Billed as the World's first computer generated TV host, Max Headroom was actually actor Matt Frewer behind complex prosthetic make-up and digitally-manipulated speech patterns. Debuting in 1985 in TV movie Max Headroom: 20 Minutes Into The Future, the character went to host a Channel 4 music programme, and later featured in his own US TV drama series. The character's popularity led to him featuring on a hit single with The Art of Noise, Paranoimia, in 1986, which no doubt led Chrysalis Records to release this solo Christmas single, in which Max urges the listener to send some Christmas love back to the selfless St Nick. Written by the writers behind the Channel 4 show, it's quite a straight Christmas song lyrically, albeit with an irreverent edge. In contrast with the technical wizardry behind the vocal locs from Max is a very seasonal arrangement courtesy of producer Keith Strachan, who would later play a prominent part in the 1988 Christmas number one. Strachan throws the Christmas kitchen sink into the electric piano-led production, which features horns, bells and a choir, but manages to give the track room to breathe. One of the better Christmas novelty tracks, and much more listenable than you might expect.
Written by: Paul Owen & David Hansen
Produced by: Keith Strachan
Chrysalis Records CLAUS 1 / Chart position unknown
From my Kindle book "80s UK Christmas Singles" -- a bargain at 99p!
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