A Special Christmas
SWV · 1997
42 min · 11 tracks · rhythm and blues
Smooth harmonies and soulful arrangements transform classic Christmas songs into a warm celebration of holiday spirit.
Top tracks — play these first
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This Christmas — SWV's rendition brings a fresh, soulful energy to this classic, highlighting their vocal prowess while maintaining the song's heartfelt message.
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Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas — The group's harmonies elevate this staple, creating an emotional depth that resonates beautifully with listeners during the holidays.
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Christmas Ain’t Christmas — This original track stands out with an upbeat tempo and poignant lyrics about longing during the holidays, showcasing SWV's unique contribution to seasonal music.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
SWV's holiday album showcases solid arrangements and harmonies but lacks standout original compositions.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a brief intro before diving into smooth vocal harmonies that dominate the first half of the tracklist.
- Each track features lush instrumental arrangements that complement the vocal performances, often incorporating traditional holiday instrumentation.
- Several songs include call-and-response sections, allowing for dynamic interaction between the lead vocals and background harmonies.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady holiday gathering backdrop
- smooth harmonies for cozy moments
- warmth of classic traditions
- soulful rhythms for festive cheer
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of high-energy tracks
- prefer modern, upbeat sounds
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — A holiday album that showcases their vocal style, but isn't central to their main discography.
- Career context
- By the release of A Special Christmas in 1997, SWV was transitioning from their peak commercial success following their 1996 album, New Beginning. This holiday album came as they were establishing themselves further in the R&B genre after achieving multiple hits in the early '90s.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Intro 0:41
- 2 The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) 4:27
- 3 This Christmas 3:55
- 4 Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas 4:28
- 5 Christmas Ain’t Christmas 3:15
- 6 Give Love on Christmas Day 3:49
- 7 White Christmas 3:33
- 8 Silent Night 5:00
- 9 Silver Bells 5:34
- 10 O Holy Night 3:30
- 11 My Favorite Things 4:06
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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