"One of my earlier memories of music is my mom sitting at the piano late at night, playing us to sleep with Beethoven's 'Moonlight Sonata,'" Marc says. With a father who preached and led worship and a mother who led the church choir and played piano, Marc was raised in a music-intensive environment.
His parents instilled a love for music in him that followed him throughout his childhood through eight years of piano lessons, through Disney duets he would sing with friends, through hours he spent alone teaching himself guitar all the way to a small college in Saskatchewan, where he formed the band Downhere with his roommate Jason Germain and a few close friends in 1999.
"Our friendship was always based around music," Marc says. "We really hit it off musically... we realized we shared a lot of the same taste in music, while also bringing different influences."
Downhere developed their sound while touring on behalf of the college, which would send them out on the road with production, lighting, sound, and even a vehicle and trailer. After four years of college, the band left their Canadian roots behind and relocated to Nashville, TN, where they signed with Word Records. Downhere has since gone on to win multiple Juno Awards and a Dove Award. They have released 10 albums, including their latest release, On the Altar of Love, which reflects a different approach to songwriting than their previous releases.
"For me it used to be all about being musically complex and artsy," Marc says. "And then I had a real perspective-shifting experience. At one of our shows there was a little girl standing front-center with her mother. When I said the next song was "How Many Kings," her face lit up as she looked up at her mom and grabbed her hand. She sang along to every word. I thought to myself, 'I've got to write more songs like THAT.'"
In September 2011, Marc entered a competition to join Roger Taylor, original drummer for the legendary rock band Queen, on stage for the Queen Extravaganza Live Tour. Throughout his career with Downhere, concertgoers have often approached Marc insisting he sounds just like Freddie Mercury, legendary singer of the rock band Queen.
"I don't think I've done a show in the last five or six years where five to ten people haven't come up to me and said, 'Hey, anyone ever tell you that you sound like Queen?' or 'that guy from Queen' or 'Eddie Mercury,'" he says laughingly. "In the list of great rock signers, he is considered one of the best if not the best and it's always just a huge compliment when people tell that to me."
It seems that Downhere concertgoers aren't alone in their thinking, as Marc's entry for the Queen Extravaganza contest, a video of Marc singing along with the Queen classic "Somebody to Love," generated more millions of views on YouTube after being up for only a few days.
Whether it's onstage with Downhere or on a computer screen, Marc has a message and a voice that has captured millions for the past decade. Through music, Marc is after the one thing people are always looking for a connection.
"There is always time for exploring new soundscapes and interesting arrangements…but the song has to connect with people or there's not much point to it. I'm really trying to stay in that magic equilibrium now as I write, the union of intriguing artistry combined with strong human connection."
It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas
Marc Martel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everywhere you go
Take a look in the five-and-ten
Glistening once again
With candy canes and silver lanes aglow
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Toys in every store
Is the holly that will be
On your own front door
A pair of Hopalong boots and a pistol that shoots
Is the wish of Barney and Ben
Dolls that will talk and will go for a walk
Is the hope of Janice and Jen
And Mom and Dad can hardly wait for school to start again
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Everywhere you go
There's a tree in the Grand Hotel
One in the park as well
The sturdy kind that doesn't mind the snow
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Soon the bells will start
And the thing that will make them ring
Is the carol that you sing
Right within your heart
And mom and dad can hardly wait for school to start again
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Everywhere you go
There's a tree in the Grand Hotel
One in the park as well
The sturdy kind that doesn't mind the snow
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Soon the bells will start
And the thing that will make them ring
Is the carol that you sing
Right within your heart
Merry Christmas
Oh, Merry Christmas
The song “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” by Marc Martel perfectly captures the nostalgic feeling of the holiday season. The song takes the listener through moments that let them know Christmas is approaching. It opens with Martel narrating that it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas everywhere you go. The idea of decoration is brought up with the five-and-ten, which is a type of store that sold items for five or ten cents. The glistening of the ice on the candy canes and silver lanes give the listener a vivid picture of the holiday decorations.
The second verse emphasizes the toys that are found in every store, making it apparent that the Christmas season is here. However, what makes the season prettier are the holly decorations on individuals’ front doors. Martel then incorporates a third verse that brings in the idea of individuals asking for presents such as hopalong boots, pistols, and talking dolls that will also walk. It is clear from this last verse that the song is aimed at a younger audience, making children the focus of the holiday season.
