"Christmas Ain't What It Used To Be" genre: General Blues
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	An honest, humorous, up tempo song about something all adults know to be true. It ain't what it used to be, and that ain't all bad.
	MP3.com CD: Burn Down The Bridge - buy it! CD: Burn Down The Bridge   Label: MP3 Credits: Lyrics and music composed by Bill McClarty, who also did the vocals. 5 string bass played by Billy Herb Bob, Sweet William on guitar, Wild Willy on drums and Herby Bob on keyboards. Recordings were done at Billy Joy's Digital Studios in Olympia Washington, who also did the engineering and mixing.
	Story Behind the Song Of course Christmas is different for an adult as opposed to a child. But, generally, the nature/flavor of Christmas has been steadily changing beyond what can be explained as the difference between adult and child perceptions. In my own case, until recently, Christmas was a time of family gathering. The focal point for that gathering was my mother, who passed away last year. This past year, my Christmas Eve was spent at a Blues Jam session in a bar. I had a great time. Playing music always pumps me up, so when I came home for the jam session, this song emerged, lyrics and music just falling together, and a marathon recording session. I never count takes, it might depress me if I tracked it. Lyrics Christmas Ain’t What It Used To Be © 2002 by Bill McClarty – all rights reserved, I know it’s the holiday season, But it doesn’t make me feel very glad. I can’t say I’m very happy, But I also can’t say that I’m very sad. So much has changed in the last few years, At least it has for me. But one thing that I know for sure, Christmas ain’t what it used to be. There’s no stockings on my mantle, I don’t have a Christmas tree. I didn’t put up a bunch of sparkling lights, for all my neighbors to see. This year there won’t be any Saint Nick, sliding down my chimney. I guess that just helps to show that Christmas ain’t what it used to be. I know that everything changes, nothing ever stays the same. I can’t keep track of all the new rules, though it’s a part of the same old game. A smokey bar with live music, is where you’ll probably find me. Another night I’ll play the blues, cuz, Christmas ain’t what it used to be. Every upside has its downside, and every downside has it’s up. I won’t get gifts that I have to take back, or any more ugly coffee cups. I’ve got fewer things that are tying me down, and that’s not a bad way to be, So I guess that I really don’t care that Christmas ain’t what it used to be. Don’t spend time worrying about me, there’s no reason to feel bad. Please believe me when I say, I’m not upset, or feeling sad. It’s just one more of lifes changes, much worse things could happen to me. For me it’s become just another day, cuz Christmas ain’t what it used to be.

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