12 Songs of Christmas - #4 Winter Dreams (Brandon's Song)

Kelly Clarkson 2013


Disclaimer: All perspectives, opinions, and memories in this entry are mine and mine alone. Some content is rugged, raw, and - sometimes - NSFW, but it's all authentic and included with purpose.

To read the "12 Songs of Christmas Intro," please CLICK HERE
To read Song #12 - "God Bless Us Everyone," please CLICK HERE To read Song #11 - "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," please CLICK HERE To read Song #10 - "All I Want for Christmas is You," please CLICK HERE To read Song #9 - "Santa Baby," please CLICK HERE To read Song #8 - "Baby, It's Cold Outside," please CLICK HERE To read Song #7 - "Celebrate Me Home," please CLICK HERE

To read Song #6 - "Don't Waste Your Wishes," please CLICK HERE

To read Song #5 - "I'll Be Home for Christmas," please CLICK HERE

Why it’s on the list…


Big.

Grand.


Sweeping.


Man. This song might embody those attributes (some of my favorite attributes of Christmas music) more than any other on this list.


It’s baffling to me why this song isn’t more popular - but then again, it might just have it’s own mainstream moment someday like another song on this list did...


And like “All I Want for Christmas” was, “Winter Dreams” is the perfect song to use in a Christmas movie


(PLEASE let me know if it already has been used)


In my Top 40, I wrote some about the scenes and movies and shows I’ve written in the past. This song has always lingered as the ideal track to use on my one and only Christmas movie idea.


My high school drama teacher, Colin (who would become a lifelong mentor and friend), once wrote a play set at Christmas time. It was essentially based on some of his own real life events and I believe was a very cathartic experience for him (as any good art can be).


I had the idea to translate the core of the concept into a Christmas movie. Here are the nuts and bolts of the plot:


  • Boy and girl grow up in a small mountain town, get engaged to be married

  • Boy breaks off the engagement and moves far away

  • Years later Boy comes home for Christmas and faces the scorn of the small town townsfolk (side note - I LOVE small town townsfolk in movies and TV shows) for hurting the girl

  • Boy meets New Girl who is new to town. They hit it off

  • BIG TWIST: you find out that Old Girl was the one that actually broke off the engagement but Boy took the blame because Old Girl had more ties to the community and it was easier for Boy to move away

  • Old Girl realizes she still has feelings for Boy. This perplexes him as he’s been hurt for years AND is getting to know New Girl

  • Chaos ensues

  • Boy and New Girl live happily ever after.


I think about this script every. single. Christmas. 


I know it will never get written or actually produced but it’s been a fun project to noodle over for the past 10-15 years or so during November and December.


All that to say - “Winter Dreams” is THE song I would want to use in the montage of Boy and New Girl hanging out and getting to know each other better. 


Don’t have a completed script. Don’t even have a title for the movie (taking suggestions!) But I’ve got THAT scene locked down.


While We’re Here…


Colin had the idea for the sketch comedy show at high school that I went on to do at college so I’m using this space to talk about my Top 5 All Time Favorite “Saturday Night Live” Christmas sketches:


5. Christmas Miracle - these Kate McKinnon skits are so predictable but they ALWAYS get me.


4. Drunk Uncle - Bobby! Man I still miss him from the cast. 


3. Sue: Christmas Surprise - Sum and I still quote Kristen's character from this skit frequently. I still enjoying using Sue gifs and memes.


2. Michael BublĂ© Christmas DuetsBublĂ© is back! I appreciate when SNL lets the cast loose to do their impressions for skits like this and movie auditions.


1. Baby, It's Cold Outside - Once again, Cancel Culture has made this video almost impossible to find but I love the twist on this song and the sweet wrap-up at the end.


Listen to "Winter Dreams (Brandon's Song)" here:






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