THE GREATEST GIFT

Who sings the Sainsbury’s Christmas advert 2016? James Corden could be festive No1 with surprise hit

Michelle Higgins

Published: 16:13, 14 Nov 2016
Updated: 9:55, 22 Nov 2016

SAINSBURY'S looks set to win the battle of the Christmas adverts with its 2016 offering, featuring stop-frame animation and a catchy original song performed by an unexpected singer.

The supermarket chain could even have a Christmas No1 on its hands, with the tune available to stream on Spotify — and now, due to popular demand, on iTunes for 99p, with 100 per cent of Sainsbury’s profits from the track's sales being donated to Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity.

What's the song called, and who sings it?

The song is called The Greatest Gift, and it's sung by British comedian James Corden.

Hollywood Film Awards 2016 — James Corden lends vocals to the festive adCredit: Splash News

The former Gavin and Stacey star is known for the popular Carpool Karaoke segment on his US talk show, which sees him belt out hits with the likes of Mariah Carey and Taylor Swift.

It looks like all the singing practice has paid off.

Who wrote the song, and what's it about?

NINTCHDBPICT000282036355 — The advert stars a frazzled dad of two named DaveCredit: Sainsbury's

The song was written by Flight of the Conchords star Bret McKenzie, who won an Oscar in 2012 for Best Original Song for Man or Muppet, from Disney's The Muppets.

The lyrics are written from the perspective of dad-of-two Dave, who works at a toy factory.

NINTCHDBPICT000282036194 — Dave has too much to do before Christmas, and not enough time to see his familyCredit: Sainsbury's

NINTCHDBPICT000282036353 — He agonises over the perfect presents for his loved onesCredit: Sainsbury's

As Christmas approaches, Dave is overwhelmed by work, commuting and his mounting to-do list — and he's so busy he misses his children's bedtime.

One night he comes home to find a gingerbread man that looks like him.

Inspired, he rushes back to the toy factory, where he makes a series of toy versions of himself to take over his work and chores so he can spend time with his loved ones.

NINTCHDBPICT000282160034 — Eventually Dave realises the greatest gift he can give is himselfCredit: Sainsbury's

NINTCHDBPICT000005381714 — The song was written by Bret McKenzie, who won Best Original Song at the 2012 Oscars for his Muppets hit, Man or MuppetCredit: Getty Images - FilmMagic

Comedian and musician Bret, who has two kids with his wife Hannah Clarke, said of the plot: "If I had a clone, so I wasn't alone, I'd definitely spend time with my family."

The Greatest Gift — full lyrics

Another year over, where do they go to, it's a mystery
Now it's December, so much to remember before Christmas Eve
I'm already late, and my train is delayed, disruption on the line
I race into work and the place is berserk, yes it's Christmas time
I wanna find the greatest gift I can give my family
But right now I don't have time to breathe
The streets are chaotic, the shops idiotic, there's a queue for the queue
A granny's taking her time at the front of the line ('Ninety-one... ninety-two...')
There's a party at work and the manager's twerking inappropriately
To top off the day, another train is delayed, it's a catastrophe
Christmas time is here, I'd like to spend the time with the ones I love so dear
I'm trying to find the greatest gift I can give my family
I don't have time, there's only one of me
Tell me how do people do it all, I'll never get it done
If only there was a way to be in two places at once...
Wait... that gives me an idea!
If I wasn't alone, what if I had a clone, I could do so much more
It would all be a breeze, with a couple more mes, I'd have time galore
I wanna find the greatest gift I can give my family
The greatest gift I can give is me
Now I can meet with the boss and empty out my inbox all simultaneously
Leaving me time to spend with my family and friends, where I wanna be
I wanna find the greatest gift I can give my family
The greatest gift that I can give is me
I wanna find the greatest gift I can give my family
The greatest gift that I can give is me
I wanna find the greatest gift I can give my family
The greatest gift that I can give
The greatest gift that I can give
The greatest gift that I can give is me

Who else was involved in making the ad?

The advert was directed by Chris Fell, who was behind BAFTA-nominated Flushed Away.

The laser-printed puppets were created by Manchester-based company Mackinnon and Saunders, who also made the puppets for 2009 film Fantastic Mr Fox.

NINTCHDBPICT000282160137 — The set for the ad took 16 weeks to buildCredit: Sainsbury's

How long did it take to make the ad?

The set took 16 weeks to build, and the three-minute 20-second film took 420 hours to shoot, plus eight weeks of post-production.

NINTCHDBPICT000282160053 — It took 420 hours to shoot the filmCredit: Sainsbury's

Will proceeds from the campaign go to charity?

Sainsbury's are selling £1 gingerbread Daves and £5 Greatest Gift film animation kits, with all profits going to the Great Ormond Street Hospital's charity.

The funds will help families pay for accommodation close to the hospital.

NINTCHDBPICT000282036176 — Proceeds from £1 gingerbread Daves will go toward the Great Ormond Street Hospital's charityCredit: Sainsbury's

Customers can also make a 20p donation at checkouts from November 21.

The charity's chief executive Tim Johnson said: "At Christmas, time spent with the people you love is precious. For the families of patients at Great Ormond Street Hospital who are unable to go home at Christmas, this is particularly true.

"More than half of the patients at Great Ormond Street Hospital live outside of London, and many are hours away from home."