the album you're looking for.

[@Yosef1952]

Always liked this song's ability to pierce my Scrooge-like shell. Intense video. Also...Happy Birthday to Ludwig van Beethoven today! (A mere 250 years young.)

[@DJ-ov9hu]

Ian and Greg--two of the greatest British music icons...RIP, Greg Lake :(

[@stevemd6488]

The keyboard part, the part Ian Anderson plays, is from Prokofiev. The version you watched is the overproduced one, the original from "Works" is the best IMHO. I know it's a little "loss of faith" but the final words "the Christmas we get we deserve". Great stuff.

[@devonvergiels5185]

Confused here. Never knew Anderson to play on an Emerson Lake & Palmer song. Only Keith Emerson. Please clarify.

[@RosemaryStanley2070]

This was not long after the Viet Nam war was over and had left everyone in quite a state of disrepair! Yes, he was very young at the time this was made, 1975! He was 27 years old with a baby face! One of The best rock singers! R.I.P.

[@jennifermorris6848]

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa. When YOU become Santa to someone in secret and expect nothing in return. The spirit of St Nicholas is acting through the Love 🕊

[@maxwellshammer5283]

Amen to that!

[@lakecrazy]

I remember listening from another room my daughter and her friends talking about Santa, one child said there was no Santa, an older kid said, oh yes there is. When daughter asked about it later, I told her same thing my parents said, he comes to those that believe. My parents are in their 90’s, when asked, every one in the family still says they believe.

[@andyschnell58]

My first big concert was ELP, summer of 1976, at Madison Square Garden, with a full orchestra as they began their tour for their Works album. I still rank that concert as the best one I ever attended. This Greg Lake tune is a true Christmas classic and Greg had one of the all time great voices. Sometime in the future I will entice Daniel to react to the live performance of Pictures at an Exhibition.

[@bobcorbin3294]

Saw that tour in Nashville right before the orchestra had to be let go for financial reasons. Talked to some of the members of the orchestra after the concert, they were bummed but they understood. They were college students just like me at the time.

[@Isleofskye]

As always, I love your reaction. A friend of mine went into a Music evening at his local Pub in Edenbridge,Kent a few years back in Southern England and there was Greg Lake enjoying the music at the bar :)

[@stevenfrederici8009]

Hey Daniel - My second listen to you - interesting to get your perspective on music from a youngster. Like the fact your doing Christmas now, Lakes -"Father Christmas" doesn't seem to get much airplay these days. Glad you brought it out again. Also Like that your going to hit prog with King crimson and hopefully other similar acts - should be an interesting counter to Alex&Andy. Kudos Bro.

[@ben_dornie]

Thanks for reacting to this, I think it's easily the best Christmas song of the "modern" era, as it has an epic/proggy quality about it which gives it real presence. The lyrics call it like it is too, ultimately humanity does and will get what it deserves - never has that been more apt. RIP Greg Lake.

[@italoblu]

Fairytale of New York

[@bjs301]

Father Christmas, by the Kinks, is kind of along the same lines as this one. Being by the Kinks, though, it rocks hard. It really carries an angry, but hopeful, message.

[@brucebrown73]

EL&P in general were amazing! If you want one of their classic epics consider Pictures at an Exhibition start to finish. It’s not a number of songs, it’s really a continuous album.you will be sure you have experienced greatness

[@joelliebler5690]

Lake’s song is real and trying to wake people up to take action against war! It is for us to show love, respect, peace to everyone!👍🏻❤️☮️🎼🎤

[@daveking9393]

Thanks. Did not know of the performance with Ian. That was great.

[@brianmusson1827]

This a a cynical and perhaps true reflection of Christmas . This is a beautiful song and one of the best Christmas songs ever . Greg Lake looks young because this song came out in 1975!

[@mwoods1052]

I really appreciate you critiquing this song. So many people think this epic song is a lovely ode to Christmas and it is not. We’re sold a bill of goods that time every year.. buy presents! Look for Santa! Eat turkey or ham dinners! Eat Mom’s cookies. Then wars continue anyway (Vietnam bombs dropping.) RIP Greg. You were and continue to be an important artist.

