O Holy Night!

Most adorable version by an angelic boy band.

I think that’s Timothee Chalamet at 1:01. Maybe it’s Brendon Murray. Or, an angel dropped from heaven. One of those.

Convicted murderer Jodi Arias performs O Holy Night in the Maricopa County jail.

Jodi Arias' version is not my favorite, but it is note-worthy under the circumstances.

The late...

That's my usual go-to version OP. I love it when everyone stands and joins in.

Josh Grobin

OP, that version, speaking vocally, has no competitions, period. His last notes are of out this world. Too powerful.

My fav one however is miss Celine Dion’s rendition. Clean and powerful and how it should be. Her last notes are unbelievable: high notes and chest voice which is much more difficult than head voice or falsetto

This is a terrific one for the Cecil B. DeMillesque Pageant. Look for a cameo by the Christmas Moose in the manger.

These two:

The version we all need

That IS a really wonderful version R8. Celine looks so pretty too.

Home Alone

The church choir singing when Kevin's scary (but turns out to be a good guy) neighbor talks to him.

A couple of queens:

R8, I like Celion Dion’s version. It has me anticipating each note and rooting for her to complete each one before moving on to the next, with a sense of accomplishment at the end of each refrain.

Richard and Adam of course

This is really good, but really incomplete. I can't find a clip of the entire version though.

Linda Eder having a go at it.

O Holy Night is one of my faves. Call me a Mary!, but my favorite versions of this song usually give a lot of umpf to "fall on your knees" line. I wish I could find more versions that really emphasize fall on your knees.

Jane Krakowski and Will Forte on '30 Rock'. Beautiful. She has one of the best singing voices I've heard in a long time, genuinely talented, not screeching or warbling autotune like most contemporary female singers.

My favorite:

Nana Mouskouri and the original version

Aaron Neville has not been mentioned yet.

Great selections of a lovely song, guys! Thank you all. Now, will someonrvtell me who composed it?

Definitely this version because he sings what we’re all actually thinking:

This version sung by Geoges Thill.

R23 - it was written by the French composer Adolphe Adam. It’s original title was “Cantique de Noel”.

Thank you R26. Merry Christmas!

OP his phrasing is a horror. Breath control sounds like a cpap machine.

Let’s try a European singer, in the original French who’s not trying to raise the dead.

You don't hear much about Mario Lanza anymore. Powerful.

That’s not actually Bill Gaither, OP. He’s an old man with a weird blow dried perm. This is another queen.

If you want to experience shivers and you hair standing on end from the beauty of it, go to see David Archuleta sing it live in concert, A religious experience.

Natum videte.

OP, that's not Bill Gaither singing, it very clearly says it's David Phelps. If you knew anything about Gaither's music, you'd never mistake them. The video has Bill Gaither's name because it's his series of homey musical production shows (there are dozens).

R28 see R21 Cunt!

R33 I want to see david phelps naked. I'm bad I know, baby Jesus and all. I'm not a Christian though, just a lover of lovely songs.

r17, I couldn't find the live version from that Christmas concert but here's the studio version.

And for the elder dancing queens...Kristine W.

r34 YOU are the cunt. Now just stop it, moron.

Regine Velasquez, Asia's Songbird

From original Skam in Norway. Beautiful episode and rendition.

Billy Gilman - O Holy Night

r7 I really like Josh Groban's version, beautiful without all the extra trills and frills

Wish there was a better version of David Archuleta, I love the simplicity, just beautiful.

R42 me too. Fewer acrobatics, less sentimentality, his rendition wasn't about him. Also his high notes are effortless. I also like Aaron Nevilles.

Brian Justin Crum

Are the English lyrics a translation of the original French?

I lived in San Francisco years ago and was told a story that Johnny Mathis was in his high school choir as a soloist.

In those days, The Emporium department store used to have a choir come at Christmas time and sing Christmas carols for the customers.

There was an open mezzanine at The Emporium. You could stand on the top floor and sing all the way down to the bottom. There was a beautiful domed ceiling, so the echo was bounced around inside. It was an excellent venue for singing.

If you don’t know San Francisco, there are street buskers all around the downtown area and a lot of them are pretty good. People are pretty spoiled as far as having access to free music. They tend to get pretty blase about all but the best music.

On this particular year, high schooler Johnny and the choir were singing O Holy Night at the store. One of the sales people there recounted, many years later, that when he sang O Holy Night, the entire store stopped. Everyone went silent and listened until he was finished. They said it was one of the most beautiful things they had ever heard. Like an angels’ choir singing down from the heavens. It must have sounded pretty extraordinary with the echo in there.

