To Wish You a Merry Christmas
Harry Belafonte · 1958
44 min · 13 tracks · folk music
A warm blend of calypso rhythms and traditional carols that invites listeners into a festive and joyful celebration.
Top tracks — play these first
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A Star in the East Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Mary’s Boy Child — This track stands out with its soulful delivery and rich harmonies, encapsulating the spirit of the season through Belafonte's emotive interpretation.
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Silent Night — Belafonte's rendition of this classic carol features a poignant arrangement that highlights his vocal strength and the song's spiritual depth.
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Medley: Oh Little Town of Bethlehem / Deck the Halls / The First Noel — This medley showcases Belafonte's ability to seamlessly weave together different musical traditions, creating a joyful celebration of Christmas themes.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's mix of calypso and carols creates a distinct holiday sound, though its appeal may be limited to seasonal listening.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate medleys that transition smoothly between different songs, enhancing the celebratory feel.
- 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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7/10
- 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 pacing for festive gatherings
- warmth that invites celebration
- joyful sing-along moments
- nostalgic holiday reflections
- consistent journey through traditions
Maybe skip if you
- prefer modern sounds
- seek high-energy dance tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — This album showcases a unique blend of styles and has become a classic in holiday music.
- Themes
- festive calypso rhythms· holiday warmth· spiritual celebration
- Career context
- Released in 1958, To Wish You a Merry Christmas came at a pivotal moment in Harry Belafonte's career, following the massive success of his breakthrough album Calypso in 1956. This holiday album showcased his versatility as an artist, moving beyond the calypso genre to explore folk and pop influences while establishing him as a staple in American music culture.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Miriam Makeba· Pete Seeger· Odetta
Tracklist
- 1 A Star in the East Start here 4:17
- 2 The Gifts They Gave 3:58
- 3 The Son of Mary 3:23
- 4 The Twelve Days of Christmas 3:49
- 5 Where the Little Jesus Sleeps 2:07
- 6 Medley: Oh Little Town of Bethlehem / Deck the Halls / The First Noel 4:54
- 7 Mary’s Boy Child 4:24
- 8 Silent Night 3:36
- 9 Christmas Is Coming 1:39
- 10 Mary, Mary 3:22
- 11 Jehova the Lord Will Provide 2:58
- 12 Medley: We Wish You a Merry Christmas / God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen 2:34
- 13 I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day 3:03
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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