Ep. 289: A discussion on Elton John’s “Step Into Christmas”

Chris DeMakes A Podcast

Chris DeMakes

Music Interviews, Music, Music Commentary, Music History

4.9 • 923 Ratings

🗓️ 22 December 2025

⏱️ 57 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In the final episode of their four-part December series, Chris DeMakes and Chris Fafalios wrap things up with Elton John’s festive classic “Step Into Christmas.” They talk about the song’s spontaneous feel, the lighthearted lyrics, and the unmistakable style shaped by Elton’s longtime collaborators Gus Dudgeon and Bernie Taupin. The conversation touches on the Phil Spector-inspired wall of sound production, the standout bass line, and that gloriously chaotic outro that perfectly captures the energy of early ’70s rock. From its iconic music video to its unexpected return to the charts decades later, this episode celebrates how “Step Into Christmas” became one of the all-time holiday favorites. Chris DeMakes A Podcast is brought to you by DistroKid, the ultimate partner for taking your music to the next level. Get 30% off your first YEAR with DistroKid by signing up at ⁠http://distrokid.com/vip/demakes For bonus episode of The After Party podcast, an extensive back catalog of past After Party episodes, early ad-free releases of new episodes of Chris DeMakes A Podcast, full video versions of episodes, and MUCH more, head to the Patreon at ⁠http://www.ChrisDeMakes.com Follow Chris DeMakes A Podcast on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/chrisdemakesapodcast/⁠ Join the Chris DeMakes A Podcast community on Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/2643961642526928/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	This episode is brought to you by Distro Kit. This festive season of McDonald's Get Grinched deals every day. Okay, okay. With a sausage sandwich for just... Let's see, 9-9-N-P? Six chiggin' mcnuggets for just... 9-N-p. Ha! Fine. Get Grinch deals every day in the McDonald's app. 18 plus app only. Ends 24th of December. One use per offer. Fees apply to delivery.
0:21.4	Participation varies.
0:22.2	Teas and Cs apply. 18 plus app only ends 24th of December, one use per offer, fees apply to delivery,
0:21.4	participation varies, tis and Cs apply.
0:28.3	Hey gang, today is our fourth and final Christmas holiday themed episode.
0:33.0	Join Chris Fafalius and I as we discussed the writing, recording, and lyrical interpretation
0:37.9	of the Elton John, Bernie Toppin, 1973 single, Step Into Christmas.
0:43.8	This sounds like an Elton John rock song from the early 70s, so much so that if you
0:49.1	didn't zone in on the lyrics, you probably wouldn't even think that it's a Christmas song.
0:53.9	The band went for that
0:55.0	big Phil Spector wall of sound here and they kind of nailed it. There's so much going on and
1:00.5	it all feels chaotic at times, almost like they wrote the song that morning and recorded it in
1:05.8	the afternoon. It sounds like a band urgently trying to put something on tape. It's fun, it's fast, and super catchy.
1:14.0	Yeah, the lyrics are a bit pedestrian, especially by Bernie Topin standards.
1:18.4	But it's a Christmas song.
1:19.9	No real reason to be high-browed.
1:22.1	So come on and step into Christmas with us.
1:26.2	Hey, hey, have you heard Christa makes a podcast?
1:31.4	Hey, hey, have you heard?
1:34.1	Christa makes a podcast.
1:36.7	Hey, hey, have you heard?
1:39.3	Christa makes a podcast.
	...

Transcript will be available on the free plan in 4 days. Upgrade to see the full transcript now.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Chris DeMakes, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Chris DeMakes and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.