Simons Says is coming to RTÉjr and RTÉ Player next year, but Simon has a Christmas gift with their festive special and you can watch it right now!!
Click here to watch the show on RTÉ Player!
Simon Noble, who plays the main character of Simon, has shared some top tips on how to write your own Christmas song here. You can see the Simon Says Christmas Song up top too! Just press play on the image above!!
Simon's top three tips for writing a Christmas song…
1. Words
When I was first thinking of writing a Christmas song for Simon Says, I wanted to make sure the words were absolutely spot on and represented my vision of Christmas. My favourite part of Christmas is spending time with my nearest and dearest and doing the things that we look forward to all year around, so I wanted the lyrics to represent that. So my first tip is to pick the things that are important to you at Christmas and incorporate them in the lyrics. The song will mean more to you if you believe in what you are singing.
2. Music
Christmas songs can be very varied but a lot fall into two categories. The first are the songs that you sing a long or dance to with your friends like Wizzard, Slade or Shakin’ Stevens, that celebrate the party atmosphere that comes at this time of year. The second are those slower paced songs that focus on the magical elements of the festive period. Think Nat King Cole’s The Christmas Song or White Christmas by Bing Crosby. My second tip is to select a category or a genre that suits your words the best?
3. Instruments
Which instruments and sounds do you hear on songs that immediately identify them as Christmas songs? Could it be a children’s choir as heard on Cliff Richard’s Mistletoe and Wine or Christmas Time (Don’t Let the Bells End) by The Darkness. Maybe the classic sleigh bells that are pretty much on every Christmas song….ever! Including my one.
Or perhaps it’s Tubular Bells which can be heard on Mike Oldfield’s In Dulci Jubilo or at the end of East 17’s Stay Another Day. My third tip is to use the right instrumentation to accompany your words and make sure it has some of those magical Christmassy elements.
And don't forget to tune in to the Simon Says Christmas Special on RTÉjr and RTÉ Player now!
