Grant made her debut in 1977 under the guidance of Myrrh Records, and became the first Christian recording act to have an album be certified platinum. Following her marriage to Gary Chapman in 1982 and a subsequent deal between her record company and A&M Records, a series of successful pop-crossover records consolidated her position as both Christian music's highest-selling act and a formidable force in mainstream music, and according to Billboard magazine she was the most successful Christian recording artist of the 1980s and 1990s.
After giving birth to her fourth child Corinna Grant Gill, Grant returned to her gospel music roots with the 2002 release of Legacy...Hymns & Faith. The album featured a Vince Gill-influenced mix of bluegrass and gospel and marked Grant's 25th anniversary in the music industry. Grant followed this up with the pop release Simple Things in 2003. The album did not see the success of her previous pop efforts, and soon after the album, Amy and Interscope/A&M parted ways.
Grant released a sequel to her hymns collection in 2005 titled Rock of Ages... Hymns & Faith. Despite publicly musing that life would be easier if she weren't working, Grant joined the reality television phenomenon by hosting Three Wishes, a show in which she and a team of helpers make wishes come true for small-town residents. The show debuted on NBC in the fall of 2005, but was cancelled in November after 10 episodes. After Three Wishes was cancelled, Grant won her 6th Grammy Award for Rock of Ages.
In a February, 2006 webchat, Amy stated she believes her "best music is still ahead".
Amy Grant recorded a live cd/dvd album in early 2006 and it was released later in the year.
To date Amy Grant has sold more than 25 million records worldwide and is a 6 time Grammy winning artist.
The Night Before Christmas
Amy Grant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A brightly painted star
Angels gather round the hearth
Strumming on guitars
Men of great renown and faith
Say prayers on boulevards
It's the night before Christmas
To sing harmony
You don't have to be a child
To love the mystery (mystery)
And you don't have to be a wise man
On bended knee
The heart of this Christmas is in you and me
(The night before Christmas)
(The night before Christmas)
If your heart's been longing
You've been afraid to try
Sorrow's kept you company
And the dance has passed by
I'll lift you up and blaze with you
Across the moonlit sky
On the night before Christmas
'Cause you don't have to be an angel
To sing harmony
You don't have to be a child
To love the mystery (mystery)
And you don't have to be a wise man
On bended knee
The heart of this Christmas is in you and me
The heart of this Christmas is in you and me
(The night before Christmas)
(The night) the night before Christmas
(The night) the night before Christmas
(The night) the night before Christmas
(The night before Christmas)
(The night) the night before Christmas
(The night before Christmas)
(The night) the night before Christmas
(The night) la, la, la, la
This song is about the night before Christmas and how people come together in celebration, despite their differences. The opening lines describe children carrying a brightly painted star through the streets, while angels strum guitars and men of great faith and renown say prayers on the boulevards. It sets a scene of a community coming together to celebrate the holiday.
The song then goes on to suggest that everyone is welcome to participate in the celebration, regardless of who they are or what their beliefs may be. The chorus repeats the message that "you don't have to be an angel," "a child," or "a wise man" to join in the festivities. The heart of Christmas, it says, is in everyone.
The final verse acknowledges that some people may be feeling left out or disconnected from the holiday spirit, but offers the promise of companionship and support. The singer vows to "lift you up and blaze with you" across the moonlit sky, offering comfort and joy during the holiday season.
Overall, "The Night Before Christmas" is a heartwarming tune that emphasizes the importance of unity and togetherness during the holiday season, regardless of our backgrounds or beliefs.
Line by Line Meaning
Children carry through the streets
Kids parade the town with excitement in their hearts
A brightly painted star
A multi-colored star shining bright through the night sky
Angels gather round the hearth
Heavenly beings come near the fireplace in joy and mirth
Strumming on guitars
Playing tunes on music strings, spreading happiness near and far
Men of great renown and faith
Famous and devout individuals reciting prayers on the boulevards with grace
Say prayers on boulevards
Benedictions voiced on the roads by respected people of spiritual regard
It's the night before Christmas
The evening leading to a grand occasion that's filled with cheer and bliss
But you don't have to be an angel
You don't have to be from the divine realm to spread harmony and extol
To sing harmony
To be part of a melodious tune with others; a song so warm and cozy
You don't have to be a child
You don't have to be a kid to appreciate the enigma of this holiday mild
To love the mystery (mystery)
To cherish the obscure qualities that remain in the festive air all misty
And you don't have to be a wise man
You don't need to be a sage, knowledgeable and keen
On bended knee
Kneeling down is not a necessity to let the heart speak free
The heart of this Christmas is in you and me
The spirit of the holiday is not just something you see; it's inside every human being
If your heart's been longing
When your soul yearns and aches for something special, and you're just longing
You've been afraid to try
You're hesitant because you're anxious about what might come by
Sorrow's kept you company
You've been burdened with grief that has yet to flee
And the dance has passed by
You missed the happy steps of life's celebration as your sorrow grew high
I'll lift you up and blaze with you
I'll be beside you to uplift you, make you feel new
Across the moonlit sky
Together we'll journey across the night, looking at the moon from up high
The heart of this Christmas is in you and me
The essence of the holy day pulsates in every heart, from sea to sea
The night before Christmas
The hours preceding the day that calls for jubilation and happiness
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CARLY SIMON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nick H
Something about this song always hits me deep. Reminds me of being a kid during Christmas in the early 90s.
Melanie Ida Chopko
YES Nick! The production, the background vocals, the whacky lyrics.
Free Samples
Same here man 😢
Joe Mama
my mom always played this in the mid to late 90s. It makes me think of younger, better days.
Mollydollyyyy
Me too :)
Rinawma Marin
Feel you mate
STYLEbudd
I'm not much of a Christmas person but this is Amy's best Christmas project.
Beautyseekerful
It's a really beautiful piece, yes, I agree !
Hannah F
My mom has played this album every year for christmas since I was born. I’m now a young adult and every once in a while when I’m especially sick of he world I listen to this song and feel all the same things I did as a blissful and innocent child. I think that’s the beauty of music…every song takes us to a place from our past and we can relive the same emotions over and over.
Suella Russell
2020 and this is still one of my favorite Christmas albums. 💛🎄