I Wanna Be Santa Claus
| I Wanna Be Santa Claus | ||||
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| Studio album by Ringo Starr | ||||
| Released | 19 October 1999 (US) | |||
| Recorded | September 1998, March–September 1999, Whatinthewhatthe? Studios, Los Angeles |
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| Genre | Rock and roll, Christmas music | |||
| Length | 44:59 | |||
| Label | Mercury | |||
| Producer | Mark Hudson and Ringo Starr | |||
| Ringo Starr chronology | ||||
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| Singles from I Wanna Be Santa Claus | ||||
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| Professional ratings | |
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| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide | |
I Wanna Be Santa Claus is the twelfth studio album by Ringo Starr, a Christmas album, issued in 1999.
Ringo Starr and musical partner Mark Hudson composed "Dear Santa" and "Christmas Eve" in July 1998 at Starr's Surrey residence. The pair of the songs were recorded a few months later, between 14 and 16 September in the UK. Follow-up sessions did not commence till 8 March 1999 at Whatinthewhatthe? Studios in Los Angeles, where the tracks "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer", "The Little Drummer Boy", "Christmas Time (Is Here Again)" and further work on "Dear Santa", were taped that day. Featured on these tracks were Starr, Hudson, Jim Cox and Steve Dudas. Recorded throughout 1999 between Starr and Hudson, I Wanna Be Santa Claus—which is composed of half-and-half traditional songs and new originals—was made in several studios in the US and UK, with their families joining in and including two notable celebrity guests, Aerosmith's Joe Perry and Eagles member Timothy B. Schmit. Jeff Lynne also sings backing vocals on "Come on Christmas, Christmas Come On", "I Wanna Be Santa Claus", and "Christmas Time (Is Here Again)". The final sessions for the album were held on 8 and 9 September at Whatinthewhatthe? Studios, with mixing taking place at A&M Studios, Los Angeles and Sterling Sound, New York.
The title track is about spreading Christmas cheer on every day of the year, compared to just on Christmas Day.
Released on 19 October 1999, in the US by Mercury, ahead of the Christmas season, I Wanna Be Santa Claus was not a commercial success, despite its strong reviews. It was re-released on 23 September 2003 entitled 20th Century Masters: The Best of Ringo Starr/The Christmas Collection. Starr left Mercury after they had done no promotion for the album, which in turn resulted in little sales.
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