Fresh off the success of their Summer UK Soul Charts smash hit, Mama’s Kitchen Table, multi-Grammy nominated Ivan Hampden Jr. and Paulette McWilliams return with the lush tune, Pink Champagne, about heartache during the holidays.
“This song is dedicated to anyone experiencing a painful heartbreak during the holidays,” says singer and songwriter Paulette McWilliams.
Pink Champagne will be released on all streaming apps on Friday, October 28, 2022.
Breakups are hard. But the holidays seem to magnify the loneliness of heartache: parties with everyone coupled up, romantic Christmas music and movies, and those annual Christmas letters brimming with friends’ burgeoning families. The airwaves are filled with upbeat holiday classics leaving little room for sadness and contemplation.
“Blue Christmas is about the only holiday classic I know of that offers comfort to the lovelorn,” says Ivan Hampden Jr. “Now, people can listen to Pink Champagne and know they’re not alone too.”
Pink Champagne is a story of a woman’s journey from victim to victor at Christmastime. A mindset that Paulette believes can help someone with a broken heart find fulfillment.
“You can’t experience the joy of the holidays unless you let go of the painful emotions instead of holding them in,” she says. “I hope Pink Champagne helps people who are hurting be able to move on.”
Beautifully arranged and produced by multi-Grammy nominated Ivan Hampden Jr., who made a name for himself working for Luther Vandross, Ashford & Simpson, and Eartha Kitt. His previous Christmas hit, “Mistletoe Jam,” which appears on Luther Vandross’s platinum-certified “This Is Christmas” album, is a perennial favorite with fans.
Ivan Hampden Jr. is an American jazz and R&B drummer, composer, and record producer. Ivan Hampden Jr. is the Arranger/Musician/Programmer on two Grammy Award-winning recordings at the 2004 Grammy Awards: Best R&B Album “Dance With My Father” performed by Luther Vandross, and Best R&B Performance By A Duo or Group with Vocals “The Closer I Get to You” performed by Beyoncé and Luther Vandross.
Paulette McWilliams is an American singer and songwriter. She began her career singing with the bands The American Breed and Rufus and has appeared as a backing vocalist on recordings and tours for numerous artists. She worked with Marvin Gaye, Luther Vandross, Aretha Franklin, The Jacksons, Michael Jackson, and Quincy Jones as a member of Bette Midler’s backing group, the Harlettes, among many others.
Hopefully, the song helps others facing holiday heartbreaks to say, ”you were my cup of tea; now I drink Pink Champagne.”