Christmas is a time for surprises, a time to witness the awe and wonder of every day people. It’s also a time to ponder and take emotional stock. And, in many cases, it’s just a chance to let loose and have some fun. I think all of wraps itself nicely together in a bow in the new song “Santa Don’t Pass Me By” from singer/songwriter Tanille. Her comforting tones, her romantic gestures and a few dainty beats, “Santa Don’t Pass Me By” is a pop track that can’t be missed this holiday season.
I don’t know how I got so confused, Tanille sings. She’s alone at home and waiting patiently under the mistletoe for her mysteriously-absent man. She doesn’t sound like they’ve been in a fight – she’s very upbeat and the music bed is just as sparkly as if she were ice skating at Rockefeller Center. She never really gives the listener a hint at what happened and gives this song a really fun anticipation. I suppose it’s like making guesses as to what each wrapped gift will be or what Santa will leave under the tree.
I liked how there’s a bit of a plot twist in the song. Santa bring my baby home tonight, Santa don’t you pass me by, Santa don’t you pass me by…she sings in the irresistible chorus. I loved the pop flavoring in this, but at times there’s even a soulful or jazz hue. In the music bed, a saxophone filters through the music base, calling to mind that it’s nighttime. It’s sophisticated sounding and alluring. I felt like the saxophone provided just the right amount of embellishment. The song didn’t call for an extended saxophone solo and it stays within a very tight lane. The more I listened to this song, the more I felt like the saxophone moved the story to a more dramatic tone. It clinched it for me.
Tanille’s voice is sweet, but she’s not one to just fall over and give-in. She has a fire in her soul, she shows some moxie in her delivery. I noticed that in her voice in the recent release, “Not This Time”, and I’m happy to hear that she emboldens the listener once again, albeit more subtly, in this song. The surprises in this song for me were the saxophone and the way that Tanille made the listener feel like they were in her home with her, waiting for Santa. Waiting for this man. Maybe her man is dressed up like Santa. I don’t know, but I sure enjoyed brainstorming and creating all these scenarios in my head.
Any other song feels stale and so cut and dry – not this one. Tanille really gives her listeners a chance, a la choose your own adventure, to feel her emotions and use them as a springboard to move these same emotions into their own worlds. Surprise, this song has a lot of twists and turns, but most importantly, it has exceptional singing from an exciting indie artist.
Levi Colston
The music of Tanille has been heard all over the world in partnership with the radio plugging services offered by Musik and Film Radio Promotions Division. Learn more https://musikandfilm.com