I Wanna Be Santa Claus

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I Wanna Be Santa Claus
Studio album by Ringo Starr
Released	18 October 1999
Recorded	May - July 1999
Genre	Rock
Length	44:59
Label	Mercury
Producer(s)	Mark Hudson and Ringo Starr
Professional reviews
All Music Guide link
Ringo Starr chronology
VH1 Storytellers (1998)	I Wanna Be Santa Claus (1999)	The Anthology... So Far (2001)

I Wanna Be Santa Claus is a Christmas album by Ringo Starr, issued in 1999. Not only is it Starr's first long-play holiday release, it is the first by an ex-Beatle, although John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison had each released a seasonal single in the 1970s.

Recorded throughout 1999 with Starr's musical partner Mark Hudson and many of his collaborators on 1998's Vertical Man, I Wanna Be Santa Claus - which is comprised of well-known traditional songs and some 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 former Eagles member Timothy B. Schmit.

Released in October ahead of the Christmas season, I Wanna Be Santa Claus was not a commercial success, despite its strong reviews. It was deleted shortly thereafter and re-released in 2003 as a discounted collection entitled 20th Century Masters: The Best Of Ringo Starr/The Christmas Collection with the exact same tracklisting. After three albums in a row that failed to reach consumers in a significant way, Mercury Records dropped Starr from their roster.

[edit] Track listing

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

v • d • e Ringo Starr
Studio Albums
Sentimental Journey | Beaucoups of Blues | Ringo | Goodnight Vienna | Ringo's Rotogravure | Ringo the 4th | Bad Boy | Stop and Smell the Roses | Old Wave | Time Takes Time | Vertical Man | Ringo Rama | Choose Love
Live Albums
Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band | Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band Volume 2: Live from Montreux | Ringo Starr and His third All-Starr Band-Volume 1 | VH1 Storytellers King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents Ringo & His New All-Starr Band | Extended Versions | Tour 2003 | Ringo Starr and Friends
Compilations
Blast from Your Past | Starr Struck: Best of Ringo Starr, Vol. 2 | The Anthology... So Far
Christmas Albums
I Wanna Be Santa Claus
Related Articles
The Beatles