Kem Owens, professionally known as Kem, is an American R&B/soul singer, son… Read Full Bio ↴Kem Owens, professionally known as Kem, is an American R&B/soul singer, songwriter, and producer. He was born in Nashville, Tennessee and raised in Detroit, Michigan.

After finishing high school, Kem dealt with homelessness, addiction, and isolation from his family. He did not overcome these issues until he turned to spirituality and music, as he has said, "My career didn't take off until I connected with my spirituality. That's why I take time on stage and on the album to administer spirituality to people. That's one of the things that I am most proud of." He has also stated that he does not create music marketed to the mainstream hip-hop-dominated R&B crowd but to people who enjoy his soul/jazz adult contemporary sound and lyrical content. He wrote, produced, and financed his self-released debut album, Kemistry, by singing in a wedding band and waiting tables. He was later signed by Motown Records, who re-released the album on February 25, 2003. The album's first single, "Love Calls", became a hit at urban adult contemporary and smooth jazz radio. He followed his debut release with a sophomore album, Album II, released May 17, 2005. It included the hit single "I Can't Stop Loving You", a #1 at urban adult contemporary radio, and the song "You Might Win" featuring Stevie Wonder on harmonica.

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Kem Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Let your heart be light
From now on,
Our troubles will be out of sight
Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Make the Yule-tide gay,
From now on,
Our troubles will be miles away.

Here we are as in olden days,
Happy golden days of yore.
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more.

Through the years we all will be together
If the Fates allow

Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now

Overall Meaning

The song "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane in 1943, has been the source of a lot of discussion and debate over the years. The lyrics are a classic example of melancholic joy. They are filled with nostalgia for happy times gone by and a hopeful anticipation for a better future. The opening line sets the tone for the entire song, urging the listener to cast off their troubles and embrace the joy of Christmas. The reference to a "merry little Christmas" could be interpreted as a recognition of the difficult times people may be going through, which makes the celebration of Christmas all the more important.

The second verse focuses on the importance of friendship during the holiday season. The line "Faithful friends who are dear to us gather near to us once more" is a powerful reminder of the bond we share with those we love. The chorus continues to encourage us to look towards the future with hope and optimism, imagining a time when our troubles will be "miles away".

The final verse is the most poignant, reminding us of the transitory nature of life. It acknowledges that we may not always be together with the people we love, but encourages us to cherish the moments we have with them. The final line tells us to "have yourself a merry little Christmas now", leaving us with a sense of hope for the future.

Line by Line Meaning

Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Wishing you a happy Christmas celebration.

Let your heart be light
Let go of your worries and be joyous.

From now on,
Starting from this moment,

Our troubles will be out of sight
We will not be bothered by our problems.

Make the Yule-tide gay,
Celebrating Christmas with happiness and cheer.

Our troubles will be miles away.
Our problems will be very far away from us.

Here we are as in olden days,
We are gathered here as we used to in the past.

Happy golden days of yore.
Memories of happy times in the past.

Faithful friends who are dear to us
Friends who are loyal and precious to us.

Gather near to us once more.
Come to be with us again as in the past.

Through the years we all will be together
We will all be together in the coming years.