What is the song and who is the singer in the new John Lewis Christmas advert 2022?


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John Lewis has released its latest annual Christmas advert that features a cover of a familiar 1990s pop-punk anthem.

This year's Christmas offering from the retailer stars a middle-aged man painfully learning to master the skateboard as he awaits the arrival of a young teenager his family is taking into foster care.

The advert's touching final scene reveals the man's perseverance in learning the new skill as a social worker arrives at his door with Ellie, who has arrived at her new home carrying her skateboard.

What is the song in the John Lewis advert?

The new John Lewis advertisement features a cover version of a 1999 well-known pop-punk anthem by Blink 182.

Entitled The Beginner, the advertisement is set to a cover of the band's All the Small Things.

California rock group Blink 182 were one of the biggest bands of the late 1990s and early noughties, and were known for their energetic guitar-driven songs and humorous lyrics.

Who sings the John Lewis song?

US artist Mike Geier was chosen to provide the soundtrack to this year’s John Lewis Christmas advert.

Despite his Pennsylvanian roots, Geier lives in Atlanta, Georgia, and garnered international fame through his most critically acclaimed act: a Pagliacci-type clown alter ego named Puddles Pity Party.

Standing 6ft 8 inches (2 metres) tall, the 58-year-old is known for his irreverent, melancholy style of performing, often mixing comedy, mime and audience participation with his baritone song covers.

In 1998 he founded a clown-based band with several other Atlanta-based musicians, though the project later disbanded, paving the way for his “Pity Party”.

US artist Mike Geier was chosen to provide the soundtrack to this year’s John Lewis Christmas advert. Getty Images
US artist Mike Geier was chosen to provide the soundtrack to this year’s John Lewis Christmas advert. Getty Images

Geier is known to refer to his alter-ego in the third person, and while performing as Puddles will refer to himself as Mike, also in the third person.

He shot to fame in 2013 after recording a cover of Royals by New Zealand artist Lorde, with Postmodern Jukebox.

As of October 2022, the clip has been viewed more than 32 million times, with Lorde reportedly citing it as her favourite cover of the song.

Since the release of the video he has toured internationally, and in 2017 participated in the 12th series of America’s Got Talent, in which he advanced to the quarter-finals.

In January 2019 Geier, as Puddles, began a headline act residency at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada.

John Lewis Christmas adverts through the years

The John Lewis Christmas adverts are a highly anticipated staple of the festive season in Britain, and have become synonymous with the imaginative use of music.

In 2013, Lily Allen’s cover of Keane’s Somewhere Only We Know accompanied an animated tale of friendship between a bear and a hare until the bear departs to hibernate when snow starts to fall.

The 2014 Norwegian artist Aurora provided the soundtrack with a cover of Half The World Away by Manchester band Oasis. The tear-jerker advertisement shows a young girl who spots a lonely old man on the moon and decides to send him a telescope to give him a connection to Earth.

In 2021, space traveller Skye crash lands near the home of 14-year-old Nathan, who introduces her to the traditions of eating mince pies, decorating the tree and, to her slight confusion, wearing novelty jumpers.

The soundtrack was provided by 20-year-old London singer and songwriter Lola Young, who performs a cover of Together In Electric Dreams, originally released by Philip Oakey and Giorgio Moroder in 1984.

The lowdown

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Rating: 2.5/5

Produced by: Red Chillies, Azure Entertainment 

Director: Sujoy Ghosh

Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Taapsee Pannu, Amrita Singh, Tony Luke

GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

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The specs: Macan Turbo

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Touring range: 591km
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On sale: Deliveries start in October

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Five expert hiking tips
    Always check the weather forecast before setting off Make sure you have plenty of water Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon Wear appropriate clothing and footwear Take your litter home with you

Know your camel milk:
Flavour: Similar to goat’s milk, although less pungent. Vaguely sweet with a subtle, salty aftertaste.
Texture: Smooth and creamy, with a slightly thinner consistency than cow’s milk.
Use it: In your morning coffee, to add flavour to homemade ice cream and milk-heavy desserts, smoothies, spiced camel-milk hot chocolate.
Goes well with: chocolate and caramel, saffron, cardamom and cloves. Also works well with honey and dates.

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Company/date started: 2015

Founder/CEO: Mohammed Toraif

Based: Manama, Bahrain

Sector: Sales, Technology, Conservation

Size: (employees/revenue) 4/ 5,000 downloads

Stage: 1 ($100,000)

Investors: Two first-round investors including, 500 Startups, Fawaz Al Gosaibi Holding (Saudi Arabia)

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WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?

1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull

2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight

3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge

4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own

5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The finalists

Player of the Century, 2001-2020: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Ronaldinho

Coach of the Century, 2001-2020: Pep Guardiola (Manchester City), Jose Mourinho (Tottenham Hotspur), Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid), Sir Alex Ferguson

Club of the Century, 2001-2020: Al Ahly (Egypt), Bayern Munich (Germany), Barcelona (Spain), Real Madrid (Spain)

Player of the Year: Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)

Club of the Year: Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Real Madrid

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Agent of the Century, 2001-2020: Giovanni Branchini, Jorge Mendes, Mino Raiola

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Favourite place to go to in the UAE: The desert sand dunes, just after some rain

Who inspires you: Anybody with new and smart ideas, challenging questions, an open mind and a positive attitude

Where would you like to retire: Most probably in my home country, Hungary, but with frequent returns to the UAE

Favorite book: A book by Transilvanian author, Albert Wass, entitled ‘Sword and Reap’ (Kard es Kasza) - not really known internationally

Favourite subjects in school: Mathematics and science

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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbo flat-six

Power: 480hp at 6,500rpm

Torque: 570Nm from 2,300-5,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto

Fuel consumption: 10.4L/100km

Price: from Dh547,600

On sale: now 

Updated: November 10, 2022, 11:18 AM`