“Christmas Kids” Lyrics & Meaning (Roar)

Christmas Kids is an upbeat song.

It reminds us of pop music from the 1960s.

And the title sounds like a happy memory.

But it’s all misdirection.

The Christmas Kids lyrics meaning is extremely dark and Roar intentionally created this juxtaposition between dark lyrics and happy music.

So what is the song about hen?

Keep reading to learn exactly what Roar was trying to say with their hit song and why it is such an important tune.

 

Christmas Kids Lyrics And Meaning

Christmas Kids explores the complexities of abusive relationships. The band Roar released the song in 2010. It falls under the genre of alternative/indie. Roar are from Phoenix, Arizona and were formed by Owen Evans in the late 2000s.

The song went viral on TikTok in 2023 and this caused it to reach chart success. It peaked at number 58 on the UK singles chart, which was the first chart entry for Roar. The track comes from the band’s debut EP, I Can’t Handle Change.

The song was inspired by the pop music of the 1960s, even though the upbeatness of this sound is a stark contrast to the dark lyrics of the song.

This has helped to challenge the romanticized portrayals of relationships that we often see in the media and relationships that were seen as popular during the 1960s.

Roar wanted the difference in sound to be compared to the lyrics to highlight the realities of abusive relationships, while still being reminiscent of the 1960s.

 

Christmas Kids Lyrics

 

Verse 1

Ronnette, my dear, don’t ever disappear
Do what you want as long as you stay here
I need you now, I love you so much
More than you could know

Verse 2

The Christmas kids were nothing but a gift
And love is a tower where all of us can live

Pre-Chorus

You’ll change your name or change your mind
And leave this fucked up place behind

Chorus

But I’ll know, I’ll know
I’ll know, I’ll know
I’ll know, I’ll know
I’ll know, I’ll know

Bridge

Appearing unsightly
With devils inside me
If you ever try to leave me, I’ll find you, Ronnie
If you ever try to leave me, I’ll find you, Ronnie
If you ever try to leave me, I’ll find you, Ronnie
If you ever try to leave me, I’ll find you, Ronnie

Verse 3

I’m leaving, Phil, I’m leaving now
I’m going to escape, but you won’t know how
Or where to find me when I’m gone
I’ll drink myself to death inside
This prison cell
This prison cell

Pre-Chorus

So get me out of here
Get me out of here
Get me out of here
Get me out of here
You’ll change your name or change your mind
And leave this fucked up place behind

Chorus

But I’ll know, I’ll know
I’ll know, I’ll know
I’ll know, I’ll know
I’ll know, I’ll know

 

Christmas Kids Meaning

The song tells the haunting story of the marriage between Phil and Ronnie Spector, which was tumultuous and abusive. They were both famous in the 1960s. Phil Spector was a music producer and Ronnie Spector was part of the band The Ronettes.

The song and melody portray a marriage rooted in issues of control and manipulation. It’s about the struggle for freedom in a toxic relationship and reflects the larger societal issues with abusive relationships.

This song is important, due to the number of women who have experienced abuse in their relationships and struggled to get out of them.

The title Christmas Kids refers to the children Phil Spector got himself and Ronnie to adopt in an attempt to save their marriage. They were supposed to be a way to bring her closer to him and stop her from leaving the marriage.

This shows just how manipulative Phil Spector was in his marriage, where he physically confined her and subjected her to emotional and physical abuse. It meant Ronnie’s life was constantly filled with fear, so much so that she eventually had to flee from the marriage.

The lyrics of the song reflect the pain a person feels when they’re in an abusive relationship. The lyrics speak about a fear of abandonment and how it can be suffocating when you always depend on one person.

The line “If you ever try to leave me, I’ll find you, Ronnie,” shows the menacing control and obsession that defined Phil Spector’s relationship.

The song then goes on to show Ronnie getting her independence with the line, “I’m leaving Phil, I’m leaving now.”

It tells us that Ronnie was finally able to break free from her oppressive and abusive confines. She finally had the courage to leave despite all the threats that Phil Spector would have thrown at her.

Roar did not just write Christmas Kids to be a catchy song. They wanted to bring attention to abusive relationships, which they did by focusing on a famous abusive one from the past.

The band wanted to raise awareness of people feeling trapped in relationships and to spark discussions between people on these matters. The song makes us feel a whirlwind of emotions, which is exactly what Roar wanted, because it reflects the whirlwind feeling that can come from being in an abusive relationship.

 

Christmas Kids Lyrics Meaning: Final Thoughts

Did you have any idea that the The Christmas Kids lyrics meaning was so dark? Or that the band was using the case of Phil and Ronnie Specter to make their point about abusive relationships?

Juxtaposing a happy tune with dark lyrics is a common tactic bands use to ensure their point gets across. Two other famous examples are Cherry Wine by Hozier and Heat Waves by Glass Animals.

You should also check out our look at the Bloody Mary lyrics meaning. Lady Gaga’s hit is not nearly as dark, but it does touch on the subject of abuse, among many other things.