Published: December 11, 2024
by Justin Difazzio
Something we’ve done quietly for the last five or so years is taking the week off between Christmas and New Year’s Day. Because of that hiatus, we have to let our clients know we’re not going to be available. Since we can’t ever do anything without a little panache, our writer on staff (hi, that’s me) has taken suggestions from the team for holiday songs to parody for an out-of-office message.
In the past we have tackled such bangers as the ubiquitous All I Want for Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey, Jingle Bells, Carol of the Bells, and last year’s hit I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas, which became I Want a Whole Week Off or More for Christmas. We actually got our friends Jeanine Holcomb & Peter Lindsey to record that one, and you can hear it here.
This year, the most vocal suggestion was Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer. So, we set to work drafting appropriately festive and informative lyrics and came out of the brainstorm with Brian Got Run Over By A Deadline. Our creative director and titular deadline victim, Brian, called in a favor from some musical friends of his, and they got all festive in the sound booth to make our dreams a reality.
Give it a listen!
Brian Got Run Over by a Deadline
Brian got run over by a deadline,
Working at the office Christmas Eve.
You might think he wouldn’t work on Christmas,
But if you saw our emails you’d believe.
He’d been typing up proposals,
Drinking coffee cup by cup,
It was almost time for Santa,
And the caffeine didn’t work to keep him up.
When we found him after New Year,
He was slumped over his desk,
The whole office smelled like coffee,
And the email he was typing never sent.
Oh!
Brian got run over by a deadline,
Working over our whole holiday,
You might think he’d take some time for Santa,
But when we all got time off, he just stayed.
Oh!
Brian got run over by a deadline,
Drooling at his desk all fast asleep.
The rest of us all partied until Jan. 2.
But Brian didn’t ever make a peep.
No, he passed out at his desk, fast asleep.
(Fast asleep)
Yes, no one heard him make a sound for weeks.
We look forward to crafting a new masterpiece for next year. If you know local musicians who might like to try their hand at setting our holiday out of office parodies to music, get in touch! We’re always happy to support creative efforts.
Happy holidays!