| I Wanna Be Santa Claus | |
| Type: | Studio album |
| Artist: | Ringo Starr |
| Cover: | I Wanna Be Santa Claus Ringo Starr albumcover.jpg |
| Released: | 19 October 1999 (US) |
| Recorded: | September 1998, March–September 1999 |
| Studio: | Whatinthewhatthe? (Los Angeles) |
| Genre: | Rock, christmas music |
| Length: | 44:59 |
| Label: | Mercury |
| Producer: | |
| Prev Title: | VH1 Storytellers |
| Prev Year: | 1998 |
| Next Title: | The Anthology... So Far |
| Next Year: | 2001 |
I Wanna Be Santa Claus is the 12th studio album by Ringo Starr. A Christmas album, it was issued in 1999. It is the only Christmas album released by any member of the Beatles to date.
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. "Christmas Time (Is Here Again") was originally recorded by The Beatles in 1967 for their annual Christmas record for members of their fan club. 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,[1] 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",[2] "I Wanna Be Santa Claus",[3] and "Christmas Time (Is Here Again)".[4] 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.[1]
The title track is about spreading Christmas cheer on every day of the year, compared to just on Christmas Day.[1]
Released on 19 October 1999, in the US[5] by Mercury,[1] 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.[6] Starr left Mercury after they had done no promotion for the album, which in turn resulted in little sales.[1]