"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" is a classic Christmas tune that captures the feelings of the holiday season. The lyrics describe the various signs of Christmas that people can see everywhere they go during the holidays, such as the decorations, the toys in stores, and the traditional Christmas tree. The song highlights the joy and excitement of the season and encourages listeners to embrace the holiday spirit.
The first verse paints the picture of a winter wonderland with snow, candy canes, and decorations on display in shops and department stores. The second verse reflects on the traditional gifts that children love, such as cowboy boots, pistols, dolls, and toys. The bridge sings of the bells ringing announcing the season and emphasizes the importance of singing carols and keeping the Christmas spirit in one's heart.
Overall, the song evokes a sense of nostalgia and invites listeners to reminisce about past Christmases and the magic the season holds. It's a reminder that no matter where you go, you can always find the joy and spirit of Christmas.
Line by Line Meaning
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
The signs of Christmas are becoming visible and apparent
Everywhere you go
No matter where you travel or venture, the presence of Christmas is felt
Take a look in the five-and-ten
Check out the small department stores
Glistening once again
Shiny and sparkling as in previous years
With candy canes and silver lanes aglow
Lit up and radiant with candy canes and silver decorations
Toys in every store
All the stores are stocked with toys for kids' Christmas presents
But the prettiest sight to see
Even with so many toys, the most beautiful sight is still the holly that decorates people's front doors
Is the holly that will be
The holly on your own front door that is yet to come
On your own front door
Located at the entrance of your own home
A pair of Hopalong boots and a pistol that shoots
Barney and Ben desire these items for Christmas
Is the wish of Barney and Ben
Barney and Ben desire these items for Christmas
Dolls that will talk and will go for a walk
Janice and Jen hope for dolls that have advanced features
Is the hope of Janice and Jen
Janice and Jen hope for dolls that have advanced features
And Mom and Dad can hardly wait for school to start again
Parents are eager for the break that Christmas offers, and cannot wait for school to resume
There's a tree in the Grand Hotel
The Grand Hotel displays a decorated Christmas tree
One in the park as well
The park also has a Christmas tree on display
The sturdy kind that doesn't mind the snow
The Christmas trees are robust enough to withstand the winter weather
Soon the bells will start
The countdown to Christmas Day has begun and soon the church bells will ring
And the thing that will make them ring
The reason why the bells ring is due to
Is the carol that you sing
The singing of Christmas carols
Right within your heart
The source of the joy that the carols bring comes from within oneself
Merry Christmas
A wish for a happy Christmas season
Oh, Merry Christmas
A more enthusiastic wish for a happy Christmas season
Lyrics © 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!!