O holy night
December 24, 2010 9:25 PM   Subscribe

Put aside your hate for one evening. O Holy Night by Celine Dion, Susan Boyle, Josh Groban, The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Mariah Carey, Jewel, Faith Hill, John Williams, Jessica Simpson, a 7 year old, Eric Cartman, Aretha Franklin & Billy Preston, Steve Maudlin (sp?)

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Good Night.
posted by twoleftfeet (51 comments total) 12 users marked this as a favorite
 
Harpo Marx.
posted by Mblue at 9:29 PM on December 24, 2010


Steve MAULDIN. Like Bill MAULDIN. For pity's sake.
posted by maudlin at 9:30 PM on December 24, 2010 [1 favorite]


Neil 'twisted' Diamond
posted by mannequito at 9:33 PM on December 24, 2010


'N Sync

Jackie Evancho (at age 9)
posted by John Cohen at 9:39 PM on December 24, 2010


Sufjan Stevens has the definitive version of this song for me. The quiet engulfed by the overwhelming loud.
posted by Rory Marinich at 9:41 PM on December 24, 2010 [9 favorites]


"O Holy Night" is my favorite Christmas song and I'm very picky about who performs it. That said I love Eric Cartman's version but not the one linked here. Here's a Youtube link to it without the video from the episode. Or you can go to the source (maybe region-locked? Definitely has ads.) and fast forward to 10'22" to see and hear it in all its glory.
posted by bfootdav at 10:00 PM on December 24, 2010


Also, from a previous thread, Matt Mulholland.
posted by mhum at 10:01 PM on December 24, 2010 [1 favorite]


Paul Shaffer, doing his impression of Cher
posted by PlusDistance at 10:09 PM on December 24, 2010 [2 favorites]


Put aside hate... Celine Dion.

You lost me.
posted by inedible at 10:14 PM on December 24, 2010 [10 favorites]


Matt Andersen, as heard on the Vinyl Cafe tour last year. Blew me away and made the skin on the back of my neck stand up. This video does not do him justice, but it'll do.
posted by aclevername at 10:23 PM on December 24, 2010


Christmas in Harlem.
posted by cashman at 10:35 PM on December 24, 2010


Celine Dion and Maria Carey hate me. That's the problem. But in the spirit of things, I'll just get drunk.

Happy Happy Joy Joy.
posted by philip-random at 10:36 PM on December 24, 2010


The worst rendition of O Holy Night known to man, just to make things complete.
posted by zamboni at 10:36 PM on December 24, 2010 [5 favorites]


Oh Holy Night cha cha cha Brave Combo
posted by hortense at 10:38 PM on December 24, 2010 [1 favorite]


Neil 'twisted' Diamond

Heh. That's still one of my favorite takes on the whole thing. Love what sleepy pete did with it. See also aegispolis' spooky rendition and my soft-LOUD-soft poprock take.
posted by cortex at 10:39 PM on December 24, 2010


It's a nice song, and thanks for this post.

That said, Stille Nacht (Silent Night) is purer and simpler, Adeste Fidelis grander and more, well, "triumphant", and Number 12 from Handel's Messiah, "unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given", so much more complex and powerful. Compared to that trio, "Oh Holy Night" is, well -- kind of nice but plain, well intentioned and yet insipid.
posted by orthogonality at 10:46 PM on December 24, 2010


Rory Marinich, thank you! I haven't been a big fan of Sufjan OR O Holy Night, but that rendition is just wonderful. Lovely and simple. I like what they do with "fall on your knees."

Is the rest of that Christmas album as good?
posted by torticat at 11:07 PM on December 24, 2010


So far, Celion Dion is the clear winner.

Haters gonna hate etc.
posted by Shit Parade at 12:02 AM on December 25, 2010


30 rock
posted by joost de vries at 12:05 AM on December 25, 2010 [1 favorite]


Dean Martin.
posted by Splunge at 12:22 AM on December 25, 2010 [1 favorite]


"Oh Holy Night" is, well -- kind of nice but plain, well intentioned and yet insipid.

Of course this is arguable. To me "O Holy Night" stands out among Xmas favorites for its exceptional high note - Oh Night, Divine

It's like the Zombies "Time of the Season", which has that weird bend "it's the time of the season for loving?"
posted by twoleftfeet at 12:27 AM on December 25, 2010


Good point, twoleftfeet. But that literal high note -- well, it's also the only metaphorical high note of the whole piece. A one-note wonder.
posted by orthogonality at 12:56 AM on December 25, 2010


Put aside your hate for one evening. O Holy Night...

Are we talkin' Christian "hate," here? Please don't tell me that's what you're insinuating.
posted by uncanny hengeman at 1:17 AM on December 25, 2010


Put aside your hate for one evening.

I've never, for one nanosecond, hated Aretha Franklin.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 1:33 AM on December 25, 2010 [1 favorite]


Mahalia Jackson

I have the version by Jane Siberry that I can listen to any time of the year and get something in my eye. Couldn't find it online. I think I snagged mine when she had her music up as a pay as you will thing. Might be here somewhere, but I didn't go digging.

