Wheatus reimagine 'Teenage Dirtbag' as festive song 'Christmas Dirtbag' – listen

Iron Maiden are ditched in favour of AC/DC

Wheatus - Christmas Dirtbag
Author: Scott ColothanPublished 23rd Nov 2023

Wheatus have recorded a festive version of their signature song ‘Teenage Dirtbag’ called ‘Christmas Dirtbag.’

The Santa-themed send-up of Wheatus’ evergreen 2000 song sees frontman Brendan B. Brown switch the lyrics for Christmas themed lines.

Set to the same tune but with obligatory sleighbells, Brown sings at the start: “First night of Noel / Asleep with the fire burning / Jingling bells / And sugarplum fairies turning / But I don't see / Any presents for me / Does Santa Claus know who I am? / Does Santa Claus even care about me?”

Later in the track, the famous “I got two tickets to Iron Maiden baby” line is changed for lyrics about another rock heavyweight – AC/DC.

It goes: "I've got two tickets to AC/DC, BB / Aftershow party at CBGB's / I'm just a Christmas dirtbag, BBB / Like you, ho ho ho ho-ho."

Watch Wheatus’ ‘Christmas Dirtbag’ video:

‘Christmas Dirtbag’ is the opening track on a new five-track Wheatus EP called ‘Just a Dirtbag Christmas’.

Alongside the lead single, the EP features the original songs ‘You Made Me Believe in Christmas,’ ‘Feels Like Christmas’ and ‘Mean Christmas,’ plus a Yule Log-ready string quartet version of ‘Teenage Dirtbag.’

Brendan B. Brown says of the EP: “We’ve talked about doing a Christmas song for many years, and this seemed like the perfect year to make it happen.

“But after much discussion we couldn’t settle on just one idea, and we wound up with five! So we figured - why not make it an EP? There’s a big pop rock song, a vintage 1950’s number, a dark & heavy one, a classy instrumental, and of course we couldn’t resist a Christmas Dirtbag… we wanted there to be something for everyone!”

Wheatus’ ‘Just a Dirtbag Christmas’ track-list:

Christmas Dirtbag

You Made Me Believe in Christmas

Feels Like Christmas

Mean Christmas

Teenage Dirtbag (String Quartet Version)

Wheatus - Just a Dirtbag Christmas EP

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