The picture most Christmas songs paint is a familiar one: chestnuts roasting on an open fire, a mountain of presents under the tree, twinkling fairy lights, a table packed with family and friends. You know, general joy and merriment. In reality, Christmas can be an incredibly lonely time for many people. For some, it can be a reminder of lost loved ones, for others it can exacerbate bad familial relations, estrangement or trauma. Thousands of us live thousands of miles away from home and can’t make it back for the big day, some are working over the Christmas period and for some, struggles with mental or physical health can complicate joining in with festivities. Mental health charity Mind has found that a third of people are too embarrassed to admit they are lonely at Christmas, with one in five people feeling like they have nowhere to turn for support over the festive period.
Miley Cyrus is determined to shed light on this version of Christmas. Taking to social media, she announced a new single, ‘My Sad Christmas Song’; an ode to feeling lonely over the festive period.
“A sad Christmas song I wrote a few years back right before the holidays. Was feeling like shit cause I couldn’t be with the one I loved. Even with a house full of family and friends I still felt alone.... [sic],” she tweeted to her 44.6 million followers.
“In ways that still feels relevant and someone reading this right now could possibly relate! If you feel lonely this season just know YOU ARE COMPLETELY MADE OF MAGIC! You are as special as a snowflake , beautifully unique and I hope inside your soul feels light, hope , peace…and joy knowing how singularly amazing YOU are! Love always wins! [sic],” she continued.
Replies soon flooded in with gratitude for sharing the song and her understanding words.
“Thank you so so so much for this. I feel more fulfilled and content this holiday season than ones a few seasons ago. But I know how much I would have appreciated hearing this message back then when I felt alone, dark and miserable during this time of year [sic],” one replied.
“Thank you Miley, I always had such a sadness feeling every time that holiday season was coming, like I wasn’t able to really understand and feel all that joy, and honestly I still don’t, but now I am more faithful that one day this might change [sic],” another commented.
With lyrics such as ‘Why'd I even put up that fuckin' tree? / If there's no one here that's gonna see’ and ‘I binge watch our favorite shows / This year feels kind of lame / But the last one was the same’, ‘My Sad Christmas Song’ is a refreshingly realistic departure from the saccharine sweetness of many Christmas hits. Plus, it’s peppered with Cyrus’s trademark witty sense of humour. Our favourite line? ‘I left Santa more than cookies this year / I thought he might appreciate a few beers / That's why I'm always on the naughty list / He said cause when I get drunk, I'm always showing my tits’. Never change Miley.
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