This Christmas (Donny Hathaway song)
"This Christmas" is a well-known Christmas song originally recorded by R&B singer/songwriter Donny Hathaway and released as an Atco single in 1970.[1] Hathaway co-wrote the song (it is credited to Nadine McKinnor and "Donny Pitts," the stage name Hathaway used).
Hathaway's recording of "This Christmas" charted only once on any of Billboard magazine's weekly published music charts. It made Billboard's special Christmas Singles chart on the week of December 23, 1972, peaking at # 11.[1]
Cover versions
Since Hathaway's original version, "This Christmas" has become something of a modern holiday standard, covered by a wide range of artists. The following is a selective (incomplete) list of notable recordings of the song:
- 1974: Diana Ross, recorded in 1974 but first released on the 1993 Motown Records' various artists holiday compilation album, Christmas in the City
- 1979: The Whispers, on their holiday album, Happy Holidays to You
- 1983: The Temptations, on their holiday album, Give Love at Christmas
- 1988: The Jets, on their holiday album, Christmas with The Jets
- 1988: Alexander O'Neal, on his holiday album, My Gift to You
- 1988: Japanese jazz artist Yutaka Yokokura, for the various artists holiday compilation album, The GRP All Star Christmas Collection
- 1990: Patti LaBelle, as the title track for her holiday album, This Christmas
- 1993: Gloria Estefan, on her holiday album, Christmas Through Your Eyes
- 1995: Four Tops, on their holiday album, Christmas Here with You
- 1996: Dru Hill, on the various artists holiday compilation album, Special Gift
- 2000: Christina Aguilera, on her holiday album, My Kind of Christmas
- 2000: Joe, on the various artists holiday compilation album, Platinum Christmas
- 2003: Ashanti, on her holiday album, Ashanti's Christmas
- 2003: Chicago, on their holiday album, What's It Gonna Be, Santa?
- 2003: Harry Connick, Jr., for his second holiday album, Harry for the Holidays
- 2005: Boyz II Men, on their Japan-only holiday album release, Winter/Reflections
- 2007: Chris Brown, for the 2007 holiday film, This Christmas
- 2008: Aretha Franklin with Edward Franklin, for her holiday album, This Christmas, Aretha
- 2009: Michael McDonald, for his holiday album, This Christmas
- 2009: J. Moss, for the holiday album, The Clark Sisters: Family Christmas
- 2009: Jordan Pruitt, for the Walt Disney holiday album, All Wrapped Up Vol. 2
- 2011: Carole King, for her holiday album, A Holiday Carole
- 2011: Cee Lo Green, at Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade
References
- ^ a b Whitburn, Joel (2004). Christmas in the Charts (1920-2004). Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. p. 39. ISBN 0-89820-161-6.