6 Music DJ writes all-star Christmas song

Shaun Keaveny’s Christmas song features Rod Stewart, Bernard Butler, Mark King and and Matt Everitt

Rod Stewart leads Shaun Keaveny’s all-star ensemble for 6 Music’s Christmas song, featuring Bernard Butler and Level 42’s Mark King

In a coming together of musical minds, the legendary Rod Stewart has recorded vocals for a Christmas song written by BBC Radio 6 Music’s breakfast show presenter, Shaun Keaveny. The track, entitled Please Don’t Get Me Anything For Christmas, received its first play during Shaun’s show this week.

The idea came about back in November when Rod was interviewed by Shaun, who mentioned that he’d had the idea of penning a Christmas song with a “Rod Stewart-style vocal”. The two-time rock ‘n’ roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy Living Legend Award-winner persuaded Shaun that he should write the track, saying: “I’ll sing on it for you if you want, just send it through and I’ll record it. You’ve got my word.”

Inspired, Shaun then created his masterpiece and set about orchestrating the all-star line up to get involved. The track features Shaun on vocals alongside Rod, former Suede guitarist Bernard Butler plays guitar, with friend-of-the-show Level 42’s Mark King on bass and, from 6 Music, former Menswear drummer Matt Everitt makes his long-awaited comeback. Grammy and Brit award-winning record producer Steve Levine – known for his work with the Beach Boys and Culture Club – has produced the track in his Liverpool-based studio.

Shaun Keaveny said: “Slade, Wizzard, Jona Lewie, Cliff, Shaky, I feel for you all. Your Christmas reign is over. Your PRS cheques will dry to a trickle, for there’s a new kid in town. I have hewn a festive-inflected anti-materialistic anthem called ‘Please Don’t Get Me Anything For Christmas’, and it’s got Rod Stewart, Bernard Butler and Level 42’s Mark King on it!”

He continues: “I have to buy them all dinner to say thanks, so you could say it’s a supper-group… (tumbleweed). Chris Hawkins and Matt Everitt add inspiration and perspiration, respectively. It’s our Christmas present to you, our dear listeners, and it’s free, regrettably.”

A special behind-the-scenes video on the making of the Christmas song can be viewed below and the song itself can be downloaded for free from bbc.co.uk

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