Hathaway, the son of Drusella Huntley, was born in Chicago, but spent most of his youth in St. Louis. He lived with his grandmother, Martha Pitts, also known as Martha Crumwell, in the Carr Square housing project. Hathaway began singing in a church choir with his grandmother, a professional gospel singer, at the age of 3. He also played the ukulele and, fascinated by Liberace, began studying piano as a child. Hathaway began singing professionally as "Donny Pitts, The Nation's Youngest Gospel Singer". By the time he was a student at Vashon High School, he was known as a piano prodigy, which earned him a fine-arts scholarship to Howard University in 1964 where he was initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. He attended Howard for three years and performed with The Ric Powell Trio, a jazz trio. Hathaway received so many job offers that he left Howard without a degree in 1967.
At first, Hathaway worked as songwriter, session musician and producer. Working first at Chicago's Twinight Records, he later did the arrangements for The Unifics ("Court of Love" and "The Beginning Of My End") and participated in projects by The Staple Singers, Jerry Butler and Aretha Franklin, as well as with Curtis Mayfield. After becoming a "house producer" at Mayfield's label, Curtom Records, he recorded his first single in 1969, a duet with singer June Conquest called "I Thank You Baby".
Hathaway then signed to Atco Records, which released his first single of note, "The Ghetto". His debut LP was Everything Is Everything (1970), which was critically acclaimed. His second album, Donny Hathaway, was a major hit. He also recorded an album of duets with former Howard University classmate and label mate Roberta Flack. The album was both a critical and commercial success, including the Ralph MacDonald-penned track "Where Is The Love", which proved to be not only an R&B hit, but also went Top Five on the pop charts. The album also included a number of other covers, including versions of Carole King's "You've Got a Friend" and "Baby I Love You", originally a hit for Aretha Franklin.
Hathaway followed this flurry of work with some contributions to soundtracks, along with his recording of the theme song to the TV series Maude. He also composed and conducted music for the 1972 soundtrack of the movie Come Back Charleston Blue.
In the mid-1970s he also produced albums for other artists including Cold Blood, where he expanded the musical range of lead singer Lydia Pense.
At the height of his career, Hathaway began to suffer from severe bouts of depression. It was found that he was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia and was known to have taken up to 14 pills two to three times a day to control this disease. This condition wreaked havoc on his life and led to several hospitalizations.
The effects of Hathaway's deep depression also drove a wedge into Flack and Hathaway's friendship; they did not reconcile for several years, and did not release additional music until the 1978 release of "The Closer I Get To You". The single became a pop and R&B hit, and Flack and Hathaway returned to the studios to record a second album of duets thereafter.
On January 13, 1979, Hathaway was found dead on the sidewalk in front of the Essex House in New York City, where he had been living. His body showed no signs of struggle, and the glass from the window in Hathaway's room had been removed; investigators determined Hathaway had committed suicide. Friends, fans, and the media were mystified at his death, since his career and his partnership with Flack were on an upswing. Flack was devastated by his death, and included the few duet tracks they had finished on her next album. The Reverend Jesse Jackson conducted Hathaway's funeral, which was attended by many notable people including Roberta Flack and Stevie Wonder. He was buried in Lake Charles Cemetery in Bel-Nor, Missouri.
Hathaway met his wife, Eulaulah, at Howard University. They had two daughters, Eulaulah Donyll (Lalah Hathaway) and Kenya Canelibra. Lalah has enjoyed a successful solo career, while Kenya is one of the three backing vocalists on the hit TV program American Idol.
While separated from Eulaulah, Hathaway had another daughter named Donnita Hathaway.
Legacy
Donny Hathaway Live, which featured noted R&B musicians Willie Weeks (bass guitar) and Cornell Dupree (guitar), has been cited as an influence by numerous artists including George Benson, India.Arie and Stevie Wonder, Brian McKnight, Anthony Hamilton, and Frank McComb are among the contemporary artists whose work echoes Hathaway's. His use of the Rhodes Piano on his early Atco R&B recordings has also influenced many Neo Soul artists & producers.
Hathaway was considered an eccentric by many. He cultivated many unusual interests, and was a devotee of mid-20th century French classical composers. Several anecdotes about Hathaway are contained in Jerry Wexler's book Rhythm And The Blues.
On soul group The Whispers' 1980 self-titled album, the group paid homage with "A Song for Donny," written by fellow soul singer Carrie Lucas. The song was set to the melody of Hathaway's "This Christmas."
On Jim Jones's song "Certified Gangstas", rapper The Game refers to Donny Hathaway with the lines "blowin in the crowd like Don Hathaway"
He was a major influence on the singing style of singer-guitarist George Benson.
In 2005, neo-soul singer songwriter guitarist, [artistRaul Midón (Blue Note) worked with Hathaway's longtime producer Arif Mardin (known for collaborations with The Bee Gees, Chaka Khan, Bette Midler, Norah Jones & Aretha Franklin) and created a tribute song to Hathaway called "Sittin' in the Middle."
Amy Winehouse refers to "Mr. Hathaway" in her song "Rehab" about depression and alcoholism. She also covered A Song For You, on her first posthumous album, Lioness: Hidden Treasures.
On NY artist Nas's album Hip Hop is Dead on the song "Blunt Ashes", he tells a story that includes reportedly claiming Donny Hathaway "freefell" from his balcony.