Short, but lovely version (well except the B. Burr bit) from F is for Family.

Sings like an angel.

LOL, that was great R20! What MY version sounds like too!

Years ago on a TV Christmas special, Kelsey Grammer sang a beautiful rendition of "O Holy Night." I wish the performance was available on YouTube.

R8 Celine’s version is simply the best and almost perfect.

Some of you are clearly punking us and wasting our time with some of these janked up versions.

I like Tracy Chapman's version.

Mario Lanza does hit those high notes with the power of a thousand angels behind him.

It works surprisingly well in a mash-up

“...chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother...”

This child, born in Bethlehem this day...

R24, I remember making the mistake of watching that episode with my mum as a kid, and she made me turn it off when Cartman went to see baby Jesus because it was blasphemous!

I like the Puppini Sisters' version because they don't over-sing it. It's so soothing.

This one starts out ok but the harmony at the end elevates it to sublime. Lisa Hannigan.

R24 I was just about to add the Puppini Sisters. Another one with lovely harmony.

O Holy Night is the best Christmas song, no question.

Another vote for Josh Groban's version.

Celine and Josh Groban’s versions are the best. Celine did bring the justice for the song 🙇‍♀️

Donna Summer stealing the show on "A Solid Gold Christmas" 1982.

R64,

I also love the recorded version, where it takes a gospel turn.

Sissel, of course. Crystal clear voice.

[quote] “Fall on your knees,"

The last time I heard that was in the back room of a leather bar.

Tom Hardy-har-har, R67.

R61, how about “I’ll be Home for Christmas” for best Christmas song?

The song’s context is from the perspective of a young American man serving in the fields of France, fighting against Fascism, with no prayer of being home for Christmas, if ever. It raises the childhood memories of Christmas and joy, family, innocence, and safety that some of us may have once had. That song makes me weep, if it’s a good version/recording.

Josh Groban. Hands down the best. Clean and perfect. No cringey acrobatics.

You guys posted some of the bests Archuleta, Mariah, Groban , and Celine.

For much of the 90's , for me it used to be this version from CeCe Winans:

Here you go, OP.

But, then I heard the following version by Tarralyn Ramsey and decided it's one of my favorites. I love lower chest belting.

I wish she had a better career :(.

Thank you, R72. Now I have the waterworks going.

R7 why does Josh say DEE-vine, when everyone else sings it correctly …. dih-VINE?

R66 Loved Sissel until she sang "NOO and glorious morn."

Op writes: "Points are lost for the melodramatics and cheesy set." And then he links that that awful version. OP, you lose of both counts. The boy band one scared my ear drums, having to hear 6 tenors, or better, boys singing in so bland a style. Thank you to you who posted Whitney and Leontyne.

Also, 76 posts and none of you bitches comes up with Aretha's version. Y'all were cryin' like babies when she died, and you promptly forget her.

Merry fuckin' Christmas, bitches!

Merry Christmas, cunt!

This one

OP’s image on his post looks like Gaither’s getting Surprise Anal.

The sound is terrible on this youtube version but Price's glorious voice almost comes through. The CD version is also a disappointment compared to the original vinyl release.

This arraignment beautifully reflects Adam's operatic background and who doesn't like a boys choir. Fyi, John Sullivan Dwight wrote the common English lyrics and was a committed abolitionist.

She may have recorded more than one version of 'O Holy Night' but the best version of this song (by far !) is by Mahalia Jackson from her album 'Christmas with Mahalia', arranged and conducted by Marty Paich.

R82: arraignment . Thanks for the laughs.

Cardi B's version.

None of these can hold a candle to Mrs. Carol Brady's rendition of "O Come All Ye Faithful."

The Weezer version is wonderful

Let's not forget about Cher's version of "O Holy Night."

Let us not also forget Paul Schaefer's version, a la Cher.

my favorite: she did it on The Tonight Show in the early 90s: Patti LaBelle

When sung by a large, talented choir, this song can give me goosebumps.

Susan Boyle's version is, like her, not showy at all. There is another YouTube clip of her singing it a very stripped down version on The View with no choir. That one is pretty nice as well.

I don't care for the album version, but I get minor goosebumps from this performance on Larry King Live.

R90, that was phenomenal. Thanks.

I can never watch these so-called Christian singers perform without thinking that it's more than likely it's all a big act and they're just as unethical and immoral as most people when they're not working. Screwing everything they can get their hands on, drugging and who knows what else.

Don’t worry, R93, Santa knows what else!