I'm not even religious, but there is something about this song that makes my heart happy.
posted by lilywing13 at 2:04 AM on December 25, 2010 [1 favorite]


With further looking, it appears that Siberry's version is on New York Trilogy.
posted by lilywing13 at 2:10 AM on December 25, 2010


I think O Holy Night sounds best sung purely, with a gentle touch. Dear fat opera singers of the world, it is not a power ballad, nor an opportunity to show off.
posted by kersplunk at 2:10 AM on December 25, 2010 [3 favorites]


torticat: Is the rest of that Christmas album as good?

If you like the one song then I will predict you will also like many others. Here - since it is Christmas day in the morning here - is "I saw three ships" for example.
posted by rongorongo at 2:12 AM on December 25, 2010


So far, Celion Dion is the clear winner.

Haters gonna hate etc.
posted by Shit Parade at 5:02 PM on 12/25


eponysterical!
posted by mexican at 3:29 AM on December 25, 2010


I'm sorry but even on Christmas I'm not gonna stop my hate for Christmas carols, "Celine Dion,... Jessica Simpson, ... and 7 year old(s)". I'm just not
posted by volt4ire at 5:31 AM on December 25, 2010


Oh holy night is the best Xmas song, and should only be sung by boys choirs.
posted by nathancaswell at 6:04 AM on December 25, 2010


I came to this thread with my link prepared but Zamboni beat me. Meanwhile, I really like the Sufjan Stevens version and the 30 Rock version. And that creepy electronic version.
posted by Mcable at 6:12 AM on December 25, 2010


O Holy Naht Paul Shaffer/Cher on Letterman.
Also Cher with hands in Muff
posted by hexatron at 6:30 AM on December 25, 2010


I couldn't find a video online, but I really like the rendition featured on the West Wing done by the Whiffenpoofs.
posted by Shesthefastest at 6:35 AM on December 25, 2010


When the book is closed and history looks down its long nose at Aaron Sorkin, it'll have to admit, the version by the musicians from New Orleans after Katrina on his otherwise forgettable Studio 60 may have been the single best moment he ever gave us.
posted by 1f2frfbf at 6:39 AM on December 25, 2010


Put aside your hate one evening. My Humps by a bunch of camels.
posted by Joey Michaels at 6:57 AM on December 25, 2010


Strong Bad.
posted by Gator at 7:11 AM on December 25, 2010


John Berry.

It was the first time I'd heard O Holy Night with the climactic top note (in this case a high Bb, if I'm playing along correctly on my recorder) effectively sung, and it was awesome.

'Course, this was before I realized what an asshole God is.
posted by The Confessor at 7:35 AM on December 25, 2010


Only Cartman's version captures the true spirit of xmas.
posted by coolguymichael at 8:21 AM on December 25, 2010


Rob Halford.
posted by Schlimmbesserung at 8:45 AM on December 25, 2010


My sincere apologies in advance: Stale Urine.
posted by mubba at 9:41 AM on December 25, 2010




It also makes a guest appearance as a countermelody in a Harry Chapin song.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 10:45 AM on December 25, 2010


Jon Anderson (of Yes) duetting with Sandra Crouch. (From his outstanding 3 Ships album, truly a Christmas album to listen to the year 'round.)
posted by hippybear at 10:59 AM on December 25, 2010


the version by the musicians from New Orleans after Katrina on his otherwise forgettable Studio 60

Yeah, this never fails to give me chills. I love Trombone Shorty.

The clip is here, starting at 2:30.
posted by CunningLinguist at 11:36 AM on December 25, 2010


This is my other favorite, Brave Combo's awesome cha cha version.
posted by CunningLinguist at 11:45 AM on December 25, 2010 [1 favorite]


orthogonality: "Good point, twoleftfeet. But that literal high note -- well, it's also the only metaphorical high note of the whole piece. A one-note wonder."

Do you know how hard it is to hit that note, and hit it right? Do that, and sing the rest of the piece well, and you are a Christmas rock star, in my opinion. The willingness to even TRY that note, versus those who wimp out on it, is a big deal, too.
posted by Lulu's Pink Converse at 11:47 AM on December 25, 2010


No Mr Tanner yet?
posted by nevercalm at 11:59 AM on December 25, 2010


Melissa Etheridge "O Night Divine", also performed live.

Indigo Girls performing O Holy Night live.

Mannheim Steamroller -- Cantique de Noel

Sheryl Crow - O Holy Night

David Lanz & Paul Speer -- O Holy Night (oddly recorded off of The Weather Channel, well worth seeking out the original recording)

This is a favorite carol of mine, and I'm always on the lookout for versions which somehow capture the emotion of the song. These are all pretty good, IMO.
posted by hippybear at 1:11 PM on December 25, 2010


One of my favorite renditions of "O Holy Night" is sung by Gail Ann Dorsey, from a live concert album where she was among a group of featured soloists performing with Jane Siberry. The resulting album is called "Child," and Jane has put the whole album up for free download on her website (or direct link to ZIP file). It's a lovely album - near the end is my favorite version of "12 Days of Christmas." (well, aside from the old, original Sesame Street version, which I can't find a recording of anymore...)
posted by dnash at 5:45 PM on December 25, 2010


dnash: check your MeMail.
posted by hippybear at 11:47 AM on December 26, 2010


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