[@lesleyfarrington4809]

This is the sound of Christmas

[@nancymjohnson]

The church version is heavenly. Goosebumps and tears here every time. I ❤️ it. TY Daniel!

[@LordJuzzie]

I love this song, it feels so less cloying and sickly sweet than other christmas songs and acknowledges lots of people have a very bad time even at christmas.

[@georgewodicka4839]

Memorial Day, 5/30/21, re-watching this and liking heartfelt comments seemingly long abandoned. And shedding yet another tear watching your reaction to the Church version. The three pillars of my enjoyment of your channel- Jon Anderson, Greg Lake, and of course Ian Anderson. Forever intertwined.

[@chitown1098]

Amazing song. Everything is not always so rosey for everyone around Christmas.

[@johnreynolds6065]

This song always makes me cry. Its so beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

[@bobangell1679]

Yeah, us old farts were young once, too! This is from the early 70s.

[@Katehowe3010]

Mid '70's!

[@bobangell1679]

@@Katehowe3010 the video says copyright 1972. I would call that early 70s, but whatever.

[@Katehowe3010]

@@bobangell1679 I don't want to be pedantic my friend, but it was recorded in '74 and released in '75!

[@RickTBL]

Filmed on location in Egypt and Israel. Greg and crew risked life and limb to climb rickety ladders to film in the actual caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. And take a close look at Greg's "heart" guitar, with its elaborate pearl inlay and heart shaped sound hole. It's a work of art.

[@Stiffspeed]

My all time favorite Christmas song and probably always will be.

[@Katehowe3010]

Come on Steve, drop the probably! 👏

[@Stiffspeed]

You're right. It's a definitely!

[@grahamkey8496]

This song is a Christmas song, in a similar way that Die Hard is a Christmas movie. Love them both!

[@taketwo_duo]

Original video and song 10 / 10. The song is just brilliant and brilliantly produced and arrange, I certainly could not come up with anything to improve it, or even match it. The video is also brilliant from the vision of the desert (what a surprise when everyone saw this when it came out) which is where Jesus was supposedly born instead of the usual snow scenes and then to the war and father and son reuniting just brings tears to your eyes. Well done Greg Lake (RIP) and all involved in producing this masterpiece, thank you.

[@davidmckenzie420]

My favorite version, as we also get Keith's keyboards. The Lake-Anderson version is nice of course too.

[@mikehand5881]

love ur positive energy

[@stpnwlf9]

I so love the 12-string in the original. It provides a very bell-like tone which fits a Christmas tune so well. Yes, it is a rather cynical view of the over-commercialization and the hypocrisy of the whole 'peace on earth' theme. Yet, hope remains at the end. A very interesting approach to the holiday theme.

[@MLewisDesign]

Yes indeed, I agree with you the second, live performance is the best… I’m pretty sure this was at St Brides church in London and was the very first of Ian Anderson’s Christmas concerts, and here with Greg Lake guesting, which are now almost legendary throughout the cathedrals of England. Ian Anderson plays these concerts donating the full proceeds to the upkeep of each cathedral he plays in. What a joy to hear here the late Greg Lake with the St Brides choir and the wonderful Ian Anderson! ❤️❤️❤️

[@RoamHockey]

yes this song was a shot at the commercialism of Christmas..but ELP are so damn awesome that it still became a Christmas classic regardless lol :) put these guys in the RRHOF already grrr

[@melissakhalar1842]

Love both renditions here and I love ELP another great Progressive Rock Band. RIP Mr. Lake. ❤ RIP Mr. Emerson. ❤

[@Derry_Aire]

For another deeper meaning Christmas video you should do "Do They Know It's Christmas?" by Band Aid and maybe look into the back-story.

[@PTBartman]

This, especially because you're eventually going to do Live Aid.

[@scifimonkey3]

Brilliant video, thank you for finding the second clip, love this song and seeing the live performance made my day

[@gemini2012100]

Yes, that's him. He was younger when he recorded this.

