Christmas Time's A-Comin' cover

Released 32 years ago this October

Christmas Time's A-Comin'

Sammy Kershaw · 1994

33 min · 12 tracks · country music

A joyful blend of classic holiday tunes infused with Kershaw's warm country charm and heartfelt storytelling.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Christmas Time's a Comin' — The title track encapsulates the joyous spirit of the season with its lively arrangement and catchy melody, making it a highlight of Kershaw's festive repertoire.
  • →
    Please Come Home for Christmas — Kershaw’s rendition brings a heartfelt longing to this classic, showcasing his emotional vocal delivery that resonates deeply with listeners during the holidays.
  • →
    All I Want for Christmas Is You — This track stands out as a heartfelt declaration of love amidst the holiday hustle, uniquely blending romantic sentiment with traditional Christmas cheer.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

46 /100
Foothills
Higher than 10% of albums we've rated

Kershaw's blend of classic and original holiday tunes showcases his vocal charm but lacks standout compositions.

What we noticed

  • Several tracks incorporate a full band arrangement, while others strip down to acoustic guitar or piano, creating dynamic shifts in sound.
  • The sequencing alternates between upbeat and slower songs, maintaining a festive atmosphere throughout the record.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
5/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
5/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

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

  • festive sing-alongs with friends
  • heartfelt nostalgia for holidays
  • short bursts of holiday cheer
  • joyful background for gatherings
  • quick doses of winter spirit

Maybe skip if you

  • seeking lengthy immersive experiences
  • dislike traditional holiday themes

Where this album fits

Career context
Released on October 4, 1994, Christmas Time's A-Comin' marked Sammy Kershaw's third studio album and his first holiday-themed project. At this point in his career, Kershaw had already established himself as a prominent figure in country music following the success of his previous albums like 'Don't Go Near the Water' and 'Haunted Heart.' This album further solidified his versatility as an artist capable of tackling both traditional and contemporary themes.
Stylistic neighbors
Travis Tritt· Joe Diffie· Mark Chesnutt

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 We Three Kings (Part 1) 0:53
  • 2 Christmas Time's a Comin' 3:16
  • 3 White Christmas 4:23
  • 4 Please Come Home for Christmas 2:49
  • 5 Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer 2:36
  • 6 Frosty the Snowman 2:46
  • 7 Daddy Stuff 3:59
  • 8 Winter Wonderland 2:02
  • 9 All I Want for Christmas Is You 3:38
  • 10 Christmas Won't Be Christmas (Without Her) 3:36
  • 11 Up on the Housetop 2:25
  • 12 We Three Kings (Part 2) 0:56

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata