Mud’s ‘Lonely This Christmas’ remains a fixture on festive playlists decades after its release. But beyond its melancholic charm, the song sparks enduring curiosity, particularly regarding its uncanny resemblance to the King of Rock and Roll. Many listeners find themselves asking about the Elvis Presley Lonely This Christmas connection – was it a cover, a tribute, or something else entirely? This perennial glam rock Christmas classic holds a fascinating story tied directly to the sound and style of Elvis Presley.
Setting the Stage: The Battle for Christmas No. 1
The concept of a coveted “Christmas Number 1” single truly ignited in the UK charts during the early 1970s. The legendary 1973 showdown between Slade’s ‘Merry Xmas Everybody’ and Wizzard’s ‘I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday’ cemented the festive chart race as a major event. By 1974, other artists were eager to capture that seasonal magic. Among the frontrunners were fellow glam rock sensations, Mud, who delivered an unexpected, yet massively successful, Christmas hit.
Behind the Music: Mud and the Chinnichap Powerhouse
Mud, fronted by Les Gray alongside guitarist Rob Davis, drummer Dave Mount, bassist Ray Stiles, and keyboardist Andy Ball, had already achieved significant success. Much of this was driven by the prolific songwriting and production duo Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman, known as ‘ChinniChap’. This powerhouse partnership was the force behind numerous 1970s glam rock anthems for artists like The Sweet, Suzi Quatro, and, crucially, Mud. They penned Mud’s previous chart-topper, the stomping ‘Tiger Feet’, earlier in 1974.
Glam rock band Mud performing their hit Tiger Feet in 1973
A Blue Christmas Ballad: The Song’s Meaning
Departing from the usual upbeat festive themes, Chinnichap crafted ‘Lonely This Christmas’ as a poignant ballad. The lyrics paint a picture of heartbreak and isolation during the holiday season. The narrator, recently left by a partner, faces a bleak Christmas alone (“Try to imagine a Christmas all alone / That’s where I’ll be since you left me, my tears could melt the snow”). Familiar decorations only amplify the sadness (“I just break down as I look around and the only things I see / Are emptiness and loneliness and an unlit Christmas tree”), making it a standout track for its emotional counterpoint to typical Christmas cheer.
Official lyric video artwork for Mud’s Lonely This Christmas featuring a snowy scene
The King’s Clone? Why it Sounds Like Elvis
The most striking aspect of ‘Lonely This Christmas’ is how drastically it deviates from Mud’s usual glam rock sound, closely mimicking the style of late-era Elvis Presley ballads. This has led to persistent myths, including the idea that the song was originally intended for Elvis himself. Some younger listeners even mistakenly attribute the song to Presley upon hearing it.
Mud frontman Les Gray imitating Elvis Presley in the official video for Lonely This Christmas
The truth behind the Elvis Presley Lonely This Christmas sound is simpler: lead singer Les Gray was a huge admirer of the King. Recognizing Elvis’s association with Christmas music (like his hit ‘Blue Christmas’), Gray saw the song as a perfect opportunity to pay homage. He delivered a remarkably accurate vocal impersonation, capturing the deep, crooning style characteristic of Elvis’s 1970s ballads. This tribute extended beyond the vocals; Gray often donned Elvis-inspired attire for music videos and live performances of the track. In a fitting nod, Mud’s final Top of the Pops performance of the song aired on January 8, 1975 – Elvis Presley’s 40th birthday.
Elvis Presley performing Blue Christmas during his ’68 Comeback Special
Topping the Charts: A Festive Victory
Released in December 1974, with ‘I Can’t Stand It’ as the B-side, ‘Lonely This Christmas’ was perfectly positioned for a Christmas chart assault. It hit Number 1 in the UK Singles Chart on December 15 and held the top spot for four consecutive weeks. It successfully fended off strong competition from acts like The Wombles (‘Wombling Merry Christmas’), Bachman-Turner Overdrive (‘You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet’), The Rubettes (‘Juke Box Jive’), Barry White (‘You’re The First, The Last, My Everything’), Ralph McTell (‘Streets of London’), and even Elvis Presley himself, whose single ‘My Boy’ was also in the charts. The song achieved significant commercial success, eventually being certified Platinum in the UK for sales exceeding 600,000 units.
Mud performing Lonely This Christmas on Top Of The Pops, Christmas 1974
Covered but Never Copied: The Song’s Legacy
While not covered as extensively as some other Christmas standards, ‘Lonely This Christmas’ has been interpreted by a diverse range of artists over the years. Notable versions include those by Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine, Blue, Marillion, KT Tunstall, Tony Hadley, Olly Murs, and Collabro, each bringing their own style to the melancholic classic.
Generic snowy landscape artwork associated with a cover version of Lonely This Christmas
Conclusion
Mud’s ‘Lonely This Christmas’ stands as a unique entry in the Christmas music canon. Its success was driven not only by its poignant lyrics and memorable melody but also by its bold, deliberate emulation of Elvis Presley. Far from being a coincidence or a song intended for the King, the Elvis Presley Lonely This Christmas connection is a direct result of Les Gray’s affectionate tribute. This surprising stylistic shift paid off handsomely, securing Mud the coveted Christmas Number 1 spot in 1974 and cementing the song’s status as an enduring, if somewhat sorrowful, festive favourite.
