The release of the Follow That Dream (FTD) collector’s edition of Elvis Sings The Wonderful World Of Christmas offered fans an unprecedented look into the recording sessions for Elvis Presley’s 1971 holiday album. Among the treasures were numerous outtakes of “I’ll Be Home On Christmas Day,” a poignant song penned by Michael Jarrett. Recently, Jarrett received a copy of this FTD release, sparking curiosity about his reaction to hearing Elvis meticulously work through his composition nearly four decades later. For fans searching for insights into “I Ll Be Home For Christmas Elvis” recordings, Jarrett’s perspective provides a unique and valuable window.
Songwriter Michael Jarrett Shares Insights on Elvis’s Rendition
Following initial reports of Jarrett’s gratitude for receiving the FTD album, Elvis Today reached out directly to the songwriter for a deeper dive into his thoughts on these historic recordings. Jarrett graciously shared his reflections on hearing Elvis shape “I’ll Be Home On Christmas Day,” his approach to the song, and the significance of these unearthed tapes.
Reaction to Hearing the Outtakes
Hearing the raw session tapes, complete with studio chatter and multiple attempts at his song, was a profound experience for Jarrett. “I think for any songwriter that has the good fortune to have Elvis record their songs and; to be able some 40 years later to hear outtakes from the sessions is truly amazing,” he shared. “Hearing the process -the carving out- of my song is the fun part for me especially; after all, it’s Elvis!”
Elvis’s Unique Approach to the Song
Jarrett felt Elvis brought a deeply personal connection to “I’ll Be Home On Christmas Day.” He observed, “I believe he approached my song in his own special way, that is to say; he related to what the lyrics were saying and the overall sentiment the song conveyed to him during this time of his life.” This connection, Jarrett believes, is why Elvis chose to record it: “I believe he chose the song to record because it had personal meaning to him.”
The Mystery of the Missing Verse
One fascinating moment captured on the outtakes is Elvis seemingly editing the lyrics on the fly, muttering before a take. The FTD release also includes take 9 (Alternate), where Elvis sings a verse about Jarrett’s children – a verse absent from the master recording. How did the songwriter feel about this omission?
“I had to laugh when Elvis said there were 8 verses, he was only joking of course. Actually, there were only 4,” Jarrett clarified. Discovering the recorded verse about his children was a surprise. “I didn’t know that he’d recorded this verse all these years until I heard the Alt. #9 version a couple of years ago.”
Album cover for Elvis Sings The Wonderful World Of Christmas FTD release featuring outtakes of I’ll Be Home On Christmas Day
Ultimately, Jarrett agrees with the decision to cut the verse. “First being that; the song plays much better with just three verses with changing keys on the last verse to give the song lift and the build up to the ending… it just feels better to the listener I think.” He added, “Secondly, Little John, Michele, Christine and Kelly weren’t his children and leaving that verse out made the song more [his] song on a personal level.”
Comparing the Two Versions: Original vs. Remake
Elvis initially recorded the song in May 1971, but returned to it a month later for a remake with a heavier beat. Jarrett appreciates both takes. “I truly love both versions for different reasons,” he stated. The song’s origin story sheds light on the stylistic differences. “On that Christmas eve in 1969 when I wrote the song, I wrote it on guitar; which was more like Elvis’ first version he recorded.”
However, the demo version, which likely influenced the remake, came about unexpectedly at Gold Star recording studio in L.A. While primarily there to demo “I’m Leavin’,” Jarrett decided to try “I’ll Be Home On Christmas Day” on piano. “Strangely enough, I’d never played it on the keyboard before that day… and played it through one time in a slow bluesy shuffle.” Unbeknownst to him, the engineer recorded this run-through. “After listening to the play back we felt it was a good take ‘straight from the heart’. So off it went, along with “I’m Leavin” to Joe Esposito and on to Elvis.” Jarrett guesses, “I think they liked the original bluesy shuffle… since they went back a month later and rerecorded it in that style.” Despite loving both, he slightly prefers the first version: “it’s more ‘up close and personal’.”
The Value of Releasing Session Outtakes
For Jarrett, the release of these outtakes is invaluable. “This is an easy question and very simple to answer. For this songwriter, It’s exciting beyond words to hear the King himself talking about and working up a song I’d written so long ago that is now part of Elvis’ history.” He sees it as a gift, allowing fans to “eavesdrop into your world in the making of this wonderful Album of Christmas songs.”
Conclusion
Michael Jarrett’s insights offer a rare glimpse into the collaborative magic of Elvis’s recording sessions. Hearing his perspective on the outtakes of “I’ll Be Home On Christmas Day” from the Elvis Sings The Wonderful World Of Christmas FTD release deepens appreciation for both the song and Elvis’s interpretive genius. Jarrett’s reflections confirm the personal connection Elvis felt to the lyrics and highlight the creative decisions made in the studio. These archival releases not only preserve music history but also allow songwriters like Jarrett, and fans worldwide, to experience the King’s artistry anew.
