# Chris Butler Endorses Olivia Rodrigo’s New Holiday Single The writer of 'Christmas Wrapping' praises Rodrigo for capturing the song's iconic spirit. - **Source:** [Variety – Music](https://variety.com/v/music) - **Published:** 2026-11-06 - **Topic:** [entertainment](https://brifing.si/c/entertainment) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/31452634-15df-4c85-9b1c-31e471019d16 ## A New Holiday Anthem Olivia Rodrigo released her first holiday single, Take Me Home (4 Christmas), late Thursday night. The track is described as a Christmas rock banger, a style rarely heard in modern pop music. Fans and critics immediately noted a spiritual lineage between this new song and the classic 1981 hit Christmas Wrapping. ## Butler Defends Originality Chris Butler, who wrote the Waitresses' Christmas Wrapping, publicly endorsed Rodrigo's new track on Facebook. Addressing online critics who alleged plagiarism, Butler clarified that while the vibe is similar, there is no compositional theft. He explicitly stated he is a fan of Rodrigo and wished her monster success with the song. ## Secret Early Collaboration The connection began two months ago when Rodrigo emailed Butler to share her new song. Initially skeptical, the 77-year-old songwriter performed a deep dive into Rodrigo's career before responding. He praised her for demanding recognition as a songwriter, her band composition, and her smart decision to retain ownership of her master recordings. ## Meeting in Columbus Following their initial email exchange, Rodrigo invited Butler and his partner to her Daisy Chain Festival in Los Angeles. Although they could not attend due to short notice, they later met Rodrigo in person after her concert in Columbus. Butler described the encounter as a delight after watching her perform live. ## Legacy of Christmas Wrapping Written solely by Butler, Christmas Wrapping was a standout track from the new wave era featuring frontwoman Patty Donahue. While it started as a cult song 45 years ago, it has evolved into a holiday standard. It now competes in popularity with major hits like Wham!'s Last Christmas on seasonal playlists worldwide. ## The Waitresses' History The Waitresses gained fame with their hit I Know What Boys Like and the theme song for the television show Square Pegs. The group eventually disbanded in the late 1980s. Tragically, lead singer Patty Donahue passed away from lung cancer in 1996, leaving Butler as the primary steward of their musical legacy. ## Potential Chart Success Butler expressed optimism that Rodrigo's new single could become a massive hit. He specifically mentioned the potential for the song to compete in the highly contested UK Christmas number one race. His public support serves as a rare passing of the torch between a new wave legend and a contemporary pop star. ## Artistic Mutual Respect The interaction highlights a genuine bridge between generations of songwriters. Butler’s praise for Rodrigo’s intense, real, and poetic lyrics underscores his appreciation for her craft. By publicly backing the track, he has effectively silenced critics and cemented the song's status as a respectful homage to the spirit of 1980s rock. ## Sources covering this story - https://variety.com/2026/music/news/olivia-rodrigo-christmas-praised-writer-waitresses-wrapping-1236941752/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._