As their winding career path makes clear, though, nothing important is ever established or sustained without struggle and re-evaluation, without the willingness to adjust course now and then. Theirs has been a journey for which they have drawn strength from both success and misadventure, turning missteps into lessons and challenge into triumph. The result is a hard-won artistic maturity, and the CD that embodies the latest phase of their journey, Fortuneteller's Melody, represents a liberating step forward.
The process began, as always, with Kristyn's songwriting. As Kelsi and Kassidy took to the road for a radio tour accompanying the release of Sweet Right Here, a rebound record which went gold and gave the trio renewed momentum, Kristyn spent more than three months turning the stuff of life into art with the help of collaborators that included Don Schlitz and Sheryl Crow.
From there, though, everything was new. The trio chose to work with Grammy producer of the year and another Kristyn songwriting collaborator, John Shanks, known for his work with Melissa Etheridge, Keith Urban, Kelly Clarkson, Alanis Morissette, Bon Jovi and many others. In working with him, they re-invented the way they make records: instead of the meticulous planning that went into earlier efforts, they worked almost off-the-cuff.
"We would walk into the studio this time not knowing the song," says Kristyn. "John and I would be finishing one in the other room then we’d go straight in and record it. Kassidy might learn it as I was finishing the lyric. We were allowing the songs themselves to take control, rather than our arrangements of the song."
"It freaked me out because I love to be prepared," says Kassidy. "With the other records, we would arrange songs for a month and then go into the studio totally ready, but I surprised myself this time. There's freedom in this approach, and there's something great and fresh about that."
The result was a recording process that echoed the approach of songwriting.
"It forces you to draw from a place that's beyond the surface," says Kristyn. "You find things in yourself that you didn't know were there. For Kassidy, it's her voice. 'Where are those licks going to come from?' 'Where is the soul going to come from in the music?' John just made us find it."
What held it all together was the consistency of voice in Kristyn's writing, the nuanced look at life, love and redemption that made up the project's songs.
"This is about relationships," she says. "It's about life and love and being on the road and being in a family and what happens when there's drama and trouble and tragedy. You can see the growth of the character and the life experience, and then you see the conclusion. It's also very honest. I don't feel like I'm shielding the truth here." She calls it "a grown-up record with elements of fun and youthfulness."
The upshot is that Fortuneteller's Melody, recorded in Los Angeles and Nashville, unfolds like no SHeDAISY album before it.
"In our other records," says Kristyn, "we talk about each song being a little snapshot or a mini-movie, but this new record presents an entire story, from song one through twelve, with each bleeding into the next."
It is a story drawn from experience.
"I was always a little tentative about just throwing everything out there," says Kristyn, "especially when it's really personal. These are all journals for the most part, but that is the blessing and the curse of writing your own material and letting people see what it's like on the inside of you rather than just the outside. I don't feel so restricted this time. I feel like we don't have anything to lose. We have a lot to say and we are in a really liberating place right now, so it was just a different approach. I don't need to mask anything. I have nothing to worry about. It feels good."
As much of a departure as it is, Fortuneteller's Melody is, given their history, the natural next step in SHeDAISY’s incredible journey.
Kristyn, Kelsi and Kassidy Osborn grew up in Magna, Utah, raised, as their father says, "on the three B's--Beach Boys, Beatles and Beethoven." Kelsi and Kassidy sang and performed in local theater, then began singing at retirement homes, churches, and in the neighborhood. Kristyn took part for a while, lost interest during high school, then regained it during a trip to New York to accompany Kelsi on a TV audition. Kristyn then accompanied her father to Nashville for a music business seminar, and a few months later, with Kelsi and Kassidy still in junior high, they moved to Music City. Within a few months they had landed and lost a record deal, recording an unreleased album.
They spent five years working in mall department stores and playing clubs at night, honing their craft, while Kristyn and Kelsi began attending classes at a local university to learn every aspect of the business.
"I learned how we had been taken advantage of," Kristyn says. "We recorded a project for RCA that never got released. That album was missing something and it taught me a lesson. We did what we were told. We didn't stand up for ourselves because we were so young. We were told to do a song and we did it. There were only three of our songs on there."
Gradually, their hard work and Kristyn's education paid off and, in 1997, they signed with Lyric Street Records.
Their first album, The Whole Shebang, rode unabashed exuberance, clever writing and aural brilliance to double platinum status, launching SHeDAISY into the mainstream of modern country music. "We had years to prepare for that record," says Kelsi, "and there was no one saying, 'You can't produce a demo like that.' When we hooked up with [producer] Dann Huff, he helped those demos come to life even more. We just put it out and said, 'Here is our music.'"
Fans and radio were all over the record and doors swung open everywhere. "Little Good-Byes," "This Woman Needs," "I Will...But" and "Lucky 4 You (Tonight I'm Just Me)" all reached the Top 10. Nominations poured in from the Grammys, the CMA, the ACM, the American Music Awards and the Blockbuster Music Awards. The Whole Shebang spent 99 weeks on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. The group released a re-mixed version of the LP and a well-received Christmas album.
"I think we were spoiled in the beginning," says Kassidy. "Once you've had that, you don't want to settle for less. The good thing is that means you'll keep trying to do better."
"Knock On The Sky was much more of a science experiment," says Kristyn, "and that was really exciting--'Let's try this' and 'Let's do that' and 'What if we stack these vocals?', but some people couldn't get past the sound to be able to hear the songs themselves. Sometimes when there's too much of a sheen people won't always take the time to hear what you're saying."
