'Love the adaptation': Fans get nostalgic as Wheatus performs reworked classic 'Christmas Dirtbag' on 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Wheatus, the band behind the iconic 2000 hit 'Teenage Dirtbag,' recently delighted fans with a festive twist to their renowned song.

The group presented 'Christmas Dirtbag' from their holiday EP during a performance aired on 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert'. This stirred up feelings of nostalgia and holiday cheer across the Internet.

'Christmas Dirtbag' embraces festive themes and yuletide melodies

The reworked track carries the essence of the original while embracing a holiday spirit by substituting the lyrics, that once depicted teenage longing, with a Christmas-themed narrative.

The iconic chorus undergoes a yuletide transformation, transitioning from "I'm just a teenage dirtbag, baby" to "I'm just a Christmas dirtbag, baby".

This adaptation preserves the song's familiarity and essence while infusing it with a festive aura, encapsulating the sentiments of being overlooked by Santa during the holidays.

The accompanying music video, directed by Jaime Restrepo of Dreambear production studio, features Buddy the Wheatus Dog, a beloved member of the band.

'Christmas Dirtbag' video honors Wheatus' beloved companion

Brendan B Brown, the band's frontman, explained that the video was a tribute to their cherished Buddy, who passed away earlier in the year.

Brown mentioned how the lyrics in 'Christmas Dirtbag' were inspired by Buddy, reflecting a feeling of being forgotten during Christmas.

According to NME.com, talking about the video in a press release, frontman Brendan B Brown said: “I wanted to honour our beloved band dog Buddy, who left us this past summer, just before we started our UK & Irish tour. Gabrielle had written me into the lyric for 'Christmas Dirtbag' as a kid whom Santa had forgotten about.”

He continued: “Buddy always felt neglected when it came to treats, even though he got the MOST treats, so I thought,‘…Well, I’ll just have to become a dog who likes AC/DC for the video then’… and wrote the treatment replacing myself with Buddy.”

The heartfelt video portrays Buddy's quest for attention amidst the festive backdrop, capturing the essence of the band's connection to their furry companion and the holiday season.

Wheatus' creative twist to their classic hit not only embraces the festive cheer but also pays homage to their cherished band member.

Following the band's performance on Stephen Colbert's show, the Internet buzzed with nostalgia, with fans appreciating the band's sentimental adaptation.

The heartfelt rendition of 'Christmas Dirtbag' struck a chord, evoking memories and festive feelings among listeners.

Wheatus continues to captivate audiences with their timeless musical creativity, showcasing their ability to infuse cherished classics with a touch of holiday magic, resonating deeply with fans during the festive season.

Fans celebrate festive vibes

Enthusiastic responses flooded social media as fans praised Wheatus for their heartwarming rendition of 'Christmas Dirtbag.'

One user wrote, "Iconic!! This is going straight to my christmas playlist."

Another said, "My god, the memories. Well played, Wheatus. Well played!!! ️."

One commented, "This was an epic performance!"

A user gushed, "Love the adaptation, and your red pajamas!  Great fun!"

One added, "Definitely gives Christmas cheer! This should be on Santa's NICE list."

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