added that it was "too long and involved for a single, but nice all the same". Jim Whiteford of the Kilmarnock Standard described the song as a "mid-tempo number" which is "heavily but effectively produced to give a rich sound around the slightly muffled vocal lead" and added that "the Bible story is there if you listen". He concluded that the song was "very hummable" and could have top 40 potential. Allan Jones of Melody Maker wrote, "The Waterboys continue to wallow in a senseless melodrama. They expect the world to be too traumatic, are disappointed when their daily dramas don't match the sketches in their imagination: they exaggerate, and so they're unbelievable." Sunie of Number One considered "December" to be "a dispiriting little thing" and added, "The Waterboys have a singer who can't sing but clearly thinks he can. Their music is drippy modern rock, like U2 with the fire put out, and the song is an early bid for the religious Christmas hit." In 1984, U2 singer Bono included "December" in a list of his top ten records of 1983 for Rolling Stone. In a review of the mini-album edition of The Waterboys, Diana Valois of The Morning Call considered the song to be "about coming of age" and noted the "fat and flavorful guitar work". Parke Puterbaugh of Rolling Stone described "December" as a "longish song, more meditative though no less inquisitive, as Scott, like Van Morrison, goes looking for the proverbial lion in the soul". Formats Personnel December Mike Scott – vocals, rhythm guitar, lead guitar Rupert Hine, Steven Tayler – bass drum and cymbal programming The Three Day Man Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano, harmonica Anthony Thistlethwaite – saxophone Matthew Seligman – bass Preston Heyman – drums Red Army Blues Mike Scott – vocals, piano, guitar, bass Anthony Thistlethwaite – saxophone, mandolin Kevin Wilkinson – drums Ingrid Schroeder – vocals Production Mike Scott – producer of "December" and "Red Army Blues" Rupert Hine – additional production on "December" Jim Preen – engineer on "December" and "Red Army Blue" Steven Tayler – engineer on "December" Harry Parker – producer of "The Three Day Man" Richard Digby Smith – engineer on "Red Army Blue" Charts References The Waterboys songs 1983 songs 1983 singles Songs written by Mike Scott (musician) Song recordings produced by Rupert Hine Ensign Records singles