Kristyn calls Sweet Right Here, their third release, "our trampoline--a bounce-back. We stepped back sonically a little bit, and the record reflected the fact that things were a bit simpler in our lives." Hits like "Passenger Seat," the hilariously self-referential "Don't Worry 'Bout A Thing," and "Come Home Soon," a song and video still treasured by the families of servicemen and women, recaptured much of the magic.
"I think we came a long way back," says Kassidy. "We were able to re-establish ourselves with radio and our fans after more than two years without a new radio hit. Going gold was really a goal for us, and I think with this new record we will keep accelerating and reach higher goals."
Part of that acceleration is taking place on the road. The trio chose not to tour early on, preferring to wait until they had released more hits.
"We had so many opportunities to go on the road," says Kristyn. "If we'd started six years ago developing a live show, we'd be in a different place now, but we are in essence starting from scratch in the last couple of years. But that also means it's as enjoyable as when you're starting brand new. We're back in fresh that place and it's really nice."
"We've been working with this band now for two years," says Kristyn. "Our focus is on the live show, convincing people we can pull it off. We don't have any bells and whistles, we don't have any sets that move and we have no flames. We have no explosions. It's just a great show without all that stuff and we're proud of it. Our next step is to get out there in front of a lot more people."
Theirs is the gift of self-confidence born of the rock-solid foundations of family and faith, and the knowledge that while they continue to learn, they have given their all to their recorded output. It lets them stretch each time they re-enter the studio.
"Each record has got to be a challenge," says Kristyn. "We don't want it to be easy. This time out, we're not afraid of anything. It's a different world that we're all breathing in. I think we feel ready to say it, to tell it like it is, and we're proud of it."
The result is a CD that showcases the best of one of modern country music's most innovative and compelling acts, one that adds an exciting new chapter to their legacy.
Deck the Halls
SHeDAISY Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Deck the halls)
With boughs of holly
(With boughs of holly)
Fa la la la la
'Tis the season
(We wish you a merry Christmas)
(We wish you a merry Christmas)
Deck the halls with boughs of holly
Fa la la, la la la
'Tis the season to be jolly
Fa la la, la la la
Dawn we now our gay apparel
Fa la la (fa la la)
Fa la la la la la la
Troll the ancient yuletide carol
Fa la la la la la la la
Everybody sing the yuletide carol
Fa la la la la la
Fa la la la la la la la la la yeah
Merry merry Christmas
A very merry Christmas
See the blazing yule before us
Fa la la la la la
While a tale of yuletide treasure
Fa la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la
Deck the halls with boughs of holly
(We wish you a merry Christmas)
'Tis the season to be jolly
(We wish you a merry Christmas)
Merry merry Christmas, yeah yeah
Merry merry Christmas
A very merry Christmas
The song "Deck the Halls" is a classic Christmas carol that was first published in the early 1800s. The song highlights the festive season with its playful and repetitive melody that encourages people to deck the halls and adorn them with boughs of holly. The opening lines, "Deck the halls with boughs of holly, Fa la la la la, la la la la," are repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the importance of decorating for Christmas.
The song suggests that Christmas is the season to be jolly and encourages people to dawn their "gay apparel" while they "troll the ancient yuletide carols." The song creates a festive mood and encourages people to sing together while celebrating the holiday season.
The lyrics "Dawn we now our gay apparel" have been a source of controversy over the years as the phrase "gay" historically meant "happy" or "joyful" and not a reference to homosexuality. However, modern interpretations and usage of the word have led to some people viewing this lyric as problematic.
Overall, "Deck the Halls" is a cheerful and upbeat Christmas song that has become a staple of holiday celebrations around the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Deck the halls
Let us decorate and beautify our surroundings
With boughs of holly
By hanging the branches of holly as ornamentation
Fa la la la la
A joyful and musical expression of Christmas spirit
'Tis the season
This is the time of year
To be jolly
To be happy, cheerful and in good spirits
Dawn we now our gay apparel
Let us put on our festive clothes
Troll the ancient yuletide carol
Sing the old, traditional Christmas songs
Everybody sing the yuletide carol
Everyone should join in singing the Christmas songs
Merry merry Christmas
Wishing you a happy and joyful Christmas
See the blazing yule before us
The bright and warm fire of the Yule log puts us in a festive mood
While a tale of yuletide treasure
We share stories of the riches of this holiday season
Deck the halls with boughs of holly
Let us continue with our festive decorations
Merry merry Christmas, yeah yeah
Once again, wishing you a happy and joyful Christmas
A very merry Christmas
Wishing you an extremely happy and joyful Christmas
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: KASSIDY OSBORN, KELSI OSBORN, KRISTYN OSBORN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
MTfanatic5687
Love how they put their own spin on it! Twenty two years later, still catchy as ever!
Janis Overbaugh
The best version ever.
Don't Talk Stupid ProductionsTM
I agree
Cody Armstrong
I remember being a kid and my grandpa gave me a CD that had this song, jingle bells, and a few others sang by shedaisy and at the end was a spot that they recorded giving their names and wishing everyone a merry Christmas and a happy new year. I have lost that CD over the years, but I wore it out playing their Christmas music during this time of year
Nicholas Morales
It’s on iTunes. I believe it’s called Brand New Year
Kyle Coughenour
i absolutely love this version of Deck the Halls, very creative and awesome
Sheriff's Place
Jammed to it on the way home today! Great job! Love the sound of the song! Very catchy!! Merry Christmas!!
a-comical-amount-of-mints
Aaaah, I LOVE this song! I always look forward to hearing it at the end of Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas (one of my favorite Christmas movies) because I never hear it anywhere else. And this video is ADORABLE! ;W; ❤❤❤
Angel Icestorm
This is one of my favorite Christmas song ever, this is number 1 and I love how they did it.😍😀
MrGabeanator
me too