Tem-Ple - 'Never be mine this Christmas Time'

November 29th 2023

Single Review

****2/3

It's Christmas time...!!!

It's Christmas! As Noddy Holder from Slade will soon be declaring and will continue to do so over the coming weeks, which is usually the signal for radio stations the width and breath of the UK to start playing the old Christmas favourites. Mariah’s 'All I want for Christmas', Wham's 'Last Christmas' and the Pogues 'Fairytale of New York', all wonderful songs we can sing along to. The Christmas hit parade has also seen its fair share of charity songs, the most obvious being 'Do they know it's Christmas. 'Never be mine this Christmas Time' by Tem-Ple is not just another Christmas Charity song, it is a beautiful piece of art ready to be unleashed on the World. It starts with a short voice over, layered across the Christmas jingle of bells, and an opening Ms Carey would be proud of, but it quickly turns into upbeat Pop song that ebbs and flows between full Pop and choir ballad.

Tem-Ple, a production duo Suzette and Aurora are joined by Brit School student Janayah and the World famous The London Community Gospel Choir, who collectively, bring a perfect balance of a joyful celebration that a Christmas should bring, along with a touch of heart ache, whilst maintaining an upbeat felling throughout the track. The chorus starts with talk of a secret kiss and and always being on a Christmas list, proclaiming both the hope and love that we associate with Christmas, but closes with the sad line and title “you’ll never be mine this Christmas time”.

It spirals deeper, notes of broken hearts and being played, suggestive of a lover spurned before the singer asks “hold my hand don’t want to see me cry” a hint at the more truthful meaning to the song. The track takes you on a journey, the intro builds into an up-tempo Pop beat, that as mentioned, hints at the darkness behind it, it breaks in the right places to allow the Gospel choir to effortlessly step forward before returning to the warmth and soul found in Janayah’s voice. The two distinctive sounds elevate each other towards the end, enveloping the listener in an acoustic hug whilst caroling of need and love.

Although this is an outstanding track, its release does have a more serious side, with producer Aurora having had had first-hand experience of Ehlers-Danilo’s Syndrome, a syndrome that effects one in five hundered people. Following a nine year battle and having been misdiagnosed it was this that prompted the concept and collaboration, aiming to raise awareness of the condition. The release will be followed by a campaign focusing on the medical aspects, with the backing of This Mornings Dr, Hilary and ex-radio presenter Jameela Jamil. The song is available to download now, and will be officially launching )The switching on of) the Christmas lights in Piccadilly Circus today November the 29th, 2023.

Review by Peter Stevenson