The Dogmatics Christmas Song

X’mas Time (It Sure Doesn’t Feel Like It)

Original 1984 Boston Classic Holiday Tune

Here’s our official music video for the late Paul O’Halloran’s 1984 classic song by the Dogmatics, “X’mas Time (It Sure Don’t Feel Like It)”.

We appreciate the positive response to the film and thank the folks who still come to see us play live and listen to our new recordings on Rum Bar Records. We are releasing this music video on the 20th of December 2025, in loving memory of Paul and the O’Halloran family parents, Anne and James.

It includes clips from the 2023 award-winning full-length documentary titled “The Dogmatics: A Dogumentary (They Were Boston’s House Band)” by director Rudy Childs.

It sure don’t feel like a X’mas movie, but it sorta is. The documentary makes for good holiday viewing thanks to its deep dive on the writing and recording of Paul O’Halloran’s iconic song. You can stream the full movie on YouTube and other ad-supported platforms.

Listen to this song and the Dogmatics full catalog of recordings on Bandcamp or your favorite streaming services.

Cover Versions by Other Bands

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones

Letters to Cleo

A Midnight Christmas Mess 1984 with the Dogmatics Xmas Time

X'mas Time (It Sure Doesn't Feel Like It)

The song "X'mas Time (It Sure Doesn't Feel Like It)" written by Paul + Peter O'Halloran and produced by Jonathan Paley, was featured on the "A Midnight Christmas Mess" 1984 Midnight Records fifteen song compilation.

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones recorded a cover of the song in 1997 for Mercury Records compilation "Home for the Holidays". Letters to Cleo also covered it - along with songs from Elvis & the Kinks - on their 2019 Dot Rat EP "OK Christmas".

Download the classic recording on Bandcamp, or listen to it on your favorite streaming platform.