Battlestar Eclectic

Sarah Torribio and her right brain. Music. Musings. Writing. Style.

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I’m a writer with a background in journalism and a penchant for writing down my poetry, screenplays and random musing. I’m also a mom of two and die-hard rock ‘n roll fan.

Song of the Day: ‘Christmas Wrapping’ by the Waitresses

Is there anything better than this New Wave holiday classic?, with its fun irreverence and sprightly disillusionment. And then there’s that virtuoso saxophone ranging from jaunty to downright pretty. My song of the day is “Christmas Wrapping” by The Waitresses

Lead singer Patty Donahue died of cancer in 1996 at the tender age of 40. It was a short but amazing go-round. You look only need watch the video to see that Donahue was button-cute in a lean and rangy way. She had great ’80s style and her delivery was a smart and compelling mix of faux-bimbo (“I Know what Boys Like”) and jaded smart girl. Irresistible.

–Sarah Torribio

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5 responses to “Song of the Day: ‘Christmas Wrapping’ by the Waitresses”

  1. Sarah Torribio Avatar
    Sarah Torribio

    I just did some sleuthing. Patty graduated from Kent State and worked as a waitress before her stint with the band. She then went onto work in A &R. Christmas Wrapping was voted among the best Christmas songs ever by All Music. It sounds like she died too soon but lived long enough to have varied experiences, many fun, and to know she had an impact. I was an obituary writer for 5 years, and death always strikes me as less sad of a person ticks off those boxes.

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  2. Jeff Cann Avatar
    Jeff Cann

    I love this song on many levels. Beyond the great music and clever, tumbling rhymes, the subject matter, yuppies too busy to live their lives coupled with Donahue’s ridiculously early death always leave me slightly melancholy when I hear it. I think: Did Patty enjoy her life, or was she too busy checking off boxes so she could live life later on. I’ve written about this too.

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