The trio originally formed in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2006 by Charles Kelley (lead and background vocals), Dave Haywood (background vocals, guitar, piano, mandolin) and Hillary Scott (lead and background vocals).
Scott is the daughter of country music singer Linda Davis, and Charles Kelley is the brother of pop artist Josh Kelley. It was these family connections and music industry ties that helped launch the band. Kelley moved to Nashville in mid-2005 from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where he had been working construction with his brother John. Trying to become a successful solo country artist, Kelley convinced his old middle-school classmate, Haywood, to move to Nashville from Georgia in 2006 so they could write music together. Shortly thereafter, Scott recognized Kelley from MySpace, and they started to talk at a Nashville music club. Kelley later invited Scott to join him and Haywood in the new group, which assumed the name Lady Antebellum. The name Antebellum comes from when the group were photographing "antebellum" homes. The antebellum ('pre-war') architectural style describes the large plantation homes in the American South. While photographing the houses one of the group said that there's a great band name in there, and they adopted the Lady Antebellum name shortly after. The trio then began performing at local venues in Nashville before being signed in July 2007 to a recording contract with Capitol Records Nashville. In an interview with Sirius Satellite Radio, Scott claimed she was rejected from the hit show American Idol two times, not even making it past the first round.
Shortly after the trio signed to the label, adult contemporary artist Jim Brickman chose Lady Antebellum to sing on his 2007 single Never Alone, which reached #14 on the Billboard adult contemporary charts. In mid-2007, Lady Antebellum also wrote a song for the MTV reality television series The Hills.
Their solo debut single Love Don't Live Here was released in September of 2007, with a music video for the song following in December. This song was the lead-off single to the band's self-titled debut album. Released on April 15, 2008, Lady Antebellum was produced by Paul Worley and Victoria Shaw, a Nashville songwriter and former solo artist. Love Don't Live Here reached #3 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. The album itself was the first album by a new duo or group to debut at Number One on the Billboard Top Country Albums charts.
A second single, Lookin' for a Good Time, was issued in June 2008 and peaked at #11 in December. In addition, Lady Antebellum was signed as an opening act on Martina McBride's "Waking Up Laughing Tour" in 2008. Lady Antebellum also contributed the song I Was Here to the AT&T Team USA Soundtrack, a song which peaked at #24 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 based on downloads. In December 2008, their rendition of Baby, It's Cold Outside peaked at #3 on the same chart. Their third official single, I Run to You, was released in January 2009. It eventually became the trio's first Number One in July 2009.
On October 7, 2009 their debut album was certified platinum by the RIAA for shipments of one million copies in the United States.
In August 2009, the group released their fourth single, Need You Now, the lead-off single and title track to their second studio album. It debuted at #50 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and became their second Number One hit on the charts for the week of November 28, 2009. The song also reached a peak of #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was a number-one hit on the Hot Adult Contemporary chart, making it a crossover hit. A second single, American Honey, was released to radio on January 11, 2010 and would become their third #1 hit. Our Kind of Love was released as the third single from the album on May 31, 2010 and became a #1 single in September, 2010.
The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 and Top Country Albums charts for the week of Feb. 2, 2010, selling 480,922 copies in the first week. Four weeks after the album's release, it was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.
The week of January 9, 2011, the group ventured into the studio to begin recording for their third studio album. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Kelley said, "We actually just went ahead and decided we’re gonna take two, two and a half months straight in the studio to create this thing and not have all this distraction. Hopefully that will be a good thing". He goes on to say that the group has around 50 songs which they plan to choose from along with songs from other songwriters. However, he singles out a song called Dancing Away With My Heart as one the band is particularly excited about, a song that the group co-wrote with Josh Kear, who previously wrote with the group on their hit Need You Now.
On May 2, 2011, the group released the first single from their upcoming album, titled Just a Kiss. The group performed the single on stage on American Idol's result show on May 5, 2011.
On June 11, 2020, amid the George Floyd protests, the band announced they would rename themselves "Lady A" in order to avoid racist connotations with Civil War history, as the original name was based on the Antebellum South. The band stated on social media that they were "deeply sorry for the hurt this has caused and for anyone who has felt unsafe, unseen or unvalued."
A Holly Jolly Christmas
Lady Antebellum Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It’s the best time of the year
Now I don’t know if there’ll be snow
But have a cup of cheer
Have a holly jolly Christmas
And when you walk down the street
Say hello to friends you know
Oh ho the mistletoe
Home where you can see
Somebody waits for you
Kiss him once for me
Have a holly jolly Christmas
And in case you didn’t hear
Uh, by golly have a holly jolly
Christmas this year
Oh, ho the mistletoe
Home where you can see
Somebody waits for you
Kiss him once for me
Have a holly jolly Christmas
And in case you didn’t hear
Uh by golly have a holly jolly
Christmas this year
Santa Claus is coming to town
The song "A Holly Jolly Christmas" by Lady Antebellum is a classic Christmas tune that is all about spreading joy and cheer during the holiday season. The lyrics encourage listeners to have a holly jolly Christmas, which is referred to as the best time of the year. Lady Antebellum sings that even if there is no snow, one should still have a cup of cheer as they enjoy the festive spirit. The song also highlights the importance of spreading the love during the Christmas season by saying hello to friends and everyone you meet while walking down the street.
The chorus of the song talks about mistletoe and how someone waits for the listener under it. The singer encourages the listener to kiss the person once for her. This part of the song is particularly romantic and is a great reminder of the love and warmth that the holiday season brings. "A Holly Jolly Christmas" concludes with the repetition of the chorus that encourages people to have a great holiday season and to make the most of the festivities.
Line by Line Meaning
Have a holly jolly Christmas
Enjoy a merry and delightful Christmas
It’s the best time of the year
This is the most wonderful time of the year
Now I don’t know if there’ll be snow
I'm not sure if it will snow or not
But have a cup of cheer
But let's enjoy some festive drinks
And when you walk down the street
When strolling through the town
Say hello to friends you know
Greet the good old acquaintances
And everyone you meet
Also say hello to everyone else too
Oh ho the mistletoe
How exciting is the mistletoe!
Home where you can see
Back home where everything is more comfortable
Somebody waits for you
Someone is eagerly waiting for you
Kiss him once for me
Give him a kiss from me
And in case you didn’t hear
In case you missed the news
Uh, by golly have a holly jolly
Well, let's have a jolly and joyful
Christmas this year
Christmas celebration this year
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is on his way
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Doltorb
Best version I have ever heard in my lifetime.
Gianna Angulo
Ikr?! 😍🎄🎶
アイドル トラッシュ
Her voice fits the song very well! :)
Jennie Walls
My daughter in law loves Christmas music and Christmas music. We both love this version. She's counting down the days and hrs till all the Christmas music comes back and on the radio.
Chris Roman
Great vocals,The band orchestra is fantastic,Great version like always,😁😅🤤
Jane Marlborough
Love this christmas song 😀😀😀
Jeff Wardlow Anointed Drummer Channel
Awesome Harmony, tight melody they are good!
Beãutiful Sentai Smashígod Dingle
Remember its not weird hearing this any time of year
Jordan Playz
OMG BEST CHRISTMAS SONG EVER!!! Oh and Christmas is my bday!!! <3!
Maria Waltson
Love this song! Can listen to it all year!