George Pelham delivers a timeless piece with this holiday song, drawing on memories and downtime. "Santa, Work Your Magic" is a beautiful meditation on the loss of innocence that time gradually enacts. Pelham writes a song that replaces enchantment with logic and certainty with doubt, but longs, all the same, for something pure.
The emotional heart of the song lies in a bittersweet idea that kids can believe in things they can't see, while adults often lose that gift as they grow older. Pelham leans into that contrast, writing the song as an earnest letter to wonder itself. His voice carries yearning and hope, a recognition that the longing to believe in something higher persists. The indie-pop musical underpinning is buoyant, melodic, and warm. Pelham offers something fresh-sounding yet able to stand the test of time by carefully adding layers of seasonal sparkle atop a heartfelt story.
Rather than a character in folklore or advertising, Pelham sees Santa as a symbol of the faith, imagination, and potential that we readily accepted but have forgotten. It feels less like he longs to bring back the parties and more like he wants us to rediscover our boundless faith. With this release, we can briefly wallow in wonder, courtesy of George Pelham. This indie-pop holiday single strikes a deep chord and calls to mind the idea that magic is not just for kids but for anyone bold enough to claim it.
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