Hathaway's name is mentioned multiple times in rapper Common's lyrics. Also, Common's duet with Lauryn Hill entitled "Retrospect for Life" contains a sample from Hathaway's "Song for You".
In the 2001 hit by Jay-Z "Girls,Girls,Girls" Donny Hathaway's song "Love,Love,Love" is sampled.
Jennifer Holliday and Aaliyah, both, covered Hathaway's single, "Giving Up."
Rhymesayers artist Brother Ali mentions Donny Hathaway in his song, "Room With A View."
Soul Position mentions Hathaway in their song, "Hand-Me-Downs."
Talib Kweli mentions Hathaway in his song "The Beautiful Struggle"
2008, Ed Pavlic published "Winners Have Yet To Be Announced" (University of Georgia Press), poems reimagining the life of Donny Hathaway.
Bizzy Bone's song entitled “A Song For You,” is a poignant track that includes an interpolation of Donny Hathaways’s original recording of the same name.
The song "What a Catch, Donnie," from Fall Out Boy's fourth studio album, Folie a Deux, is named for him and mentions Roberta Flack, his writing partner.
In November 2008 the famous Dutch singer, Gordon Heuckeroth, made an album, called: A Song For You, with several songs by Hathaway.
Rapper Scarface mentions Hathaway in his song "Still Here" off of the "Emeritus" album released
This Christmas
Donny Hathaway Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm gonna get to know you better
This Christmas
And as we trim the tree
How much fun it's gonna be together
This Christmas
The fireside is blazing bright
We're caroling through the night
And this Christmas, will be
A very special Christmas, for me
Presents and cards are here
My world is filled with cheer and you
This Christmas
And as I look around
Your eyes outshine the town, they do
This Christmas
The fireside is blazing bright
We're caroling through the night
And this Christmas, will be
A very special Christmas, for me, yeah
Shake a hand, shake a hand now
Mmh, the fireside is blazing bright
We're caroling through the night
And this Christmas, will be
A very special Christmas, for me yeah
Merry Christmas
Shake a hand, shake a hand now
Wish your brother Merry Christmas
All over the land, now
Yeah
Merry Christmas
Merry Merry Christmas
Hey, hey, hey
Merry Merry Merry
Mmh, ohh
Ooh
The lyrics to Donny Hathaway's song "This Christmas" are filled with joy and excitement as a couple prepares to celebrate and enjoy the holiday season together. The singer is eager to get to know their significant other better as they hang mistletoe and trim the tree. They express how much fun it will be spending Christmas together. The fireside is blazing bright, and there is caroling throughout the night. The singer describes how special this Christmas will be for them, and how their world is filled with cheer.
As the singer looks around, they notice how their significant other's eyes outshine the town, and it's apparent they are the most significant thing in their life. The song ends with the singer wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, urging them to shake hands and spread love and happiness all over the land.
Line by Line Meaning
Hang all the mistletoe
I want to create a romantic atmosphere and get closer to you during this Christmas season.
I'm gonna get to know you better
I plan to spend more time with you in order to deepen our relationship and learn more about you.
This Christmas
The current holiday season holds such promise for new beginnings and connection that I can't help but feel excited and hopeful.
And as we trim the tree
As we decorate the tree, I imagine all the wonderful moments we will share together in the future.
How much fun it's gonna be together
I anticipate that we will have an immense amount of joy and fun as we spend more time together.
The fireside is blazing bright
The cozy warmth of the fire contributes to the overall coziness of our experience and holiday cheer.
We're caroling through the night
We are singing together, creating memories that will last a lifetime and cherishing the moment.
And this Christmas, will be
A very special Christmas, for me
I am confident that this Christmas will be an unforgettable experience that will hold a special place in my heart for years to come.
Presents and cards are here
The presents and cards represent the love and thoughtfulness of those around us, adding to the overall festivity of the season.
My world is filled with cheer and you
Thanks to you, the world around me is full of joy and love during this holiday season.
And as I look around
Observing our surroundings, I feel grateful for the love and camaraderie that surrounds us during the holiday season.
Your eyes outshine the town, they do
In this moment, your eyes sparkle brighter than anything else around us, showing me the depth of your love and kindness.
Shake a hand, shake a hand now
I am reaching out to others around me, spreading love and connection with a handshake during this season of unity.
Merry Christmas
I want to wish you a happy and festive holiday season, full of love and joy.
Wish your brother Merry Christmas
I encourage you to spread love and joy to those closest to you, starting with your own family members, by wishing them a Merry Christmas.
All over the land, now
I hope that the spirit of Christmas and love spreads far and wide, reaching everyone, everywhere.
Yeah
I am full of joy and excitement, as I reflect on this amazing holiday season.
Merry Christmas
Once again, I want to wish everyone a happy and festive holiday season, full of love and joy.
Merry Merry Christmas
The joy and love of this holiday season cannot be contained in just one 'Merry Christmas,' so I add another.
Hey, hey, hey
I am filled with excitement and merriment, which cannot be contained in words alone.
Merry Merry Merry
The joy and love of this holiday season continues to multiply, so I add yet another 'Merry' to express the fullness of my heart.
Mmh, ohh
I am overcome with emotion and joy during this holiday season, which words cannot fully express.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Donny Edward Hathaway, Nadine McKinnor
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind