Gill was born in Norman, Oklahoma, the home of the University of Oklahoma Sooners and learned to play several instruments, including banjo and guitar before he started high school at Oklahoma City's Northwest Classen High School. After he graduated, he played in a number of bluegrass bands. He debuted on the national scene with the country-rock band Pure Prairie League in 1979, appearing on that band's album Can't Hold Back. Gill is the lead singer on their hit song, "Let Me Love You Tonight" (1980), which he was still performing in concert years later - thus, he said, confusing many fans who knew him only from his subsequent solo work. Gill appeared on two subsequent albums along with his then-wife Janis Oliver.
Departing Pure Prairie League in 1981, Gill joined Rodney Crowell’s backing band The Notorious Cherry Bombs, where he met and worked with Tony Brown and Emory Gordy Jr., both of whom would later produce many of his future solo albums.
Signing as a solo artist with RCA Records in 1983, he first charted while on that label. In 1989 he switched to MCA Records where he recorded his breakthrough hit "When I Call Your Name." His 1998 album The Key received great critical acclaim. His other albums include Next Big Thing (2003) and Let's Make Sure We Kiss Goodbye (2000). The Guitar Slinger Songfacts says that Gill released his twelfth studio album, Guitar Slinger, on October 25, 2011 via MCA Nashville. It was his manager, Larry Fitzgerald, who came up with the title, as he felt there was something different the way Gill was playing the guitar on the record.
Gill hosted the CMA Awards every year from 1992 to 2003. In 2004 he received a Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance. In 1997, he was inducted into the Western Performers Hall of Fame at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
He married country singer Janis Oliver (of Sweethearts of the Rodeo fame) in 1980. The couple have one daughter, Jennifer Jerene Gill, born 5 May 1982. Vince and Janis separated in the mid-1990s and eventually divorced in June 1998. Vince later began dating and eventually married Christian/pop singer Amy Grant in March of 2000. They have one daughter, Corrina Grant Gill born 12 March 2001.
Dire Straits leader Mark Knopfler was a fan of Gill's, and had asked Gill to join the band full time. Gill turned down the invitation but did sing backup on one song ("The Bug") from Dire Straits' album On Every Street.
Gill has also sung duets with numerous artists, including Dolly Parton ("I Will Always Love You"), Reba McEntire ("Oklahoma Swing," "The Heart Won't Lie," "It Just Has to Be That Way"), Amy Grant ("House of Love"), and Barbra Streisand ("If You Ever Leave Me"); his other credits as a backup vocalist have included "Girls With Guitars" by Wynonna Judd (written by Mary-Chapin Carpenter, who, coincidentally, had a country hit with her cover of "The Bug") and "Nothing Left Behind Us" by Richard Marx.
Blue Christmas
Vince Gill Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll be so blue thinking about you
Decorations of red on a green Christmas tree
Won't mean a thing if you're not here with me
I'll have a blue Christmas, that's certain
And when that blue heartache starts hurtin'
You'll be doin' all right with your Christmas of white
I'll have a blue Christmas without you
I'll be so blue thinking about you
Decorations of red on a green Christmas tree
Won't mean a thing if you're not here with me
I'll have a blue Christmas, that's certain
And when that blue heartache starts hurtin'
You'll be doin' all right with your Christmas of white
But I'll have a blue, blue Christmas
The song "Blue Christmas" by Vince Gill is a heart-wrenching yet relatable tune about feeling the pain of a broken heart during the holiday season. Throughout the lyrics, the singer expresses the loneliness and sadness they feel without their loved one by their side. The repeated line "I'll have a blue Christmas without you" emphasizes the emptiness and longing that they're feeling. The decorations and joy of the holiday season are meaningless without the presence of their special someone.
The juxtaposition between the "red" decorations and "green" Christmas tree in the second line of the song is a clever way to show how everything around the singer may be cheerful and bright, but their world is dark and dreary. The use of the colors red and green are also symbolic of the Christmas holiday, making their absence even more noticeable. The lyrics continue to describe the pain the singer feels during the holiday season, emphasizing the idea that the contrast between their lonely holiday season and their ex’s “Christmas of white” only amplifies their sadness.
Overall, the song "Blue Christmas" provides a cathartic release for those who are experiencing heartbreak during the holiday season. It serves as a reminder that even though the holidays can be joyful, they can also be a difficult time for those who are struggling with painful emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll have a blue Christmas without you
I will feel sad during Christmas time because you won't be here with me
I'll be so blue thinking about you
My thoughts will be consumed by sadness when I think of you
Decorations of red on a green Christmas tree
The traditional colors of Christmas will adorn my tree
Won't mean a thing if you're not here with me
But they won't bring any joy if you're not here to share the holiday spirit
I'll have a blue Christmas, that's certain
It's inevitable that my Christmas will be sad and lonely
And when that blue heartache starts hurtin'
As soon as the feelings of sadness set in
You'll be doin' all right with your Christmas of white
You'll be happy and content with your own celebrations
But I'll have a blue, blue Christmas
But for me, it will be a very somber Christmas
Lyrics © DEMI MUSIC CORP. D/B/A LICHELLE MUSIC COMPANY
Written by: Billy Hayes, Jay W Johnson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tobias Walker
Every time I hear him sing this song, I tear up! Such a beautiful song and God what a voice!
Mark Hall
me too tears
Corey Beasley
Another one is John Berry's O Holy Night
UnavailableAtTheTone
ture
Snug DK
As a HUGE fan of Vince I am over the moon this time of the year listening to his beautiful Christmas songs. His voice is outstanding. Had the pleasure to meet him twice - he's so sweet and funny. Greetings from Denmark
catherine
what a beautiful rendition !!!!! never heard of this guy ;;he's SENSATIONAL!!!!!!!
ronforeman
What rock have you been living under all these years? Vince Gill is a National Treasure. You have some catching up to do.
Genet Meghann
Of course he is, he has a wonderful voice and a great vision in music. How long have you been a fan ?
Laura Dehn
Elvis has always been my man, but this version of the song is absolutely fabulous. Brought tears to my eyes thinking about all of our servicemen so far away from home.
Todd Hill
We do it because of what we love back home thank you for support unfortunately some guys I spent 1990 Christmas never seen another Christmas I love and miss them guys