Although this song may not be considered a “traditional” Christmas song, I still feel it IS a Christmas song because it does mention Christmas Eve. I consider it one of my faves because of its bittersweet story. The story just so happens to be true.

Singer/songwriter Dan Fogelberg wrote this and it was released as a single in 1980. It tells the story of a man who runs into his old flame at a grocery store on Christmas Eve and they reminisce about old times over a few beers in her car.

As the story goes, in 1975 Fogelberg had returned home to Peoria, IL to visit family at Christmas. While there he went to a store and ran into his old high school girlfriend Jill Anderson. The two did sit in her car and split a six pack while chatting for two hours.

Imagine Jill’s surprise five years later when she hears “Same Old Lang Syne” on the radio at Christmas. She has said in interviews that she is so glad to have known Dan Fogelberg.

My favorite line from the song is

“She said she saw me in the record stores
And that I must be doing well
I said, “The audience was heavenly
But the traveling was hell”

Which is something I’m sure more than one musician has felt over time.

If anything I feel this song doesn’t get nearly it’s due at Christmas. It really isn’t played as often as it should be.