Wherever Mr. Presley is, he must be really proud of this one.
Elvis made the song popular in 1957. “Blue Christmas” is one of those ballads that get the listener all melancholic during the holidays. It’s about missing someone. Of wanting to have your loved one with you for Christmas.
There have been lots of memorable Christmas songs by mainstream artists. George Michael’s “Last Christmas” is definitely on that list. But this one, this forlorn piece of a song, seemed to have been forgotten. Until now.
A rendition has to be special.
Here are Andrea Bocelli and Reba McEntire taking on an Elvis song with a modern take.
It is David Foster who introduces the song and the singers. That’s a beautiful stage too. A fireplace with Christmas lights and accents of red and white for snow does get viewers and listeners in the mood for the show.
Foster shares that Andrea Bocelli loves Elvis Presley. To which Andrea says,
“Honestly, I was a little bit jealous of Elvis Presley. Because when I was young, all my girlfriends loved Elvis Presley more than me. For this reason, I decide, one day, I will sing his song.”
The legendary singer who was blind at the age of twelve drew laughs from David and the audience.
Bocelli waits with a smile as David Foster introduces Reba with heaps of praises.
This is the day Andrea sings Elvis. The day those girlfriends regret not loving the award winning modern opera singer enough. And by his side is the stunning Reba McEntire. The singer, songwriter, producer, and actress takes to the stage in a black dress, contrasting Bocelli’s all white outfit.
It’s trademark Andrea Bocelli,
“I’ll have a blue Christmas without you
I’ll be so blue just thinking about you
Decorations of red on a green Christmas tree
Won’t be the same dear, if you’re not here with me”
Absolutely breathtaking.
Reba takes over. Her country style goes surprisingly well with Andrea’s operatic pipes. Considering that the song’s arrangement is more opera than rock. Check out that harp!
Even a viewer was surprised,
“Who would have thought this would work so well. An Italian opera icon, a country music icon, with a Canadian on piano, performing a Christmas song made famous by the king.”
And it just feels so right for Christmas!
David Foster on the piano, the violins providing a beautiful melody, and all listeners have to do is close their eyes and think of someone who is far away from them.
When Reba and Andrea sing together, the combination is just magical. He really has a voice from heaven. A voice that could make angels cry. In fact, Celine Dion did say that if God had a singing voice, it would be Bocelli’s. And that’s coming from the Canadian sensation herself!
Now this is opera and country.
Two genres no one ever thought could sound so good together. Opera’s soaring, majestic tones combined with country’s sultry laid back style were working so wonderfully this night.
That roaring fire behind them’s got nothing on the warmth Andrea and Reba are producing with that amazing duet. Everyone’s Christmas just got better and let’s hope yours does too!
Watch and listen to this beautiful duet below!
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