Mahalia Jackson’s version is my favorite.

r56 Obviously the reason The Real O'Neals failed is they didn't let Noah Galvin go full Ricky Nelson.

Wow, David Archuleta's version just bowled me over.

Joan Baez for me

The Supremes with Flo Ballard taking a rare lead.

r98, Thanks! ...you made my day.

When Archuleta is singing, I can't help thinking ... Oh, HOLE-Y night ...

Josh Groban and Mariah's versions are the best.

In high school, Meryl won a talent contest for singing it in French.

Jennifer Hudson shortly after her family was murdered. I like how she really gives it to em the second time around.

Brian Justin Crum, recording in a crawlspace somewhere.

Crum's is worth it for the one note.

David Archuleta's version would be much better if he performed it while naked.

R5, that was just bizzarre. Was she high?

Anthony Warlow, one of the finest voices in the world:

R24 and Jewel's version for win

Here

Jewel. Pro. Classicly trained and consistent.

[Quote]The Supremes with Flo Ballard taking a rare lead.

R99 Yeah, yeah, Flo was cute. But she was difficult and uncooperative, unlike me, who did whatever Berry wanted me to.

Anyway, here's my take on this legendary Christmas song. It's so much better!

For shame. To neglect the best version of all...Clay Aiken

Hudson looks haunted in her version - maybe not yet healed from a family tragedy?

Another David Archuleta version from Nov 2018. He’s great.

My favorite versions, like this one, are those where I find myself following along, anticipating, and rooting for the singer to make those high notes, or hit the note strongly, or so forth. I feel vested in their progress and feel a sense of relief when they finish. I feel almost like a high school team Mom watching their kid’s school play, hoping it isn’t a disaster and thrilled when it isn’t.

R116 he’s been singing so many years and until now can’t even produce proper vibratos. Not sure if he was properly trained

Leontyne Price’s rendition rules.

Too lazy to link it

What’s a good example of a vibrato?

I really love the video of the nativity scene in R9. St. Joseph is gorgeous, as a bonus.

OP- Thank you so very much. I for one absolutely enjoyed this David Phelps. This song has always been a fav. at Christmas. This rendition with Mr. Phelps is now my favorite. Wow and a cutie as well.

My mom had the old Firestone Christmas Albums, and Andy Williams' version has always stayed with me. In my mind, it's the best version.

And for that other thread about the ultimate Christmas song singer. ... It's Andy Williams.

R109, that version is wonderful! Shame there doesn't seem to be a studio recording.

It was Andy Williams who brought us "Most Wonderful Time of the Year," effectively turning December into the least wonderful time of the year.

I have listened to all the versions and have to admit that Celine and Josh Groban’s versions are still the best, almost perfect.

This thread is brought to you by gau frauen. There's got to be a name for that demo. Grau/grauen?

Celtic Woman. Because.

My favorite is Linda Eder; but I also love Liz and Ann Hampton Callaway version on a Broadway Benefit album. Not finding it to link.

Nelson Eddy, who probably knew a thing or two about falling on his knees

Any version involving a boys choir

You're all wrong. Apocalyptica did it best.

I like the version by Heart.

reyeryrry

O night divine!

....

Heart

I love the version posted in the OP, but the choir and audience sure seem creepy.

Nana Mouskouri’s version in French. As a gayling I loved her, and her version is so understated and sweet.

I might make a DVD with the best versions as a gift for this Christmas.

R138, that is beautiful.

It needs to be a woman and it needs be soulful without all that extra stuff that some modern R&B singers add to songs. And the fall on your knees part as to hit you in the gut.

WW for “Fall on your knees, bitches!”

Joan Baez for me, too.

The New York City Gay Men's Chorus, featuring soprano Faith Esham. Chokes me up every time I hear it.

Unfortunately, it's not available for listening to online, but you can and should buy the album, "Christmas Comes Anew".

I don’t think this one has been posted yet.

Makes me want to fall on my knees and suck him off. I hope it's not too big.

I could've sworn that Belinda had performed this at one point in her career =

Oh well...

Maybe I'm thinking of this one...

I liked the versions by Celine Dion, Josh Groban, Johnny Mathis and Nana Mouskouri best.

French tenor Georges Thill, the voice, the organ, the soprano ( listen for her ) sublime.

Tevin Campbell from the second Very Special Christmas album.

All these fat whores need to bow down to Miss Mahalia Jackson. THAT is pure, authentic singing.

Eeew OP that's like the studio porn version of actual sex. He leaves no room for the listener. But he hot.

R58. The ultimate. No one better.

Dag nabbit!

The only version of the song that matters: