Richard Dawson – Boxing Day sales

In his latest release, Richard Dawson crafts an unconventional Christmas narrative through “Boxing Day Sales”, the second single from his upcoming album “End of the Middle”. The song’s deliberately simple structure creates a fascinating contrast with its layered meaning – much like finding unexpected depth in a drawer full of forgotten Christmas presents.

Faye MacCalman’s clarinet work, representing “lightning” throughout the album, adds an element of controlled chaos to what Dawson intended as a “pure pop song”. The composition plays with the concept of disposability – both in terms of seasonal consumerism and musical structure – while subtly examining deeper human experiences.

The accompanying video, directed by James Hankins, places Dawson in various London shop windows and streets, creating a visual commentary that mirrors the song’s exploration of post-Christmas commercial spaces. The final scene of rubbish collection resonates powerfully with the repeated refrain “You owe it to yourself”.

This release previews “End of the Middle”, scheduled for Valentine’s Day 2025, which delves into middle-class English family dynamics and intergenerational cycles.