With rural Jamaica still recovering from Hurricane Melissa, Christmas takes on extra meaning this year. Noddy Virtue, who is from St. Elizabeth parish — which suffered the most damage from the Category 5 storm — recorded ‘A Very Merry Christmas’ to mark the season. He co-produced the song with writer Paul “Patchie” Wright.
“My thoughts on Christmas is that it gives an opportunity to revisit spreading love, spending time with family, sharing and caring a spiritual connection with the Creator. Christmas is a time of not only giving to your loved ones, but giving to people in need,” said Noddy Virtue.
Residents of St. Elizabeth and other rural parishes including neighboring Westmoreland and Hanover, have been in need since Melissa struck Jamaica’s south-western region on October 28. It left thousands of people homeless, businesses and hospitals destroyed and 45 dead.
Noddy Virtue revealed that his father and sisters, who live in St. Elizabeth, escaped Melissa’s wrath. However, several of his relatives sustained damage to their homes.
Seeing the resilience of Jamaicans in the aftermath of Melissa, makes his first Christmas song even more special.
“I was inspired to create ‘A Very Merry Christmas’ as a result of a yearning in my heart. It felt like a calling to inspire people right across the globe to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas,” said Noddy Virtue.