Franklin McKay has the holiday blues in his latest single and video Christmas Ain’t the Same (Without You) — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
Celebrating the season is nothing new for the Canadian singer-songwriter, whose previous holiday releases include The Best Day of the Year and This Christmas, with the latter hitting No. 24 on the Billboard charts. This year, however, McKay switched gears. Co-written with Harem Scarem’s Harry Hess, Christmas Ain’t the Same (Without You) strays from his traditionally upbeat and happier-sounding holiday offerings. “Not everybody is jingle-bell happy,” says McKay, explaining that this track is “more of a reflective song, as opposed to a downer. Every Christmas isn’t happy for everybody. I think songs have places at different times in our lives and what we’re going through.”
While the pandemic can be credited for at least some of the track’s inspiration, McKay reveals it ultimately relates it to the passing of his mother, who died in 2017 at age 85. “I think anybody who has lost a loved one can relate on that level. It’s applicable to anybody that has lost somebody in their lives that they’re used to having around.”
Originally hailing from Sault Ste. Marie, McKay has worked with a multitude of notable artists over the course of his career, including Bill Champlin (Chicago), Marc Jordan (Rod Stewart), Heather Rankin (Rankin Family), Greg Fitzgerald (Madonna, Hall & Oates), and more. Currently at work on a new album, previous releases from the L.A. / Toronto-based artist including charting tracks such as More Than A Memory, Someone and Destiny. His most recent release Breath of Life debuted at No. 50 on Billboard’s Christian Airplay chart in February.
Check out Christmas Ain’t the Same (Without You) above, hear more from Franklin McKay below, and follow him on Facebook and Instagram.
