Steven Wilson - December Skies

Challenged by a friend last week on why I’d never done a Christmas song, I protested it wasn't really me, and besides I didn’t think I had it in me to write suitably Christmassy lyrics. "No problem”, he said, "we’ll get ChatGPT to do it for you!", upon which he instructed the AI to generate Christmas lyrics in the style of Steven Wilson. Which it proceeded to do so. By the yard, in fact, I was shocked at how instantaneous and easy it was to guide it ("don’t actually mention Christmas" we said to it, "make it feel more lonely”…etc)

I’m still not entirely sure what I think about AI, the knee-jerk reaction is to consider it a threat to a musician like me, but it’s clearly not going away, so this is my experiment to try embracing it and using it as a tool in the creative process. And of course also to have some fun doing something I would never normally have thought about doing, the archetypal seasonal song. December Skies is the result, swiftly recorded last weekend and written in collaboration with an Artificial Intelligence version of myself. I wonder what people will make of it. I wonder what I make of it.

In keeping with the artificial intelligence theme, the visualiser for December Skies has also been generated using a purpose built AI system created by Miles Skarin. The video is based on imagery drawn from some of my previous videos then placed into 2D and 3D backdrops.

Music by Steven Wilson, guitar solo and backing vocals by Randy McStine.

December Skies (lyrics by ChatGPT).

In the hush of a long winter’s dream
Through a window the candlelight gleams
Veiled in whispers the stillness of night
On a canvas of stars in the sky

All the world sleeps on in silence
Wrapped in a blanket of snow
But when the morning awakens
The beauty of life starts to flow

December skies will carry me home

In the forest where moonlight it shines
The grip of the frost on the pines
Then the air weaves the warmth of a song
Still the heartbeat of winter goes on

[chrisbenson]

There would be no 'in the style of Steven Wilson' without YOU. For that, I am truly grateful. Kids are grown. Parents gone. Friends are few. It's lovely to receive this gift. Thank you.

[ChristianBeck]

Steven Wilson releasing a Christmas song with lyrics written by ChatGPT 'in the style of Steven Wilson' is perhaps the most Steven Wilson thing imaginable.

[kuchicho]

When i was a kid, i lived a lot of hard things that made me fall into depression, and all that bad stuff was smoothed by your songs. Now, as a full grown man, I heard this song and then I realise I was dancing with my little daughter. It felt strange to crying with a lyric made by an AI but that's wasn't really the cause: i was crying because I was sharing a beautyful moment with her and remembering all the stuff that I was passing throw back then. Your songs were a way to overcome all the bad things in my life and now she knows that you exist and, perhaps in a future (she is a little girl right now) we will listen your work together. Thank you, Steve, for been there with your music in every period of my life, now I can dance with my daughter and celebrate it. perhaps I'm getting old and a little sentimental, but the beauty of life start to flow to me right now, at last.

[Ledones]

Steven Wilson 2009: Breaking iPods
Steven Wilson 2023: Using AI

[apocbodhimusic]

Wouldn't it be hilarious if this becomes Steven's biggest hit! 😂

[positivelastaction]

That was much better than I thought it would be. It's actually a gorgeous track.

[inhabitantofgotoisland]

I'm not going to discuss the lyrics but I love how the music feels like as if "Where We Would Be" was a Christmas song.

[EliasH-video]

Very Backfield sound, if nothing else a very very interesting experiment

[Uborpriest]

Bro we in February and I haven't been able to stop listening to this. We still get snow where I'm from, so hopefully it's appropriate, but still.

[Morgans_Miles]

I wanted to hate this but it’s bloody great.
Randy’s slide guitar on this is fantastic.
Nice one, Steven!
(And I say this as a grumpy old bugger who doesn’t like Xmas songs normally)

[DJPsRock]

Well done for rising to the challenge. After one listen I definitely like it. A nice Christmas present. Thank you.

[rachelcartwright]

I am trying to not find it to be the best Xmas song ever. Because this is an absolute masterpiece. I am flummoxed. Brilliant job Steven!

[stevieg]

Steven Wilson's music is an absolute masterpiece! This video perfectly captures the essence of his unique sound and creative vision. The way he blends progressive rock with intricate lyrics always leaves me in awe. Wilson's attention to detail in both the music and visuals is unparalleled. It's incredible how he can take you on a journey with his music. Another brilliant piece from a true musical genius!
(I asked ChatGPT to write me a comment to put under a Steven Wilson youtube video)

[paulsadler]

Steven never fails to amaze. It would be quite ironic after all of the masterpieces he's created over the years, that this beautiful little ditty was the one. 😊
Steven Wilson, "the most famous person that nobody has ever heard of""

[wernerdanler]

Wow, Steven, that's beautiful! You're the best. ❤
Merry Christmas.😊😊

[markharkin]

Beautiful song my wife lost her nephew early November he was only 18 I played her this and she cried and gave me goosebumps if a song no matter what kind of song it is can do that then it’s got to be special should be no 1

[DaveStubbs-bqkg]

This is wonderful!!!! As the Grinch would say… “ I’m feeling warm and toasty inside “ !!
Seriously- this is a beautiful Christmas song. Thank you Steven & Randy!🎄

[ElectRocnicOfficial]

I love your approach and attitude to Life and many things :)

[johnleidorf]

Merry Christmas everyone. Thank you Steven. Your music touches us all.

[levbuava]

this man wont stop. absolutely happy to live in steven wilson's era. thank you, mr. Steven Wilson for being a human.