[@garyarnett1220]

Thank you for making my Birthday magical. I Love this song. I've always felt that a lot of it is about how Christmas makes us feel, and treat each other than an actual historical event. He pooh pooh's the event then goes on to wish us all the gladdest tidings and hearts full of cheer.

[@Stinger_tbx]

Very cool never saw the second performance thanks for playing it !

[@chrisy8989]

Glad you enjoyed it, Daniel!

[@HollowGolem]

Peter Sinfield was also the lyricist for many of King Crimson's early albums. Greg Lake was King Crimson's original lead singer/rhythm guitarist before joining Emerson, Lake, and Palmer. You can't really react to King Crimson. They're notorious blockers. But you should definitely listen to them. They're a spectacular group whose gone to some very interesting places.

[@sarahfish132]

Yes that was him. This is one of the original videos of the song. There is another video of him performing the song along with Ian Anderson in a church in England done a few years ago. Unfortunately, Greg Lake passed away from cancer in December 2016.

[@waynecox3958]

Paul McCartney--WONDERFUL CHRISTMASTIME.

[@michaelmcneely9169]

No, no , no! I'm sure some countries use this song for torture! And to think Paul was a Beatle once

[@steveg297]

Great reaction, thanks for doing both together. The latter was EPIC with Greg Lake and Ian Anderson! Something you don't see everyday.

[@johnduval633]

Excellent choice! ☮️

[@minnidrake3342]

Love this song it always makes stop and appreciate the family blessings I have and a moment of sadness for people especially kids struggling. From the first time till now thanks for tjecreaction

[@chrisabel1833]

I *knew* I'd heard this song before. Oh, on an Emerson, Lake and Palmer album!

[@lancepickett5653]

Not the opposite of a Christmas song in my mind, but it is about the duality of Christmas the hope is there, but the reality of the world at the same time, Look to the hope and carry it thru in the attempt of making the hope reality.

[@andrewmerriman7133]

An excellent review of my all time favourite song released in 1975, this started life in 1974 as a protest song against the Vietnam war, hence the end part of the video. Gregg Lake later came up with the tune and so it became a Christmas commercialisation protest song. Greg was 27 when he did the video for the original single. There were later versions of the record in 1978 with Keith Emerson and Carl Parmer, in 1993 a reworked version was done by Greg Lake and another version came out in 2002. I have yet to find a better version than your first one from 1975 but I can see why you liked the version in the church.

[@markfenney4216]

Would have reached number1 in the UK charts if it hadn't been for a certain Queen song!

[@sbrubaker]

My favorite Christmas song! It was Greg's statement about the commercialization of the Christmas holiday.

[@shawntomlinson8818]

The best thing I've ever read about the commercialization of Christmas is a poem from Beat Generation poet and publisher, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, titled "Christ Climbed Down." It is part of his collection titled 'A Coney Island of the Mind.' It was a 1958 release, but still relevant now.

[@sharonm6262]

Like your friend when you were young, I too am completely convinced Santa is real. My husband and I would go to bed ridiculously late, exhausted, with much left undone, on far too many Christmas Eves, only to have everything magically completed the next morning, for me not to believe in Santa!

[@fridaylong2812]

"We get what we deserve." Makes perfect sense.

[@ThatGirl-ku5dq]

Such a beautiful song. He was so talented. As was the rest of the band.

[@beatledad]

Thanks Daniel for the great live version. Jethro Tull has many Christmas tunes. But won you could have some fun with Bob Dylan. Must Be Santa. Fun tune and video

[@garyarnett1220]

Greg unfortunately left us this month a couple of years ago. Missed

[@DF-ee8vt]

It's an interesting concept, but I'm glad for my experience as a kid, believing in the Christmas magic. The memories are gold.

