Behind The Christmas Hits with Drew Savage

Before The Nightmare Before Christmas had a screenplay, it had songs. Danny Elfman wasn't hired to decorate the movie with music. He and Tim Burton used the music to figure out what the movie was. And by the way, is it a Christmas movie... or a Halloween movie? This is the story behind the hit soundtrack to The Nightmare Before Christmas.  Behind the Christmas hits with Drew Savage has returned for season 7 with all new episodes. Be sure to listen on iHeart, Stream on Crave in Canada, or wherever you get your podcasts!

What do you get when you take 18 musicians, a ukulele gifted by a Beatle, 'A Christmas Gift For You' from Phil Spector, Home Alone 2, and a Chuck Berry sound book? Well, that sounds like the recipe behind the Christmas hit Christmas All Over Again by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Behind the Christmas hits with Drew Savage has returned for season 7 with all new episodes. Be sure to listen on iHeart, Stream on Crave in Canada, or wherever you get your podcasts!

This week on Behind The Christmas Hits - Drew gives you a peek behind the curtain about what goes into making this podcast - and the story behind the Bryan Adams hit - Christmas Time! Bryan Joins to give the real story of the massively popular song - and Rob Thomas recalls how important the song is to him!  

Pat Monahan from Train joins Behind the Christmas Hits with Drew Savage for exciting chat about the new version of ‘Christmas in Tahoe' album and all the new songs that have been added to it. Pat Monahan tells Drew the possible recipe for writing a Christmas hit. Pat chats about some of his favourite things to do during Christmas time. He shares more about the iconic album ‘Christmas in Tahoe' getting turned into a hallmark movie and how most of it was filmed in Canada.  Pat uncovers his Mount Rushmore of Christmas music including some iconic hits from Donne Hathaway and Bing Crosby. Pat finally leaves us with what his plans are for end of year and hat’s next including ‘Train’ joining Barenaked Ladies and Matt Nathanson on tour in 2026. #elfmovie #ChristmasinTahoe #ChristmasinTahoemovie #trainband #MattNathanson #BarenakedLadies

Taylor Momsen joins Drew Savage for a special edition of behind the Christmas Hits to talk about her new EP Taylor Momsen's Pretty Reckless Christmas - including her all-new recording of Where Are You Christmas - Which features a duet with her 6 year old self! Taylor Momsen talks about 25 years of the 2000 Classic live action Grinch movie, and how many fond memories she has on set from those days as a child. Taylor Momsen talks about the tongue in cheek themes of 'Pretty Reckless Christmas' and reuniting with Jim Carrey at the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame!

This week on Behind The Christmas Hits, Drew Savage is joined by Kevin Olusoa of Pentatonix to talk about their new holiday album Christmas in the City, working with Canadian Producer Dave Pierce - and how they managed to cover Frank Sinatra! Kevin Olusoa of Pentatonix tells Drew what songs Pentatonix has tried to cover with little success - and the different ways they approach different genres. Kevin Olusoa tells drew about how the plot of Netflix' Meet Me Next Christmas being centred around a Pentatonix concert. Pentatonix' Kevin Olusoa tells drew about how special it is to perform at Christmas time, and what Christmas is like in his family!

Some of the most popular animated characters of the last 60 years actually debuted in a Christmas song! This is the story of The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)

The unauthorized use of one of the most famous characters in pop culture led to a future #1 Christmas Hit. This is the story behind Snoopy's Christmas by the Royal Guardsmen.

After getting kicked out of the studio during the sessions for one of the most revered Christmas albums ever, Brian Wilson would create a Christmas classic of his own. This is the story behind the Christmas hit 'Little Saint Nick' by The Beach Boys.

Pack Your Bags - We're going to the South Pacific to explore the sunniest Christmas Standard ever. This is the story of Mele Kalikimaka.