Patricia Louise Holt (born May 24, 1944 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), bet… Read Full Bio ↴Patricia Louise Holt (born May 24, 1944 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), better known professionally as Patti LaBelle, is a highly revered, Grammy Award-winning American singer-songwriter, author, businesswoman and actress. LaBelle has fronted two moderately successful groups, Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles and LaBelle, before rising to superstardom as a solo artist in the late 1970s. She is best known for her strong soprano vocals and her signature high-octave vocal belting. LaBelle has been largely compared to Aretha Franklin during the 1970s, but her distinguishing vocal range remains unique and recognizable, and she is widely regarded as one of the greatest vocalists of all-time by such industry publications and media outlets as Jet Magazine, BET and VH1. LaBelle has recorded 16 solo studio albums since her solo debut in 1977. LaBelle has also reportedly sold more than 50 million albums. Her biography, Don't Block the Blessings, remained at the top of the New York Times best seller list for several weeks. In addition, she is also a bestselling cookbook author - on Twitter as @LaBelleFoods.
She has received recognition of her works in music, being inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Apollo Hall of Fame, the Songwriters' Hall of Fame as well as the World Music Awards presenting her with the prestigious Legend Award. In 2012 and 2013, LaBelle embarked on the 50th Anniversary Tour, celebrating her years in the music business.

Blue Christmas
Patti LaBelle Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'll have a blue Christmas without you
I'll be so blue just thinking about you
Decorations of red on a green Christmas tree
Won't be the same dear, if you're not here with me

And when those blue snowflakes start falling
That's when those blue memories start calling
You'll be doin' all right, with your Christmas of white

But I'll have a blue, blue blue blue Christmas

You'll be doin' all right, with your Christmas of white,
But I'll have a blue, blue Christmas

Overall Meaning

In Patti LaBelle's hit song "Blue Christmas", she sings about the hole left in her heart during the holiday season as a result of unrequited love. The song describes the struggle of trying to put on a happy face during the festive season, but being unable to shake the feeling of loss and loneliness. The lyrics make reference to the traditional decorations of red and green on a Christmas tree and imply that they no longer hold the same meaning since her loved one is not there to share it with her. The chorus of the song highlights the contrast between the white Christmas that her love interest will enjoy without her, and her blue Christmas without him.

The opening line of "I'll have a blue Christmas without you" sets the tone for the entire song. Patti LaBelle's delivery is emotive and powerful, creating a sense of empathy among those who have also gone through a similar experience. The combination of the slow ballad-like melody and the melancholic lyrics help to create a genuine sense of sadness, accentuated by the sorrowful background vocal harmonies that can be heard throughout the song.

In conclusion, “Blue Christmas” is a melancholic but powerful song that describes the sadness experienced during the holiday season when love is lost. The combination of emotive lyrics and a sorrowful melody helps to create a genuine sense of loneliness and heartbreak that reflects many people's experiences during the holiday season.

Line by Line Meaning

I'll have a blue Christmas without you
My Christmas will be unhappy because you won't be here with me

I'll be so blue just thinking about you
I'll be sad when I think about you not being here

Decorations of red on a green Christmas tree
The Christmas tree decorated with red ornaments on green branches symbolizes the holiday, but it won't feel complete without you

Won't be the same dear, if you're not here with me
Our holiday together won't feel complete if you're not here with me

And when those blue snowflakes start falling
When it starts snowing, my mood will turn melancholy

That's when those blue memories start calling
Memories of our times together will come flooding back to me

You'll be doin' all right, with your Christmas of white
You may have a happy Christmas without me, surrounded by snow and white decorations

But I'll have a blue, blue blue blue Christmas
My Christmas will still be sad and lonely without you

Lyrics © DEMI MUSIC CORP. D/B/A LICHELLE MUSIC COMPANY, EMI Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: HUGH MARTIN, RALPH BLANE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS