The Modern Christmas Anthem
"Shake Up Christmas" isn't just a jingle; it's a high-energy pop-rock track that demands stamina. Released by Train in 2010, this song has become a modern holiday staple. Lead singer Pat Monahan brings his signature tenor tone, combining a conversational storytelling style in the verses with a soaring, belted chorus.
To sing this well, you need to balance rhythmic precision with vocal freedom. The song moves fast, and if you don't breathe in the right places, you'll run out of air before the final "Ho Ho Ho." Let's break down the technique.
AI Coach Tip: Watch Your Diction
The verses are wordy and fast. Our analysis shows users lose points on timing here. Practice the lyrics slowly, exaggerating the consonants (T's and P's) to keep the rhythm tight when you speed it back up.
Phase 1: The Rhythmic Verses (0:00 - 0:45)
The song kicks off with the iconic "Ho Ho Ho" chant. Keep this bright and forward. When the verse enters ("Fabio and Rose..."), treat it almost like speaking on pitch. The melody sits comfortably in the middle register (C4-E4), so you don't need to push.
The Trap: Getting lazy with the rhythm. The lyrics tell a story, and if you drag behind the beat, the energy of the song collapses. Stay right on top of the snare drum beat.
Phase 2: The Chorus Belt (0:45 - 1:15)
Here is where the song opens up. "Shake up the happiness, wake up the happiness" requires a switch to a fuller chest/mix voice. The melody jumps around E4 to G4, with some ad-libs hitting higher.
- Tone: Keep it "smiley." A bright tone matches the sleigh bell instrumentation and helps you hit the higher notes without straining.
- Dynamics: Sing the chorus significantly louder than the verses to create contrast.
Phase 3: The Bridge & Ad-libs (2:30 - End)
The bridge ("Smile it's Christmas") brings a slight change in melody before launching back into the final choruses. Pat Monahan loves to improvise high notes here, reaching up to A4 or even B♭4 in live versions. Ensure your throat is open and relaxed; use diaphragm support to power through the end of the song.
Frequently Asked Questions
The core melody hits a G4, but the belted ad-libs and vocal runs reach up to an A4. It sits high for a baritone but is very comfortable for a tenor.
Yes, absolutely. You can sing it in the original key (it will sit low in your range) or use the Singing Coach AI app to transpose it up +2 or +3 semitones to make it shine in your upper register.
Pat Monahan uses a lot of "twang" (narrowing the vocal tract) and nasal resonance. Try smiling while you sing the high notes to mimic that bright, piercing pop-rock tone.
