Christmas carols and hymns are one aspect of the holiday season that never fails to lift the spirits and they require no baking, no tree stands, and no extension cords. There is a large body of well-known Christmas songs that are perennial favorites and there are many more that are new to many people every year. Clay Aiken has introduced many lesser-known, but wonderful Christmas carols and songs to his fans throughout the last 6 years.
Did you know……..
1. There is a distinction between a Christmas carol and a Christmas song. A Christmas Carol has a fairly rapid, regular beat, which would, therefore, exclude a meandering, crooning song such as “White Christmas”. Christmas carols can often be sung by a choir, but this is not the case for pop music.
2. The world’s most famous Christmas carol is “Silent Night”.
3. “Jingle Bells” was originally named, “One-Horse Open Sleigh”, and was written for Thanksgiving, not for Christmas.
4. Charles Dickens’s story, “A Christmas Carol”, is the world’s most read Christmas story.
5. In 2003, the Austrian Trade Union Federation, representing 100,000 workers, claimed that the non-stop playing of Christmas carols in shopping malls was “psychological terror”.
“The Christmas Waltz” is a modern Christmas song. The lyrics are by Sammy Cahn and the music is by Jule Styne. It is a good example of a modern secular Christmas song. This song describes the wonderful joy of the season without necessarily being religious. “The Christmas Waltz” has been reprised by many singers including Frank Sinatra and the Carpenters. Clay Aiken recorded this song on his EP, All Is Well.
The Christmas Waltz
Frosted window panes
Candles gleaming inside
Painted candy canes on the tree
Santa’s on his way,
He’s filled his sleigh
With things, things for you and for me
It’s that time of year
When the world falls in love
Every song you hear
Seems to say
Merry Christmas
May your New Year dreams come true
And this song of mine
In three quarter time
Wishes you and yours
The same thing too
Merry Christmas
May your New Year dreams come true
And this song of mine
In three quarter time
Wishes you and yours
The same thing too
Merry Christmas to you
On December 1st, 2006, Clay visited Waukegan, Illinois. The “Christmas Waltz” was a great start of the evening.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtycKwPoBMc
Interesting….I didn't know the difference between a Christmas carol and a Christmas song… I believe I called them all Christmas carols….But it does make sense…very interesting….
But for me…doesn't matter what it is…as long as Clay Aiken is singing Christmas music……whether it be a song or carol….he brings new light to every song….Clay is the only one that I love to hear sing at this time of year…so as I am keying this message…I'm listening to "O Come O Come Emmanuel"… I love it……
Hugs,
Judy
I love watching him perform this song. It reminds me of the classic performers my parents use to love to take me to see when I was little. Clay Aiken is timeless and talented beyond measure. I wish he were more appreciated for the charm and pure talen that he truly is!
Thanks for all this info! I always thought carol was just another word for song until now. Thanks for "The Christmas Waltz" with words to follow Clay as he sings! He looks and sounds adorable in this video! Appreciate your work and sharing this with us!
Man………I am learning a lot!! Who knew???
Christmas Waltz is a fun song and its just makes you happy……..especially when CLay Aiken sings it!!
Thanks for the video and info!
Very interesting read. I've heard several versions of "The Christmas Waltz" and Clay's is by far and away my favorite. I think the song was made to be uptempo like he does it.
Oh, my, Clay sure got an enthusiastic response from his audience. I love how he sings "Christmas Waltz" it does remind me of the older Christmas songs out there. Very interesting article. I think I always just called them all Christmas songs. But, if you went door to door, then I called it Christmas Caroling.
I was first introduced to the "Christmas Waltz" by the Carpenters and it instantly became a favorite of mine. Now Clay Aiken's version is my favorite.
Thanks for the knowledge… I call them all carols. It's good to know the difference though. However, it doesn't really matter as long as Clay is singing. He brings magic into everything he does.
Sylvia – Kenya
I didn't know there was a difference. I love Clay singing Christmas songs/carols and I was so happy he didn't mess around with the traditional arrangements.