Whitney Houston’s Christmas album came way past her ‘supposed’ vocal prime, but that still did not take away from the heart-melting, soulful vocal experience, she put together through her natural gift to infuse heart-rendering emotion into a song.
Apart from a handful of solo Xmas recordings from the 90’s and a best-selling Gospel album, serving as the soundtrack to her 1996-released Holiday film – The Preacher’s Wife, the diva’s only Christmas album is her 2003 released critically acclaimed, ‘One Wish: The Holiday Album’.
Overall, there’s more than a handful recordings from this once-in-a-lifetime vocal talent that can easily fill-up your Christmas playlists.
From her 1990 released all-time favorite tune ‘Do You Hear What I Hear’ to the title track and lead single from her Christmas album, here are the top 10 Christmas songs from the late and great Whitney Houston:
10) O Holy Night
There’s an earthy quality in Whitney’s voice in all recordings of her 2003-released Holiday album and that is also exemplified in her rendition of this 19th century composed season standard. The diva restrains on many parts, and even when she belts it carries a comforting warmth in her tone, almost like the feeling of sitting beside a yule log, with a cup of hot coco in your hand.
9) The Christmas Song
Lyrically, this classic Christmas carol has always carried the best documentation of almost everything that makes up Christmas. Written by Robert Wells and Mel Tormé in the year 1945, the song has been covered by countless contemporary singers over the years, yet Houston manages to bring her own magic to this version. A near-flawless vocal performance of everyone’s favorite Christmas song.
8) Little Drummer Boy
Despite the melancholic undertone due to the presence of her late daughter Bobbi Kristina as a supporting vocalist (who was then 11 years old), the song is so beautifully sung by Houston that it truly brings out the essence of the lyric without taking away anything. Houston successfully manages to paint the scenery in your head, as she sings about trying to do whatever she can as a ‘poor little drummer boy’ to please the new born King.
7) The First Noel
While plenty of singers offer all sorts of vocal gymnastics in their Christmas recording, what Houston offered in her 2003 Holiday album was an unmistakable element of Soul, which was ingrained in every bit of her voice so much that it brought out the true essence of each word and lyric. And that is exemplary on this revision of yet another traditional Christmas carol as she brings life to the sprit of Christmas, with her God-given talent.
6) I’ll Be Home For Christmas
A vocal performance packed-up with the juicy-bits of Ms. Houston’s inflections and vocal runs, yet filled with such emotive prowess that it nearly brings tears – and makes you imagine and live through the picture she draws in your head. That pretty much sums-up the overall essence of her rendition of this Kim Gannon-written tune originally recorded by Bing Crosby in 1943. A serenading vocal masterpiece.
5) Joy To The World
Featured on the soundtrack of The Preacher’s Wife, which still ranks #1 as the best selling Gospel album by any artist, ever, the song is right-up there amongst her most astonishing vocal deliveries. Accompanied by the power-packed singing of the Georgia Mass Choir, Whitney Houston’s voice pierces through every other sound of the recording, curating the most inspiring, uplifting and awe-inspiring vocal performance you may have heard on a Christmas song.
4) One Wish (For Christmas)
The unmistakable interpretative genius of Whitney, and the Soul factor in her voice oozes in this beautiful tune, which served as the lead single for her Christmas album. Her understated vocal performance serves as a good example of how not to turn a Christmas carol into an American idol audition. Perhaps other singers could take note. Her genius phrasing and soulful voice might just bring a tear to your eye in some parts of this inspiring recording.
3) Deck The Halls/Silent Night
Even with her raspy upper-register, which in fact makes this version sound all the more soulful, the track is over-the-roof with it’s festive fervor, largely attributed to Whitney putting every ounce of her spirit into singing it. You can feel the blasting joy in her voice, and that in moments instigates you to just get up and get into a praise-dance, in this Church-inspired vocal performance.
2) Do You Hear What I Hear
At the height of her vocal powers, Whitney Houston rendered her instrument to this age-old Holiday standard and turned it into pure gold. What more can be said about this song, other than the fact that there’s no version – before or since, that can top what this definitive Pop/Soul Diva did here.
1) Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Notwithstanding the popularity of other renditions, Miss. Houston’s version of this iconic Holiday standard stands as one of the most flawless renditions, true to it’s original spirit. Her inspiring way to interpret and tell a story through her voice, to serenade, not only brings out the authentic ‘holiday spirit’, but also makes you feel all the right emotions of the season. A must repeat when you’re around the cozy company of your near and dear ones, perhaps all wrapped-up in a blanket, looking at the decorated tree.
Honorable mention:
Who Would Imagine A King