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Olivia Rodrigo released “take me home (4 christmas),” prompting comparisons with the Waitresses’ 1981 song “Christmas Wrapping.” Christopher Butler, who wrote the Waitresses song, said Rodrigo contacted him before the release and described her track as a welcome homage, not plagiarism.
Christopher Butler, songwriter of the Waitresses’ 1981 holiday hit “Christmas Wrapping,” says Olivia Rodrigo contacted him before releasing her new Christmas single, “take me home (4 christmas)”. After listeners compared the songs, Butler called Rodrigo’s track an homage rather than plagiarism and said he welcomed the resemblance.
Rodrigo released “take me home (4 christmas)” on Nov. 5, according to the source report. Its upbeat feel quickly drew comparisons to “Christmas Wrapping,” the 1981 song by the Waitresses, whose songwriter and guitarist is Butler. The report identifies the new track as Rodrigo’s first Christmas song.
Butler said in a Facebook post that he received an email about two months before the release from someone claiming to be Rodrigo. He said he initially suspected it was fake, then checked her work and replied. According to Butler, Rodrigo said she had written a Christmas song and invited him to hear it. He later described the song as “great” and said he expected it to do well.
Butler said he and his wife, Beth, met Rodrigo after a Columbus concert the previous week, following contact from someone at her label. He also posted that he was a fan of her music and praised her for reaching out. On Friday, he shared a BBC article about the comparisons and wrote that Rodrigo had “done the right thing,” according to the report.
Why Butler Welcomed the Comparison
The songwriter’s response gives readers a direct account from the creator of “Christmas Wrapping” amid online accusations that Rodrigo copied the older song. Butler is not just a listener offering an impression: he wrote the track being cited in the comparisons, and he says he had contact with Rodrigo before her single came out.
His comments do not settle every legal or musicological question, but they distinguish his view from the allegations circulating online. Butler said he could hear a shared “vibe,” while arguing that similarity in mood alone did not establish copying. His public support may also affect how fans discuss the songs, though it does not establish whether any formal credit or legal review took place.
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How the Songs Became Linked
“Christmas Wrapping” was released by the Waitresses in 1981 and became a familiar seasonal song. Rodrigo’s new single prompted comparisons soon after its Nov. 5 release, based on what the source report describes as a similar upbeat feel. A resemblance in sound or mood is not by itself evidence of infringement.
In his Facebook comments, Butler said he could not claim a general “vibe” and said Rodrigo’s song did not copy the older track’s melody or chord progression. He contrasted it with Gwen Stefani’s “Shake The Snow Globe,” which he alleged contained “provable cribs.” That is Butler’s characterization; the source material does not provide an independent legal finding about either song.
The report also notes that Rodrigo has a vinyl- and cassette-only B-side, “miss this christmas.” It says an appearance by Cynthia Nixon on “Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen” included mention of a possible Christmas album, but suggests Nixon may have misspoken. The available material does not confirm that Rodrigo plans a full holiday album.
““I think it’s a fantastic bangersmash, and if it has the same upbeat vibe as ‘CW’, well…how cool is that?””
— Christopher Butler, in a Facebook post
No Legal Finding Reported
The source material reports Butler’s opinion, not a court decision or independent legal assessment. It does not establish whether Rodrigo or her representatives sought legal advice, whether any formal agreement or songwriting credit was discussed, or whether the two artists have made further statements. Butler said he was “highly certain” legal counsel had reviewed the song, but presented that as his belief rather than confirmed information.
It is also unclear what specific musical elements prompted each listener’s comparison. The report does not include a formal side-by-side analysis, and Butler’s description of the tracks as sharing a vibe remains a personal assessment. The source material mentions an ongoing infringement case involving “Christmas Wrapping,” but gives no details that would allow comparison with this release.
Whether the Discussion Continues
The source material reports no announced legal action or further response from Rodrigo, her label, or Butler. For now, the development is Butler’s public support for the song and his explanation of why he does not regard the resemblance as plagiarism. Any later statement about credit, licensing, or legal review would clarify matters that remain unconfirmed.
Listeners may continue comparing the tracks, but the available reporting supports a narrower conclusion: Butler heard similarities, welcomed them, and publicly defended Rodrigo. No formal finding about infringement is reported.
Key Questions
What is Olivia Rodrigo’s new Christmas song?
Rodrigo released “take me home (4 christmas)” on Nov. 5. The source report describes it as her first Christmas song.
Why are listeners comparing it with “Christmas Wrapping”?
The songs were compared after Rodrigo’s release because of a perceived similar upbeat feel. The source material does not provide an independent musical analysis establishing specific copied elements.
What did Christopher Butler say about the resemblance?
Butler, who wrote “Christmas Wrapping,” said the tracks share a vibe but that Rodrigo’s song does not copy the older song’s melody or chord progression. He called the comparison an homage and said he was a fan of Rodrigo.
Has a court ruled on whether Rodrigo copied the song?
No court ruling is reported in the source material. Butler’s comments are his own assessment, not a formal legal decision.
Is Rodrigo releasing a Christmas album?
The source material does not confirm a Christmas album. It mentions a separate track, “miss this christmas,” available only on vinyl and cassette, and says a TV guest may have misspoken about an album.
Source: stereogum.com
