Kurt Vile is in the holiday spirit. The Vile family has released a charming homespun music video for their cover of “Must Be Santa.” The track, which first appeared on Vile’s Back to Moon Beach EP in 2023, features Vile and his daughters performing the Christmas cult classic.
Directed by Kurt and Sam Vile, the video was first released last Christmas as an Instagram exclusive but has now been uploaded to the laconic rock great’s YouTube channel just in time for this year’s yuletide festivities. It features a range of Vile’s relatives: Sam as Santa, Jelloman as Dasher, Awilda as Dancer, Delphine as the Christmas Elf, Koda as Prancer, and Jeralyn as Vixen. “Happy holidaze!” Vile told fans in a message announcing the video.
In addition to sharing the video, Vile has announced a second charity benefit show in his hometown of Philadelphia. Both shows will take place at Johnny Brenda’s on Jan. 18, with Vile performing solo after an opening set from Mike Polizze. After a 9 p.m. show sold out instantly, a second show was added for 5 p.m. the same day. The concerts benefit Natural Creativity Center, an alternative, self-directed learning center based in Germantown, which serves children aged 4-18 from the greater Philadelphia area.
Written by Hal Moore and Bill Fredricks, “Must Be Santa” is designed to mimic the call and response of a German drinking song. It was first released in 1960 by Mitch Miller, quickly followed by covers by Tommy Steele and Joan Regan that became UK hits in the early 1960s. It has been covered many more times, including by the Brave Combo, whose polka- and klezmer-informed arrangement inspired Bob Dylan’s 2009 recording of the song.
In his note to fans, Vile cited Dylan as the inspiration for his “Must Be Santa” cover. That said, he put his own distinctive twist on the material, transforming it into a casual, dreamy synth-pop track.
Watch the video for Kurt Vile’s “Must Be Santa” now.