Hear Steve Perry's "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"

Steve Perry has added a melancholy twist to the classic holiday tune, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”.

“This has been a big year of firsts for me,” said Perry in a statement. “In keeping with that spirit, I thought I’d record a little Christmas card song and send it out to you to thank you for all of your kindness in welcoming me back. Have yourself a merry little Christmas. I hope you enjoy it.”

Hear the song in the video player below.

In October, the former Journey singer released Traces, his first solo album in over two decades.

“The truth is, that I thought music had run its course in my heart,” Perry explained of his absence. “I’d had an amazing time in an amazing band, and then the chance to express myself as a solo artist too. But I had to be honest with myself, and in my heart, I knew I just wasn’t feeling it anymore.”

“For a long time, I could barely even listen to music,” he continues. “My last show with Journey was in February of 1987. Then one day, it hit me that I couldn’t do this anymore. I felt as if I had to jump off this merry-go-round — this big beautiful mothership that we had all worked so hard together to build.”