This certainly seemed like an odd choice to use in a Christmas commercial, but JC Penney does get your attention with it. While it may sound like he is saying “It’s a Giving Thing” the lyrics are:
It’s like magic
Rollin’ and ridin’ and slippin’ & slidin’
It’s magic
And you, and your sweet desire,
You took me, higher and higher Baby
It’s a livin’ thing,
It’s a terrible thing to lose
It’s a given thing
What a terrible thing to lose.
Oh, who else could singing this song?
It HAS to be ELO, the Electric Light Orchestra!
The song “Livin’ Thing” 
was released in 1976 on the ELO album “A New World Record.”
You may also recall Volkswagon used E.L.O.’s “Mr. Blue Sky” in their 2003 Beetle commercials.
ELO founder Jeff Lynne has also worked with The Traveling Wilburys and The Beatles. My favorite ELO album was “Time” which came out in 1981.
Great song, but after reading the lyrics, it is hard to picture it as a Chrstmas tune. My guess is the Ad Executives loved the line “It’s like magic” and went forward. Oh, for a laugh, check out these “Misheard Lyrics” from ELO songs.
Anyhow, now you know!
Thank you so much…I knew I knew the song from my father’s GREAT music taste. I could have sworn it was “living” not “giving”…I was right. But I was stuck on the Travelling Wilburys as the artist…now I know why!!
wow,i’m an idiot! i heard that ad on thanksgiving and thought it was rufus wainwright.a few decades off!
wow,i’m an idiot! i heard that ad on thanksgiving and thought it was rufus wainwright.a few decades off!
wow,i’m an idiot! i heard that ad on thanksgiving and thought it was rufus wainwright.a few decades off!
The new JC Penney commercial for 2007.
It’s Christmas time
You’re all that I wanted
are the only 2 lines that I caught.