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Christopher Butler, the Waitresses songwriter behind “Christmas Wrapping,” says Olivia Rodrigo contacted him before releasing her new single, “take me home (4 christmas).” He praised the song and described its resemblance to the 1981 hit as an homage, saying he heard no copied melody or chord progression. His comments are his assessment, not a legal ruling.
Christopher Butler, the songwriter and guitarist behind the Waitresses’ 1981 holiday hit “Christmas Wrapping,” says Olivia Rodrigo’s new single “take me home (4 christmas)” is an homage rather than a ripoff. Rodrigo released the track Nov. 5, prompting comparisons to the older song; Butler says she contacted him before its release and that he found no copied melody or chord progression.
In a Facebook post described by Stereogum, Butler said he initially doubted an email from someone claiming to be Rodrigo. After looking into her career, he replied positively and agreed to hear her Christmas song. He wrote that the track was “great” and predicted it could become a hit, while emphasizing that he was already a fan of her music.
Butler said Rodrigo later invited him and his partner, Beth, to meet at a Columbus concert. He described the meeting as a delight and said they bought their tickets despite being offered complimentary ones. After the single came out, he again praised it and wished Rodrigo success, while acknowledging that listeners could hear a shared upbeat “vibe” with “Christmas Wrapping.”
In subsequent comments, Butler argued that a general resemblance in feel does not establish copying. “Can’t copyright a ‘vibe’,” he wrote, adding that he heard no shared melody or chord progression that would support a claim. On YouTube, he similarly thanked listeners for making the comparison but said, “no plagiarism.” These are Butler’s views; the source report does not describe a formal legal determination about Rodrigo’s song.
A Songwriter Weighs In
Butler’s response is relevant because he wrote the older song at the center of the comparisons and says Rodrigo approached him before the release. His public support counters accusations circulating among listeners, but it does not settle every question about songwriting credit or copyright. The comments show a distinction between recognizing an influence or shared mood and alleging that protected musical material was copied.
For Rodrigo, the exchange also offers a public account of how she handled the resemblance: according to Butler, she reached out and met him. That account comes from Butler, not from a separate statement by Rodrigo in the supplied material. The single’s reception and any formal credit arrangements remain separate matters from his personal approval.
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How the Comparison Began
“Christmas Wrapping,” released by the New York new wave band the Waitresses in 1981, is the older holiday song listeners compared with Rodrigo’s new track. The source report says the comparison began immediately after “take me home (4 christmas)” was released. The shared upbeat holiday feel prompted discussion, but Butler said he could not identify copied melody or chord progression.
Butler also referred to his own ongoing copyright dispute involving a different alleged use of “Christmas Wrapping.” He said that case involves direct copying and that a similar “vibe” alone was too weak to include in a forensic musicologist’s written opinion. That separate dispute is not evidence of infringement by Rodrigo and should not be treated as a ruling on her song.
The report also notes that Rodrigo has a second holiday track, the melancholy “miss this christmas,” available at the time only on vinyl and cassette. Cynthia Nixon mentioned a possible Rodrigo Christmas album on “Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen,” but the source report cautions that she may have misspoken; it does not confirm an album announcement.
“Her song was/is great. It’s going to be a smash.”
— Christopher Butler, in a Facebook post
No Legal Finding Reported
The supplied report describes Butler’s opinion and listeners’ comparisons, but it does not report a lawsuit, an official copyright review, or a formal finding concerning Rodrigo’s song. Butler said he was highly confident that Rodrigo or her representatives had sought legal advice, but that was his speculation, not confirmation of a legal consultation.
It is also unclear from the material whether Rodrigo or her representatives will comment publicly, how the song’s official songwriting credits are listed, or whether the comparison will lead to any formal complaint. Butler’s reported reference to Taylor Swift and his criticism of Gwen Stefani concern other comments or songs and do not establish anything about Rodrigo’s track.
Release and Credits to Watch
The immediate next developments to watch are any response from Rodrigo or her representatives and the song’s published credit information. The source material does not identify a scheduled statement, legal proceeding, or further release tied to this dispute, so no specific next milestone has been confirmed.
Listeners can expect discussion to continue around how the two songs sound alike and what counts as musical borrowing. Unless a formal complaint or additional evidence emerges, Butler’s statements remain the clearest account in the report from the songwriter whose work prompted the comparison—not a court decision.
Key Questions
What is Olivia Rodrigo’s new Christmas song called?
It is called “take me home (4 christmas).” Rodrigo released it Nov. 5, according to the source report.
Who wrote “Christmas Wrapping”?
Christopher Butler, the Waitresses’ songwriter and guitarist, wrote the 1981 song.
Does Butler think Rodrigo copied the song?
No. Butler said the tracks share a “vibe,” but that he heard no copied melody or chord progression and did not consider Rodrigo’s song plagiarism.
Has a court ruled on the comparison?
The source report does not describe a lawsuit or legal ruling about Rodrigo’s song. Butler’s comments are his assessment, not a formal legal decision.
Did Rodrigo contact Butler before the song came out?
Butler said she emailed him about the song before its release and later met him and his partner after a Columbus concert. The account is based on Butler’s public posts.
Source: stereogum.com