Line by Line Meaning
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
The seasonal decorations and atmosphere are becoming abundant and noticeable.
Everywhere you go
No matter where one travels or looks, the holiday spirit and decoration can be seen.
Take a look in the five-and-ten
The local stores specializing in low-priced items offer beautiful holiday decorations that can be found if one is willing to look.
Glistening once again
The decorations that may have been dull or dirty throughout the year are now shining and beautiful once more.
With candy canes and silver lanes aglow
The decorations are illuminated and seem to twinkle with vibrant colors, including red and white striped candy canes and silver lanes that reflect the light.
Toys in every store
The merchandise of many stores increasingly begin to include toys for children to enjoy during the Christmas season as a reflection of the holiday spirit.
But the prettiest sight to see
However, the decorations on one's own front door are the most beautiful and gratifying sight to behold.
Is the holly that will be
The red and green colors of the holly plant that becomes much more prominent during Christmas time is a welcome sight of the holiday season to many people.
On your own front door
The visual representation of the Christmas spirit that is displayed through the decorations put up by individuals on their own front doors or home exteriors.
A pair of hopalong boots and a pistol that shoots
Wishes of young boys who might dream of adventurous toys to play with during the holiday season.
Is the wish of Barney and Ben
The stereotypical name pair of young boys who share such wishful dreams and fantasies.
Dolls that will talk and will go for a walk
Young girls, such as Janice and Jen, may prefer to receive dolls that are interactive and may walk or talk on their own as a gift during Christmas time.
Is the hope of Janice and Jen
The common wishes of young girls during the holiday season to receive dolls that are animated and interactive.
And Mom and Dad can hardly wait for school to start again
The holiday season and break from school can become challenging for parents as they eagerly look forward to a return to structure and schedule when school is in session.
There's a tree in the Grand Hotel
The common tradition in many public places to display a large, decorated Christmas tree as a visual representation of the holiday spirit.
One in the park as well
Public spaces often display multiple Christmas trees and decorations throughout for everyone to enjoy during the holiday season.
The sturdy kind that doesn't mind the snow
The trees exist outside and must stand up to harsh weather conditions, so they are carefully designed or selected to withstand the cold and the snow.
Soon the bells will start
During the Christmas season, bells often ring or jingle to create a festive and joyful atmosphere.
And the thing that will make them ring
However, it is not the bells themselves that create this atmosphere, rather it is the audible vibrations and music of a carol, sung with personal sentiment, that will do so.
Is the carol that you sing
A person's personal and heartfelt singing of Christmas songs may inspire and resonate with others creating a merry and bright atmosphere throughout the holiday season.
Right within your heart
The true spirit of Christmas exists not only in the external decorations or cheer, but is a distinctly personal and internal feeling of joy and happiness
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Meredith Willson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Дарья Артёмовна Костарева
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Everywhere you go
Take a look in the five-and-ten
Glistening once again
With candy canes and silver lanes aglow
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Toys in every store
But the prettiest sight to see
Is the holly that will be
On your own front door
Megapicturez Oat lander
Sad that this only got a little views. It’s amazing.
Scott Brockman
Love this, love Marc Martel and his voice when he's singing, like reading a good book or a walk on the beach. Compared with the other version from Michael Buble, this version is way better. 1:28 "Brady Bunch" anyone? Wish he would also do "Wonderful Christmas Time" from Paul McCartney, honestly ☺👍🙏🙇👫⛪🎄🎅.
Rebecca Vocal Athlete
OK so I'm not the only one who says you have similarities of sir Fred! Go guys!!
VTG KC
Fantastic! I can see Marc being one of the top singers in the world! Handsome, talented and devoted! Love you Marc!!!
Todd and Raqui Forrest
He already is, the world just doesn't know it yet.
QuikN
Marc with Plumb make an awesome duo. I love how your voices sound together.
Mon
It's not Christmas but I can say that I love it
That'llShowEm
It's December now!
Elizabeth Combs
There is nothing you cannot sing, Marc. Beautifully done!
Saffron Lealle
I'm obsessed with your music now. I'll be playing this on my Christmas playlist!! And whoever the angel is that's singing with you is fabulous and gorgeous!! I don't mean to offend for not knowing her. I'm just happy I found yall!!