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.
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Vince Gill Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let your heart be light
From now on, our troubles will be out of sight
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Make the Yuletide gay
From now on, our troubles will be miles away
Here we are as in olden days
Happy golden days of yoreFaithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more
Through the years we all will be together
If the fates allow
So hang a shining star upon the highest bough
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Let your heart be light
From now on, our troubles will be out of sight
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Make the Yuletide gay
From now on, our troubles will be miles away
Here we are as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more
Through the years we all will be together
If the fates allow
So hang a shining star upon the highest bough
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now
The song "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" is a heartfelt reminder to enjoy the festive season with those closest to us. It is a song about friendship, family, and the hope for a better future. The opening lines of the song speak of a hope for a light heart, as if we were starting afresh. The lyrics suggest that during this season, we should put our worries behind us and focus on happiness and joy.
The following verse speaks of the importance of family and friends during the holiday season. The song acknowledges the value of these individuals, as they bring us comfort and joy. The verse also speaks to the concept of nostalgia, acknowledging that we often think back to happier times during this season. The final verse reveals the song's deepest message, the hope that we will be with our loved ones for many Christmases to come. The song encourages us to look to the future, to hope for better things, and to hang a shining star upon the highest bough as a symbol of this hope.
Line by Line Meaning
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Wish yourself a joyous holiday season
Let your heart be light
Find happiness and optimism in your heart
From now on, our troubles will be out of sight
Forget your worries and enjoy the present with loved ones
Make the Yuletide gay
Celebrate the festive spirit of Christmas
Here we are as in olden days
Gather with friends and family as in the days of old
Happy golden days of yore
Think fondly of the happy times that have passed
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Cherish those who remain loyal and close to our hearts
Gather near to us once more
Reunite with loved ones for the holiday season
Through the years we all will be together
Hope for the chance to spend future Christmases with loved ones
If the fates allow
If life permits us to reunite in future Christmases
So hang a shining star upon the highest bough
Decorate a Christmas tree with a bright star on its topmost branch
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now
Embrace the holiday spirit and enjoy the present moment
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kyokushinfighter78
This heartwarming video and song has a special place in my heart.
The first time I watched this was 13 years ago, when I was a teenager, alone far away from family, and single.
I am a father now, and hopefully, I will watch this 20 years from now when I'll be a grandfather....
@revibed86
Shockingly good render of an already good song. Thank you
@monsoonBloom
DAMN!! It's March 2,, 2022 and Vince is making me feel all kinds of feels with this song. Beautiful singer, beautiful version. Sad, sad, sad for me.
@neilsheppard6673
Thank you Vince, beautiful song and a lovely video. It reminds me so much of great Christmases we have had in the past, with loved ones who sadly, are no longer with us. Happy Christmas to all!
@TuhTuh-sg1fn
Christmas is coming agaiinn...
And I'm happy can be in Seoul to celebrate Christmas with the loved one...^^
@steveblake8356
Lovely song.... This Christmas am on my own..... Terrible times.... Hating Christmas this year 😘😘
@mrs.keenan5580
I’m so sorry
@nicasiomarvida7471
Absolutely amazing voice,,great singer, touching soul,,godbless you sir,,
@JosephJackson-cd5eb
Great song
@MidwestGirl
Beautiful.