Recording a Christmas album is a rite of passage for many musicians when they reach a certain point in their careers. And, if they're lucky, their holiday project becomes a classic, largely associated with the Christmas season (think veteran musician Mariah Carey). The iconic Amy Grant is such an artist who's achieved this goal.
Amy's Christmas music has become a staple of annual playlists in both Christian and mainstream venues. Whether you're attending a Christmas party at church or buying gifts at a department store, you're bound to hear one of her holiday tunes. Amy has several Christmas albums to her name. One such album, Home for Christmas, turns 30 this year.
Home for Christmas was released at the height of her popularity after the success of her hit album, Heart in Motion. Likewise, Home for Christmas became Amy's most successful holiday project. As it turns 30 years old this holiday season, we take a look back.
Classic Covers
The most likely tunes you'll hear from Amy Grant on the radio will be her renditions of the Christmas classics. Her versions of "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree" and "It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" might not outpace plays for the originals, but they make their presence known on the radio everywhere in November and December. Amy doesn't reinvent most of the staples on this album. Instead, she infuses them with her signature sound of the time, painting them with a shiny coating of early 1990s pop goodness.
Iconic Signatures
Home for Christmas has contributed some of the best and most iconic originals or lesser-known Christmas classics Amy is known for. The most well-known is "Breath of Heaven." Co-written with frequent co-writer Chris Eaton, this Amy Grant original has become a Christmas standard unto itself.
Chris wrote the song's melody and its non-seasonal worshipful lyrics. But Amy changed the lyrics to take on the point-of-view of Mother Mary. "Breath of Heaven" has become popular over the years, particularly in Christian music circles. The haunting melody and powerful lyrics have made it appealing counter-programming to the often oversweet sentiments of the holiday.
"Grown-Up Christmas List" is another song that has become a classic. While Amy didn't write the song, save for an extra verse included in her rendition, it has become a popular choice for the holidays. The song's longing for a better world has connected with listeners from both faith-based and mainstream audiences.
"Emanuel, God With Us," another Grant/Eaton collaboration, offers a simpler yet catchy melody. Lesser known is "The Night Before Christmas," written by iconic musician Carly Simon. While it doesn't receive the seasonal airplay of many of the album's other cuts, its anthemic melody overflows with nostalgia and the wonder of childhood.
A little-known B-side on Home for Christmas is "Let The Season Take Wing." Offered on a Target store exclusive cassette (it was 1992, after all), the song is another original that screams 1990s pop goodness. While the song was included on the vinyl rerelease of her first three Christmas albums, it has never been available digitally. But, fans who have the special single locked away somewhere might be pleasantly surprised at how good the song is when they dust off their old tapes to play it. We should all petition Amy to rerelease the song, but this time on Apple Music and Spotify.
Christmas Legacy
Some artists release a Christmas song or two, or one full album, and then move on with their careers. Some catch on so well that their holiday output becomes a huge part of their fame as an artist (well-known Christian musician Marc Martel is a great example). Amy Grant has become one of the latter.
Artists, such as Marc Martel or Matthew West, regularly invite Amy to provide guest vocals on Christmas songs. Besides her several holiday compilations, Amy has released four full-length Christmas projects (five, if you count a 1980s duet album with music icon Art Garfunkel). Every year, her music is played on mainstream holiday radio stations along with industry giants like Mariah Carey.
While Amy's debut holiday album opened the door to Christmas music, her second album stands as her most well-known. With signature hits like "Breath of Heaven" or "Grown Up Christmas List," Home for Christmas is among the top tier of all yule-tide projects.
J.J. Francesco is a longtime contributor to the NRT Staff. He's published the novel 'Because of Austin' and regularly seeks new ways to engage faith, life, and community. His new Christmas novel, 'When Miracles Can Dream,' is out NOW!
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