Tag Archives: LeAnn Rimes

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2025: Day 22

Posted in 25 Days Of Christmas Music by

Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

A sweet vintage Christmas card image from Pinterest. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I have adored today’s song by Kenny Loggins forever and, despite my love for different takes on holiday songs, I never felt the need to find out if his was covered by anyone else. Then I began doing my research for new-to-me Christmas songs for this year’s countdown and stumbled upon one from 10 years ago which is a duet between LeAnn Rimes and Gavin DeGraw. A quick glance at the notes in the video description explained that the song was done in partnership with the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) so that pulled me in as well. I have always enjoyed her voice (I featured another of her holiday covers in 2019) and the power & beauty of it is on full display on this track and blends well with his style quite nicely on this slightly-jazzy-with-a-shuffle-feel cover.

I am not that familiar with DeGraw other than his Top Ten hit, “I Don’t Wanna Be” from his 2003 debut album, Chariot (how was that over 20 years ago already???). It was re-released a year later with a bonus disc of stripped down versions of all the songs along with a cover of Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come”. I found it to be quite respectable.

Rimes included the Loggins cover on her 2015 album, Today Is Christmas. Most of the 12 tunes are traditional holiday tracks performed with mainly soft vocals and minimal accompaniment, turning them into unbelievably poignant elegant tracks. That is especially true of the three Target exclusive bonus songs which are more contemporary holiday songs like Willie Nelson’s “Pretty Paper”, Bob Dylan’s “Ring Them Bells” and John Lennon’s “Happy Christmas (War Is Over)” which is particularly lovely. Safe to say I have found another holiday album to add to my playlist.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Kenny Loggins: “Celebrate Me Home” (1977, written by Bob James and Kenny Loggins).

LeAnn Rimes with Gavin DeGraw: “Celebrate Me Home” (2015, written by Bob James and Kenny Loggins).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2019: Day 16

Posted in Christmas, Holidays, Music by

Welcome back to the countdown!!!

I just swooned over this gorgeous Christmas tree.  Looks like pink was popular as an alternative Christmas decorating color long before it became known as shabby chic.  Whatever the style was called, I just love it.

day 16

Found on Pinterest (original source unknown).

Occasionally two different songs have the same title.  Some examples include the Beatles and the Doors with “The End”, Ringo Starr and Def Leppard share “Photograph”, Queen and Jefferson Airplane share “Somebody To Love”,  R.E.M. and the Cars share “Drive” to name a few.  Today’s song was released first but when a more popular and successful singer released her song with the same title in 1994, it all but sent today’s version into  non-existence.  But over the years the first one found its way back to regular air play thanks in part to all the 24 hour a day Christmas music stations across the nation.  That also helped to land this song on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart seven times between 1994 and 2002.

The original version is sung by a country/pop/novelty group with lead vocals by Lisa Layne who was known as Lisa Burgess Stewart at the time of the recording.  It is considered a country song, yet when a country artist recorded her own version of it, she did it with a jazzy, bluesy big band feel.  That sound combined with her powerful voice makes her version my current favorite of the two.

As for the other song with the same title, it is a holiday staple.  I love the way it is featured in the movie “Love Actually“.  And last month it cemented its place in history by garnering three Guinness World Records for 2020.  The honors include highest-charting holiday (Christmas/New Year) song on the U.S. Hot 100 chart by a solo artist, most weeks in the U.K. singles top 10 chart for a Christmas song and most-streamed track on Spotify in 24 hours (female).  That must qualify the singer as the Christmas Queen.

vince vance

Vince Vance & The Valiants:  “All I Want For Christmas Is You” (1989, written by Troy Powers and Andy Stone in 1989).

leann rimes

LeAnn Rimes:  “All I Want For Christmas Is You” (2004, written by Troy Powers and Andy Stone in 1989).

mariah carey

Mariah Carey:  “All I Want For Christmas Is You” (1994, written by Mariah Carey and Walter Afanasieff f/k/a Baby Love in 1994).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing some things that I love with you  🙂

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!