It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas, written by Robert Meredith Willson, dates back to 1951 and was apparently written while the composer was staying at the Grand Hotel in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. While there is no evidence to support this claim, at least that's what the rumor circulating at that time suggests…
Benjamin Hanby, son of an Ohio minister, claimed to be the composer of this Christmas carol, Up on the Housetop, which was written in 1864. Although he lived only thirty-four years, this author, who died of tuberculosis, left behind a compilation of eighty songs. According to Reader's Digest Merry…
Inspired by a sweltering hot day, Jule Styne composed a tune in July 1945 to accompany a love song that would later become a popular Christmas carol. Indeed, although Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow, often shortened to just three words, Let It…
A popular Christmas song written in 1942 by American composer and lyricist Irving Berlin, Happy Holiday is now a classic of the holiday season. Popularized by the late Bing Crosby, it made its first appearance in the film Holiday Inn, released that same year. Although…
The origins of this traditional Christmas carol, The First Noel, seem somewhat mysterious, and it is difficult to establish the precise year in which it was composed. However, it is believed that it could date back to the 18th century, or even earlier, although history cannot officially prove this. However, in 1823, the words of…
This old Christmas carol, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, is said to date back to the 18th century, although the exact year it was composed is unknown. However, it is known that the melody was published by a man named William B. Sandys in 1833, although he was not the author. As proof,…
The roots of this Christian Christmas carol, Joy to the World, go back as far as 1719. Isaac Watts was the author, and to write the lyrics, he was inspired by an English hymn, taken from Psalm 98 in the Bible. However, if we go back to that very distant era, the carols…
Having become a very popular Christmas carol among children, Frosty the Snowman follows Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, another song inspired by a character. These two hits also have a few other points in common since they were originally written by the same co-writers, Walter Jack Rollins and Steve Nelson….
There are a great many Christmas stories, and some less famous ones are truly worth discovering. Among this countless list, some are among the most popular, and therefore among the most beautiful Christmas stories of all time. At the top of the list is Charles Dickens's A…
Michel Legrand's latest album, "Noël, Noël, Noël!!", a Barclay label featuring the most beautiful holiday songs and bringing together a selection of prestigious names, will be released on November 21st. For the occasion, renowned artists including Rufus Wainwright, Mika, Iggy Pop, Emilie Simon, Olivia Ruiz, Matthieu Chedid, Cœur de Pirate, Ayo,…
Although it is associated with Christmas and is not played strictly during the holiday season, the song called Home for the Holidays, whose title is often preceded by "There's No Place Like," refers more to Thanksgiving. This holiday is particularly celebrated in the United States, where it has a…
Edmund Sears, pastor of the Unitarium Church, claims to be the author of this old Christmas carol, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear. The lyrics, composed in 1849, in both poem and song form, are said to have originated from one or two melodies, although the true authorship is unknown. However, we do know...
It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year was composed in 1963 by Edward Pola, composer, actor, and television producer, and George Wyle, conductor and composer. The latter is well known for having written the theme song for the popular 1960s series, Gilligan's Island. The lyrics of the song…
While the first hymns were sung to pay homage to the Nativity, over time they became popular songs passed down by word of mouth. A little history... The oldest Christmas carol in French dates back to the beginning of the 16th century. It is the hymn "Between the Ox and the Gray Donkey"...
After a year enriched by 90 concerts including a tour of shows in Canada, two cruises, a karaoke CD and the “Coups de Cœur” which attract a high-end audience, Alain Morisod and Sweet People have concocted two shows for Christmas entitled “Christmas Concert”, between tradition and renewal, to delight their fans…
This year, Celine Dion dedicates this Christmas video to all internet users. Here is the accompanying message: "A special prayer for a very happy Christmas for you. To my family, my friends, my coworkers, and all my loved ones, for a Christmas of happiness, love, and peace."
Composed by the Reverend John Henry Hopkins Jr., "Wee Three Kings" is of Christian origin and refers to the Three Wise Men who came to offer their gifts to the baby Jesus on Christmas Day. Possibly dating from 1857, there is very little information about this ancient Christmas carol, like all…
Although Greensleeves was not originally a Christmas carol, it has since been revived and renamed What Child is This. According to history, it first appeared in manuscript form, written in honor of a lady with green sleeves named Anne Boleyn. Its title is said to come from…
