Traditionally, Christmas shopping has seen one half of a couple get all of their presents purchased, assorted, and gift-wrapped weeks if not months before the big day. The other half? Well, they leave things until the last minute, plead with the store clerks not to close on time, and take whatever item remains on the shelves, at the cash register, or in the backroom. Now Brantford, Ontario-based Americana artist KC Armstrong has crafted the perfect, toe-tapping, upbeat narrative with his latest single, “I Hate That Sweater.”
“I Hate That Sweater” originated from a song Armstrong, who grew up in Lakefield, Ontario, penned entitled “Don’t Keep Me Waiting,” the first song he wrote that made it to a studio setting. It later appeared on a charity album compiled by Peterborough AM radio station CKPT with local bands doing original tunes. “Don’t Keep Me Waiting” was then countrified for his Ranchsongs album, leaving Armstrong a bit happier with that version. He rewrote the song originally as a “male anthem (tongue-in-cheek) about the trials and tribulations of waiting while your better-half prepares herself for a night on the town.” That version appeared on his Finally Crafted album.
In October 2024, Armstrong heard about a Christmas song contest from Cashbox Radio. Thinking of crafting an entirely new song, he remembered Randy Bachman’s “Taking Care Of Christmas” song, slightly reimagined from the signature “Taking Care Of Business.” “The idea started developing when I pictured the descending motif riff from ‘Don’t Keep Me Waiting’ being played on bells,” he says. “Humming the chorus tag ‘Don’t Keep Me Waiting’ a few times to myself, I heard my inner voice shouting, ‘I Hate That Sweater.'”
After finishing the lyrics an hour later, Armstrong added a glockenspiel, tubular bells, and sleigh bells which open the song with a snippet of the melody to “Silent Night.” The end result is a uptempo, toe-tapping beauty that speaks of Armstrong receiving a “green rhinestone, red pleather” sweater from his other half who got it at a good price at the absolute last minute. Toss in some great horns and amusing dialogue between the lyrics, and you have a nifty and newfangled Noel nugget.
“I Hate That Sweater” features Armstrong on vocals and bass, MaryEllen Allen on vocals, guitarists Barry Haggarty and Scott Utting, saxophonist Sean O’Connor, keyboardist Steve O’Connor, and drummer Jake Adams. Marty Hepburn, who worked on the original “Don’t Keep Me Waiting” song with Armstrong, fleshes the song out on harmonica. And Armstrong’s wife Debbie adds her dialogue part as “Little Debbie” in “I Hate That Sweater” for the narration snippets.
A video for “I Hate That Sweater” was also made but the single has already taken off quicker than Santa’s sleigh and Rudolph, making it to rotation on Cashbox Radio as the #1 most requested song on the Pick Hits, while being heard internationally in Italy, England, Bermuda, Australia and the United States. It also recently entered the Canadian Indie Country Countdown for Christmas songs.
“I Hate That Sweater” is the latest offering from the accomplished musician who has seen his material heard all over. Armstrong’s witty, whimsical style brings to mind musicians like Randy Newman, Nick Lowe, and the late Ronnie Hawkins. In fact, Armstrong’s band subbed as the Hawks for the iconic rocker back in 2003. Armstrong’s then band Cadillac Ranch were slated to back Hawkins at the legendary SARS-Stock concert at Toronto’s Downsview Park before hundreds of thousands featuring the Rolling Stones and AC/DC. Sadly, Hawkins’ health resulted in the appearance never being realized. Armstrong has also worked with and shared the stage with countless others, including the late Jeff Healey, while playing festivals across Canada and throughout North America.
Now with a new seasonal single in “I Hate That Sweater” and a new studio album in the works for 2025, look for KC Armstrong to find a bevy of treasures in his stocking this Christmas thanks to this fantastically festive and humorous track!