It’s time for our last featured track of the year, so let’s end 2020 with something that sums up exactly how we’re all feeling after this wild AF year – a little bit sad, a little bit hopeful, and a little bit festive. Lapwing‘s “Hope Christmas Gets You To Me” ticks all those boxes. The gentle ballad, crafted by Glasgow teachers Phil Ford and Tim Kwant, started racking up huge views earlier this month. But when an accidental hit of the delete button saw all those comments and likes vanish overnight, Ford and Kwant called out for help to recapture their viral success. Happily the people answered, making “Hope Christmas Gets You To Me” even more popular than before, as UK radio legends including Ken Bruce and Graham Norton stepped up to the challenge. It’s no surprise that this heartfelt track has resonated with so many, particularly in the UK where COVID-19 has really taken hold. It’ll be a lonely Christmas for a lot of people this year, and Lapwing know exactly how they feel.
Phil Ford and Tim Kwant work in schools in the west of the city. In their spare time, they write songs and play music together as ‘Lapwing’. ‘Hope Christmas Gets You To Me’ is the duo’s first single. Phil came up with the idea for the song about three weeks ago and WhatsApped the lyrics to Tim who quickly put them to a tune. Tim said: “It’s been a busy time producing the song and then recording the video last weekend. “We’ve had some amazing help from friends and family along the way. “We really hope that we’ve captured something hopeful that chimes with people despite the sadness of this Christmas, and the huge challenges of the year.” Phil teaches English at Glasgow High School and Tim teaches Physics at Knightswood Secondary.
The chorus goes: Cause I’m missing the touch of the ones that I love / Couldn’t care less what’s under the tree; “I don’t know what I’m getting for Christmas this year / But I’m hoping it gets you to me.” Phil said: “We’re two teachers from Glasgow, both with young families, and songwriters in the little spare time we have