[@SF_Bud]

Nice - hadn't seen the video with Ian before. That was really good. The version I'm used to is the ELP version off their album "Works 2". It's very similar to Greg Lake's solo version, but is actually a little more sparse, with a little more synth, but no strings. Pete Sinfield wrote the words for Lake and it was supposed to be against the commercialization of Christmas, not Christmas itself. Would still love you to take a listen to "O Holy Night" by Jon Anderson of Yes. It's amazing! I can't listen to it without choking up. Peace from SF

[@panamared6267]

The Instrumental breaks are basically Tchaikovsky's "Troika", check it out and Please don't forget "Who'll make the Gravy" by Paul Kelly. Cheers. P.S A happy happy and a merry merry to all

[@cutthr0atjake]

"The Christmas we get we deserve".

[@dennisporter-avis7576]

Cuts like a knife doesnt it

[@thrillhausen8858]

I wish you a hopeful Christmas I wish you a brave new year All anguish, pain and sadness Leave your heart and let your road be clear

[@liffick]

Please check out Chris Rea's "Driving Home for Christmas" if you have some time. I only heard it a few years ago, but it has become a staple of essential holiday listening.

[@lorilxn1597]

Theres so much great Christmas music out there

[@STScott-qo4pw]

so... you listened to this song by greg lake... and i saw the smile appear and then grow. couldn't help it, could you? "haunting" - yes... take care.

[@theblackcat5416]

If you want cynical, just wait until you do the Kinks ! Anyway, your mention of Charlie Brown sent me over to The Vince Guaraldi Trio's soundtrack to "A Charlie Brown Christmas." Nothing wrong with wanting to feel like a kid sometimes! ✌❤🌻😷🎶

[@lancerx1759]

The Christmas Truce of WW1 I suspect had some impact on the writings of this beautiful song by Legend Greg Lake

[@johnriley4320]

Emerson Lake & Palmer released a re-mixed version on the “Works” collection that I like better. It’s much simpler, without the strings and all.

[@michaelhoward9246]

That song is as relevant today as it was when he first sang it even now

[@IllumeEltanin]

Yay!

[@DSilsbury]

I'm from the same town as Greg, we're deeply sceptical of religion in most of Dorset. "They sold me the fairy tale" sums it up. The irony that you questioned why it was in the desert though...

[@OronOfMontreal]

Live and older, you can hear that Lake's lung capacity diminished over the years. Still, his voice was one of the smoothest, most resonant and harmonically richest voices ever in Rock n Roll. Similar in fullness to David Gilmour and Gerry Rafferty.

[@chuckhutton5087]

Yes, absolutely. As distinctive a vocalist as ever in rock. Similar in beauty, tone, and soulfulness as Gilmour, Justin Hayward, and Paul Rodgers.

[@Andy-Capp]

You should react to Still you turn me on from Emerson Lake and Palmers album Brain Salad Surgery then react to the acoustic version by Greg Lake. The guitar work is immense. Great song.

[@davidmaholchic6146]

Glad you started with the studio versions there are many versions of this song. Check out Emerson Lake and Palmer works a wonderful remastered version on that best of album. A wonderful Christmas song my favorite cannot wait for your reactions and insights and joy love you

[@tracymitchell7494]

The other guitarist is Florian. He's the guitarist that replaced Martin in Tull

[@joelliebler5690]

I agree the live version is incredible!👍🏻❤️☮️✌🏻🎼🎤

[@JJ8KK]

Did you know that Chris Squire did a Christmas song? It's entitled *Run With The Fox* and it's really good. You'll enjoy it. BTW, Greg Lake was an outspoken atheist, just so you know. So while this song is indeed one of my favorite Christmas songs of all time _in terms of it's absolute beauty,_ believe me, it is not a song that celebrates the Christian basis of Christmas, but is rather a dour review of the sadness that is actually a big part of the Christmas' that many, many people experience. Oh, and by the way, I believe the scenes of bombing at the end were from the Vietnam War, which I'm pretty sure was still raging at the time. In fact, I believe this was around the time when the "Christmas Bombing" of Hanoi was carried out by America's B-52's. That event may, in fact, have inspired Lake in part to write this song...

[@lorilxn1597]

Paul McCartney, Wonderful Christmastime and John Lennons Happy Xmas love them both

[@kayew5492]

This song, and Chris De Burgh's A Spaceman Came Travelling bolstered my departure from the church in my teens.