John Lewis Christmas ad shows father and son bond over 90s club hit

John Lewis has unveiled its highly anticipated Christmas advert, featuring a teenager who gives his father a memory-filled 90s vinyl as a heartfelt gift.

For the first time, the retailer’s festive campaign focuses on a father-son relationship, showing the teen - headphones clamped to his ears - trying to reconnect with his dad through a beloved track from his youth.

Alison Limerick’s 1990s club classic Where Love Lives provides the soundtrack for the advert, with British artist Labrinth performing a new version of the hit.

Created by Saatchi & Saatchi, the ad shows the father tidying up wrapping paper before discovering an unopened gift marked “Dad” on a yellow sticky note with a smiley face.

When he unwraps the vinyl, he immediately plays it on his record player, and the scene cuts to him dancing in a 1990s club as flashbacks show moments of him with his son as a toddler and baby.

The advert ends with the pair back in their living room, sharing an awkward but affectionate hug and a laugh.

John Lewis brand director Rosie Hanley said: “This year’s John Lewis Christmas campaign is a celebration of connection, memory and the unspoken emotions that make the season truly magical.

“At John Lewis, we understand the power of a thoughtful gift, and we hope the ad will inspire our customers to find the gift that articulates their feelings, allowing the present itself to speak volumes where words may sometimes fall short.”

Franki Goodwin, chief creative officer at Saatchi & Saatchi, said: “Music is always the beating heart of the John Lewis campaign at Christmas but this year it’s the gift itself.

“The track threads through an integrated campaign that poignantly explores the power of a gift to communicate something we might not be able to put into words.

“A banger on many levels in many channels, I hope it inspires lots of thoughtful, expressive gifting and some family trawls through old playlists on Christmas Day too.”

Limerick said: “I squealed when I heard that Where Loves Lives would be in the advert – literally squealed like an excited child.

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“Music has always had the power to bring all kinds of peeps together, but I hope this year’s John Lewis Christmas advert will give those who see it a new, emotional connection with the song – especially with what Labrinth has created. His gentle version is just so beautiful, it’s sure to fill the heart with love.”

Labrinth said: “To think a boy like me from east London, Hackney, who grew up watching this iconic advert, would one day reimagine a classic and compose a piece of music for John Lewis’s forward-thinking direction is a big deal for me.

“This advert is embedded in British Christmas culture and I miss home, so I’m honoured to be a part of it.”

The vinyl will be sold exclusively through Rough Trade at John Lewis, with Limerick’s original version taking side A and Labrinth’s new version on the B side.

All profits from the £14.99 record will go to the John Lewis Partnership’s Building Happier Futures programme, which helps people who have grown up in care.

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