Merry, Merry Christmas
New Kids on the Block · 1989
38 min · 10 tracks · contemporary R&B
A festive blend of upbeat pop and R&B rhythms that captures the joyful spirit of the holiday season.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
This One’s for the Children Start here — This opening track emphasizes a commitment to giving back, presenting a heartfelt message that resonates with both young fans and families alike.
-
→
Funky, Funky Xmas — Incorporating a playful funk vibe, this track showcases the group's youthful energy while adding a modern twist to traditional Christmas themes.
-
→
I’ll Be Missin’ You Come Christmas (A Letter to Santa) — This poignant ballad captures feelings of longing and nostalgia during the holiday season, demonstrating emotional depth beyond typical festive fare.
-
→
The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) — Their rendition of this classic showcases harmonies that highlight their vocal talents while paying homage to timeless holiday traditions.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends original songs with covers but lacks strong cohesion and distinctiveness.
What we noticed
- Several tracks feature call-and-response vocals, enhancing the communal feel typical of holiday music.
- The last three tracks include classic Christmas covers, which shift the mood from original compositions to familiar standards.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
5/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
4/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
4/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. 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
- joyful sing-alongs with friends
- steady festive celebration vibes
- nostalgic holiday warmth
- youthful exuberance and cheer
Maybe skip if you
- prefer serious or introspective themes
- dislike holiday music traditions
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — First holiday album after their rise, showcasing continued commercial appeal.
- Themes
- holiday nostalgia· teen idol charm· festive giving spirit
- Career context
- Released in 1989, Merry, Merry Christmas marked New Kids on the Block's first foray into holiday music after their explosive rise to fame with their self-titled debut in 1986 and subsequent albums. At this point in their career, they were riding high on the success of their previous records, solidifying their status as teen idols and aiming to expand their appeal during the holiday season.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Backstreet Boys· NSYNC· 98 Degrees
Tracklist
- 1 This One’s for the Children Start here 3:57
- 2 Last Night I Saw Santa Claus 3:31
- 3 I’ll Be Missin’ You Come Christmas (A Letter to Santa) 5:06
- 4 I Still Believe in Santa Claus 3:24
- 5 Merry, Merry Christmas 4:08
- 6 The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) 4:18
- 7 Funky, Funky Xmas 5:06
- 8 White Christmas 3:40
- 9 Little Drummer Boy 4:14
- 10 This One’s for the Children (reprise) 1:13
What to play next
Step by Step
1990
Continues the upbeat pop sound with fresh energy and catchy hooks.
Hangin' Tough
1988
Sets the stage with similar pop vibes that lead into the holiday spirit.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.