Christmas That Lasts Forever: «Christmas Is Forever»
Artist and songwriter John Berge – originally from Kristiansund – works from his home studio in Hurum in Asker municipality outside Oslo. When recording his first Christmas song, he brought in five talented young singers from the Sætre Children’s Choir (Sætre barnekor).
Jenny, Marie, Samantha, Elsa and Alisa arrived on a November Sunday at JB Music Studio in Klokkarstua together with choir leader Knut Sandvik and conductor Kjersti Smestad, ready to record the final chorus for Christmas Is Forever.
This is a brand-new, original Christmas song, written, composed and sung by John Berge. The song is inspired by his childhood memories of his grandparents, Borghild and Ivar Storvik, on Bergsøya in Gjemnes municipality outside Kristiansund.
«I’ve always dreamed of creating a Christmas song — and I actually tried once before, many years ago. I revisited that idea this time, but ended up putting it aside and starting completely from scratch. The idea came to me as I was walking through the streets of Oslo, and I recorded it straight into my iPhone,» John explains.
«It was incredibly rewarding to find the chords and compose the song from that idea. I was, and am, so deeply fond of my grandparents, so — as the cliché goes — the song practically wrote itself. What I hope listeners take with them is the sense that deep, genuine feelings of family and love are timeless. They stay with us throughout life and mean everything — far more than things, possessions or gold,» John says.
And what would a Christmas song be without a children’s choir? John simply knew the song needed it. He contacted the nearest children’s choir, hoping they would help provide the beautiful final touch that only children’s voices can give. They quickly said yes, and studio time was booked at the first opportunity.
«An amazing experience,» John says about the recording session. «The girls had practiced well. It was my first time recording a choir. I struggle enough recording my own vocals, but this went great. They also recorded on another song that will be released later,» he adds.
To strengthen the personal connection to the community where he grew up, John also reached out to his childhood friend Asbjørn Olav Karlsvik, originally from Kvalvåg on Frei in Kristiansund municipality. While in upper secondary school, the two composed a song together, which will be released in 2026.
With this renewed collaboration in mind, John asked whether Asbjørn might also want to play guitar on the Christmas song. Asbjørn says:
«It was an honor for me to be invited to John’s music project, after decades as a hobby musician. For me it’s mind-blowing how music can be individually recorded and created from our home studios in Norway and merged professionally in the UK with the help of the internet and Teams. I’m looking forward to new projects, hopefully in the near future.»
Asbjørn adds: «Robbie and John managed to produce a neo-classical 80s pop Christmas hit in a contemporary frame, with all the ingredients a Christmas pop song requires.»
Producer Robbie Bronnimann, based in Bristol, England, has this to say after weeks of hard labour of love on the track:
«For me, this song is a really emotional and unexpected journey which veers away from the standard Christmas structure. Although it has all the joy of the festive season, it also carries a poignant message. I feel we really captured that mix of joy and sorrow in the production and in the very honest vocals.»
The single will be released 16.12.2025.
Links here.
