We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Christmas Hummingbird

by The Watanabes

/
  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      £1 GBP  or more

     

about

THANK YOU:
Christmas Hummingbird is the culmination of a six year journey that began on a grey Sunday afternoon in a share-house bedroom in Tokyo with a second hand guitar. The Watanabes would like to thank all of the talented people who have guided us along the way: our producer David Naughton for sharing his musical gifts with us; Executive producer Guy Perryman for spotting the festive potential in Hummingbird and inspiring this project; Nicholas Buc for his wonderful string section; Matt Hogan for his creative contributions to the choir arrangement; Kimi, Kaiya and Kan Naughton for their beautiful backing vocals; our lovely cousin, Marina Elphick, for providing the perfect Hummingbird illustration and our resident artist, Hitomi Tsuchiya for complimenting it with the logo and title. In addition, we'd like to recognise the love and support of our family; Mum, Dad, Jiye, Chun, Kieran, Kylie, Aina and Lifei. This song is for you.

INSPIRATION:
In 2003, Selwyn Walsh gave his parents a warm embrace at Heathrow airport and headed across the seas for adventure and excitement in the land of the rising sun. A year later, he beckoned his younger brother, Duncan, with the hope of forming a band together. Duncan eagerly followed his brothers call, and The Watanabes have been strumming their stuff in Japan ever since, as their family watched from afar. After over a decade in Japan, the two brothers wrote Hummingbird, a song inspired by the conflicting emotions that are created when you find yourself enjoying life in a new country that is so very, very far away from home. In 2017, The Watanabes released Hummingbird as part of their Spoiled and Nostalgic EP and the record quickly reached the attentive ears of InterFm DJ, Guy Perryman. As a fellow, long-time foreign resident in Japan with roots in rural England, Guy understood how it felt to be so far away from loved ones and formed an emotional connection with the song. Sensing a festive flavour to the lyrics, Guy played Hummingbird on his Christmas Day morning radio show and ideas began to brew. Soon after, he contacted The Watanabes to ask whether they could consider altering the lyrics, and re-releasing the song as a Christmas song, with bells, a choir and strings. With the help of such talented collaborators as David Naughton (production), Nicholas Buc (strings) and Matt Hogan (choir), Guy's Christmas vision has come true. At a time when coronavirus is keeping so many apart from their loved ones, we hope that Christmas Hummingbird will provide a little comfort and joy this winter.

lyrics

If I were a hummingbird, I would cross the sea and I’d fly to you.
Sail across the open fields, land upon your window and sing for you.

Soaring the skies with wide open eyes, deep into the blue.
Braving the seas, take wing with the breeze, come calling to you.

And if you listen with your heart, then you’ll hear my tune.
You can open up your window, and let the moonlight inspire you

If I were a hummingbird, I would cross the sea and I’d fly to you:
Traveling a thousand miles, bringing a surprise with the morning dew.

From flowers and trees drift sweet melodies sung only for you.
Long into the night, the moon shining bright, when dreams can come true.

And if you listen with your heart, then you’ll hear my tune.
You can open up your window, let the moonlight inspire you

Christmas Eve fall asleep. I won’t say goodbye.
‘Cause if you listen with your heart then you’ll hear my lullaby.

Lalalalalalalalalala…

Christmas Eve fall asleep. I won’t say goodbye.
‘Cause if you listen with your heart then you’ll hear my lullaby.

credits

released November 2, 2020
Written by Duncan Walsh, Selwyn Walsh, David Naughton, Guy Perryman.
Produced by David Naughton.
Mastered by Alex Gordon.
Strings by Nicholas Buc.
Choir arrangement by Matt Hogan and David Naughton.
Choir vocals by Kan, Kai and Kimi Naughton.

This track was recorded in Tokyo and Shikoku, Japan. It was mastered at Abbey Road Studios in London.

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

The Watanabes 東京都, Japan

A Tokyo alternative rock band who enjoy flower arranging and banana milkshakes.

contact / help

Contact The Watanabes

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this track or account

If you like The Watanabes, you may also like: