The group sings in a contemporary style, integrating R&B and jazz influences into their devotional songs and has 10 Grammy wins, 10 Dove Awards, one Soul Train Award and two NAACP Image Award nominations. They won Grammy Awards in 1989, 1990, 1991, 1995, 1998, and 2003 and have collaborated with Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, Don Henley, Ray Charles, Queen Latifah, Joe Sample, Quincy Jones, Marcus Miller and Gordon Goodwin.
In 1980, Claude McKnight formed an a cappella quartet, The Gentlemen's Estate Quartet, at Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama, a Seventh-Day Adventist College, where he was a freshman. He auditioned fellow students for the hobby group. The Gentlemen were rehearsing in a campus bathroom (later said to be in Peterson Hall), getting ready for a performance, when Mark Kibble walked by and heard them singing. He joined the harmonizing, adding a fifth part, and ended up singing with them onstage that very night.[1] Mark later invited Mervyn Warren to join the group. The group performed under the moniker "Alliance".
The group performed in local churches and on campus over the next years, with members changing due to college's inevitable comings and goings. In 1985, the lower half of the group (bass, baritone, and second tenor) left upon graduating. At that time, Alvin Chea, Cedric Dent, and David Thomas joined.
The group was signed to Warner Brothers in 1987, and quickly changed its name to "Take 6" after a name search revealed that "Alliance" was already being used. Their eponymous debut album, released in 1988, won them two Grammy Awards and resulted in top ten appearances on both the Billboard Contemporary Jazz and Contemporary Christian Charts. Take 6's swinging, harmony-rich gospel sound attracted a flurry of attention, and the group went on to record or appear with a number of luminaries, including Quincy Jones, Ella Fitzgerald and Stevie Wonder.
In 1991, after the release of their second album, So Much 2 Say, Mervyn Warren left the group to pursue a career as a producer. Joey Kibble, Mark's younger brother, was invited to round out the vocal lineup. The group added instrumentation to their purely a cappella sound beginning with the record He Is Christmas; Join The Band and Brothers continued their streak of success, and Take 6 amassed a total of seven Grammys and eight Dove awards, as well as topping the Downbeat Magazine's Reader's and Critic's poll for seven years' consecutively.
Take 6's 1998 release, So Cool, brought the group back to its a cappella origins.
In 2006 the group launched Take 6 Records and the 2006 release Feels Good was released on that label.
The group currently lists Nashville, Tennessee as its home.[2] All members grew up Seventh-Day Adventist.[
The Christmas Song
Take 6 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Yule-tide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like Eskimos.
Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
Help to make the season bright
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
They know that Santa's on his way
He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
And every mother's child is gonna spy
To see if reindeer really know how to fly.
And so I'm offering this simple phrase
To kids from one to ninety-two
Although it's been said many times, many ways
Merry Christmas to you!
The lyrics to Take 6's The Christmas Song depict a typical Christmas setting with various activities that people engage in during the festive season. The first verse sets the tone for the song with "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire" depicting a classic Christmas scene of roasting chestnuts on an open fire while "Jack Frost nipping at your nose" paints a vivid picture of the cold winter weather at Christmas. The second line of the verse goes, "Yule-tide carols being sung by a choir" which emphasizes the significance of carol singing during the festive period.
In the second verse, the focus shifts to the importance of family and friends during Christmas. It speaks to the idea that sharing the festivities with loved ones is what makes the holiday season special. The line "Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow will find it hard to sleep tonight" emphasizes the excitement that children have for Christmas. The verse then alludes to the concept of Santa Claus and his famous reindeer, hinting at the belief many hold that Santa brings gifts to children on that magical day.
The final verse of the song features the chorus offering a simple message of wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. The use of the phrase "Although it's been said many times, many ways" indicates that the message of wishing people a Merry Christmas is not a new concept; however, it remains relevant and meaningful every year.
Line by Line Meaning
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Roasting chestnuts on an open fire embodies the warmth of the holiday season and brings a sense of comfort during the winter months.
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
The cold winter air and frostbite serves as a reminder of the season, and the importance of staying warm despite the temperature drop.
Yule-tide carols being sung by a choir
The sound of carols being sung displays the joyful spirit and togetherness during the holiday season.
And folks dressed up like Eskimos.
Dressing warmly for the winter season is necessary for braving the harsh elements.
Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
The presence of traditional holiday staples such as turkey and mistletoe further symbolize the joy and unity of the season.
Help to make the season bright
By including traditional holiday staples, the holiday season is further brightened and made even more special.
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
Excitement and wonder at the many festive elements of the holiday season fills the hearts of young children.
Will find it hard to sleep tonight.
The joy and anticipation for the holiday season may make it hard for children to fall asleep on Christmas Eve.
They know that Santa's on his way
The arrival of Santa Claus serves as a symbol of the joyful, giving spirit of the holiday season.
He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
Santa Claus brings presents and other goodies to children, further adding to the joy and magic of the holiday season.
And every mother's child is gonna spy
Children eagerly wait for Santa's arrival, and even the most skeptical will try to catch a glimpse of him on Christmas Eve.
To see if reindeer really know how to fly.
The idea of flying reindeer adds to the wonder and magic of the holiday season, and children eagerly anticipate their arrival.
And so I'm offering this simple phrase
As a symbol of goodwill and happiness, the singer offers a simple phrase to express the joy and spirit of the holiday season.
To kids from one to ninety-two
The joy of the holiday season is meant for everyone, from children to the elderly.
Although it's been said many times, many ways
While the message may be a familiar one, it carries true meaning and importance for the holiday season every year.
Merry Christmas to you!
The artist offers a heartfelt wish of joy and happiness to all who celebrate the holiday season.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Mel Torme, Robert Wells
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind