The Story of Donny Hathaway’s “This Christmas” (+Xmas Heist!)

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Donny Hathaway's "This Christmas" is an incredible song, and today we're breaking down the story behind it, what makes it so great, thanks to a special guest, and revealing my plan to send this song to the top of the Billboard Charts!
► STREAM THIS SPOTIFY PLAYLIST ONCE THROUGH: open.spotify.com/playlist/29f...
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► Thank you again to Jonte Moore for breaking down the chords of this song. Check out his channel here: / @jontemooremusic9018
‪@jontemooremusic‬
► Get Bonus Downloads, Remixes, and Extra Content by going to www.diggingthegreats.com
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TOPICS COVERED
Donny Hathaway
Nadine McKinnor
This Christmas
Christmas Song
Christmas Music
Nat King Cole
Best Song
X-Mas
Music History
Billboard
Mariah Carey
All I Want for Christmas Is You
Music
Breakdown
Chords
Tutorial
How To
Jonte Moore
Piano
Keyboard
Rhodes
#donnyhathaway #thischristmas #musichistory

Опубликовано:

30 ноя 2022

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Комментарии : 460

@firewordsparkler Год назад

I want to note that adding this song to your own playlists boosts visibility as well. Spotify could boost this song on individualized automated playlists (discover weekly, morning drive) of people who have similar music taste to you. Also, make sure your player isn't muted, but your computer, so Spotify counts the stream. Let's do this!!

@diggingthegreats Год назад

Pinning this comment! Let's go!!!

@crispylineslim5041 Год назад

Here for it, but it gets play round my home anyway✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿

@raggaeldestro8609 Год назад

I always thought it was #1. I also hate most Christmas songs (Vince Guaraldi, James Brown and Donny Hathaway not included).

@jelanilbc Год назад

Facts plus Tax

@lowlowseesee 11 месяцев назад

i havent ever streamed (still listening to cds, and tapes and records at work on portables) but i will mention it to people in conversation

@zoradaughter Год назад

“This Christmas” is sooo incredibly popular in Black households! We love it! 🎉

@kadu51044 Год назад

It's like an inherent song that when it plays, you sing. I got this playing on my machine while I work right now! I'll be sharing this with my work friends here shortly

@OfficialReggieJamz Год назад

Facts 💯

@Spoonkid222 Год назад

@@Weathermane79 someway, somehow, imma just assume you're racist.

@thatsit5049 Год назад

@@Weathermane79 why the nut face🤨

@catastrophic3 Год назад

Yep we listen to this way more than the Mariah Carey song

@totaldstruktion Год назад

As a black man from Chicago, this IS the definitive Christmas song

@tywayne3 Год назад

Chitown!

@desantonia Год назад

can confirm as a Black woman also from Chicago

@southsideman4891 Год назад

Southside, my brother...

@brianburkett6606 Год назад

FACTZZZZZ!!!

@rillloudmother Год назад

as a white man from nyc, this is the definitive christmas song.

@DubGDJ Год назад

Let's do this. It needs to be No. 1. It's the epitome of "Christmas Classic".

@nykki21 Год назад

Christmas isn’t official until I hear this song. I am ABSOLUTELY IN!

@diggingthegreats Год назад

YES!!

@nykki21 Год назад

Only 69 more plays for me and I'm through the playlist!! This was fun

@DanFreeman723 Год назад

That flatted 5th chord on the turnaround is the magic.

@diggingthegreats Год назад

so good!

@jakekeys88music Год назад

Would you say that, going into that 4 chord, it basically acts as a tritone substitution? I'd analyze it that way.

@cfibb 6 месяцев назад

3:35 Btw, one chord during the last measure of the chorus Donny plays -which everyone else seems to omit in their versions of this classic tune- is the rather sweetly mischievous B7b5 on beats 3 & 4 that follows the Bm7b5 (of beats 1 & 2). So that particular measure, counting quarter notes when Donny sings “from MEEE” on the downbeat, plays like this: 1 2 3 4 |Bm7b5 B7b5 | Every other cover seems to lack this magical moment which to me, among other reasons, is why Donny’s original version can’t be touched. Thanks for the breakdown tho! Sorry to be that guy! 🤷🏿

@ace15Nura Год назад

Donny Hathaway deserved every flower you can give, he's a legend, a great vocalist and an insane piano player in the way he could move around the keys.

@richrodriguez1356 Год назад

I’m CONSTANTLY arguing this song (and Donnie’s OG recording) is the best Christmas song of all time, ruffling the feathers of many a Mariah fan. I’ve even fractured friendships over this argument. THIS IS MY HILL TO DIE ON!

@728huey Год назад

They're both awesome, but I would argue the that extended version of "Silent Night" by the Temptations is the best Christmas song.

@southsideman4891 Год назад

LOL! GOD bless you, my brother

@jakekeys88music Год назад

If I had to pick a cover of this that's pretty excellent, I'd vote for Mary J. Blige's rendition. The host for this channel is right: the Train version is pretty "meh".

@p1nkyblue Год назад

It's crazy because even Mariah agrees with you! Every time she is asked her what her favorite Christmas songs are she says This Christmas and The Christmas Song. She has also said she will never cover them out of respect, they are perfect Christmas songs and she doesn't believe she could do them justice or add anything of value.

@notsogood9449 Год назад

To most of us Black folks Donny Hathaway's "This Christmas" has always been the No. 1 Christmas song. When I was a kid growing up it didn't feel like Christmas until they started playing Donny Hathaway's "This Christmas" on the radio. #1. Donny Hathaway's - "This Christmas" #2. Nat King Cole - "The Christmas Song" #3. ? #4. ? #5. ?

@wrightcommunications8235 Год назад

Agreed, this video is appreciated but fourty years too late.

@bagley232 Год назад

Carla Thomas Gee Whiz its Christmas

@NomusaMagical Год назад

“In my mind …” starts Christmas for us. Silent Night by Temptations is our black family’s #1. Donny Hathaway is a close 2nd! 👩🏾‍🦳🫶🏽

@sptmbr2891 5 месяцев назад

Let it Snow- Boyz II Men

@theresearchchannel1609 Год назад

Real talk, This Christmas is not my only one of my favorite Christmas songs, but one of my favorite songs PERIOD. Could never go wrong with DONNY Hathaway.

@diggingthegreats Год назад

Same here- It's so good!

@zoradaughter Год назад

Same! I could listen to this song in June & feel so much joy! 🥹

@oliviamurphy9482 Год назад

same!! I can listen to it any day haha

@KKAkuoku Год назад

Never heard of this song before this video, so I dipped out to listen, and can proudly declare that it’s a cheetah-gliding-on-an-oil-slick smooth alternative to what’s incessantly playing on the radio this time of year.

@kh4901 Год назад

Never heard it? I love it so much, I wish I could hear it for the first time again. Play it for your friends and get them in on this!😊

@maxacorn Год назад

for me, until i hear this song, it's not christmas. and i do mean THIS song. this version is the best version of the song and only donny could do it. i loved it as a kid and i still love it to this day.

@joshhernandez2292 Год назад

Hands down the best modern Xmas song. Not even a question. The chord progressions and tension, that groove, and obviously Donny’s voice. 🔥 🔥 🔥

@southsideman4891 Год назад

Donny didn't say X. He said JESUS CHRIST. Say that with Donny too. It's good for your soul...

@hadjiioke Год назад

Dude, this is my all time favorite Christmas song. If this son were played repeatedly in stores, I would never leave.

@yetispaghetti5754 Год назад

I can only imagine how many people from that era getting the rush of nostalgia from hearing this when they go to the store

@dusteddevilapparel Год назад

It's the sign of the Christmas season for me!!!

@andrewswagmane Год назад

It’s notable to mention that Donny Hathaway once said “When I think of music, I think of music in its totality, complete. From the lowest blues to the highest symphony, you know, so what I'd like to do is exemplify each style of as many periods as I can possibly do”, which really resonates with what Jonte was explaining about how he uses elements of all genres in one song.

@southsideman4891 Год назад

So THATS the key! A lot of times I try to figure out why things are good, I thought that about Donnie several times...

@jracerichards Год назад

The song was recorded during sessions for his 2nd album. The company never released it as a single but slowly started getting play over many many years. Since Lalah took over his estate she has definitely pushed for the song to be part of Christmas music tradition . The arrangement is classic Donny ,which he's used in other songs including Someday we'll all be free.

@blurelic4 Год назад

I must add that The Whispers' cover of "This Christmas" is phenomenal! It is a slowed down arrangement but I believe it is good. Yet, as stated, nothing beats the original. Side note: I share a birthday with Donny Hathaway.

@ImJustEricka Год назад

It's beautiful !! But love the original as well

@placebosyndrome Год назад

I love that cover as well, and I love how they used the exact same music from that cover for their beautiful tribute, "A Song for Donny" (also released in 1979). so good!

@nekola413 Год назад

Donny Hathaway is one of my all-time favorite artists second only to Same Cooke. Honestly, I go back and forth between the two. This Christmas is the ultimate Christmas song. I've already started streaming it. Let's do this!

@angelamarinelli2017 Год назад

Started listening to Donny Hathaway when I was about 14... he is my ALL time favorite male vocalist & this is my ALL time favorite Holiday song!! & him & Lalah together?!?! Are u kidding me?!?! It's magical!! 🥰 🥰🥰

@JeffTheGent Год назад

👏🏽 “This Christmas” is not just one of my favorite holiday songs. It’s one of my most beloved tunes of all time, period, maybe top 20. And I’m a _huge_ music-lover, so that’s really saying something. Thank you, *so* much for making this video. I bought Donny Hathaway’s original version of “This Christmas” today, 12/23/23, on Amazon and iTunes to help make it the commercial hit it deserves to be.

@tyler8902 Год назад

Donny Hathaway made some of the best music we have to offer as a species. He deserves this and so much more

@oneinamillennial Год назад

Your channel is truly something special. This version of “This Christmas” is my favorite Christmas song. Also, thanks for mentioning Patti Labelle’s performance too. I watch it every year to get me in the holiday spirit. 😂😅❤

@southsideman4891 Год назад

He warmed my heart making an effort to make this number one. May this be remembered for his good. Respect.

@charlescdt6509 Год назад

Thank you for doing this break down. It was awesome. I feel the reason Mariah's song is known more is its pure pop and easier to sing. The meter changes can catch folks unless you really know the song.

@seanw7452 Год назад

I adore this channel so much. You masterfully tell stories. I am excited every time a very drops. All the best mate!

@diggingthegreats Год назад

🙏🙏🙏

@karencoleman6442 Год назад

Donny Hatheway sung this song with a soulfulness. To many African Americans who also celebrate Christmas see it as that Christmas is also for us. Growing up as a black kid You always heard white Americans like Bing Crosby, or Rose Mary Cloney sings White Christmas. To me it tells a story that to many of African American in the the social and economic struggle that we will have better days and "This Christmas Will Be A Very Special Christmas For Me tells you that you can have a very Merry Christmas too. To many of us kids in the hood sung along with Mr. Donny Hathaway with such joy. Donny Hathaway song is a true classic. He left us a rich true treasure!!! 🎵

@jadimwendo464 Год назад

This Christmas has long been the best Christmas song in my opinion. I'm down to make it number 1.

@robbiedubbelman3024 Год назад

Those chords were beautifully played, very warm sound 😊

@oscarcronin428 Год назад

The odd-metered groove is so natural and smooth. Been my fav xmas tune for years. Glad its starting to get some recognition.

@diggingthegreats Год назад

It’s too good to NOT be number 1!

@southsideman4891 Год назад

Donny didn't say X. He said JESUS CHRIST. Say that with Donny too. It's good for your soul...

@jbstein 7 месяцев назад

@@southsideman4891 X is a traditional way to write Christ. Χριστός is how you write "Christ" in Greek. In many traditional Christian abbreviations, X stands for Christ, as in the "Jesus fish" acronym ΙΧΘΥΣ (Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior)

@southsideman4891 7 месяцев назад

@@jbstein there is no power in the name of "X"; but ALL POWER IN HEAVEN AND EARTH IS IN THE NAME OF JESUS! Amen and Amen

@amontaineaurore4700 Год назад

I am so down for this. It irks me when people don't know this song. My favorite Christmas song! Thank you for doing this!

@davidrauline9730 Год назад

Donny Hathaway is one of the most unjustifiably underrated artist of that period. Now I want an episode about is cover of Jaleous Guy which make totally forget about the Lennon Version.

@ErikOlkiewicz Год назад

I am so glad I found this channel. Great!

@nicolebrown2851 Год назад

Definitely my Xmas fave! Streaming the playlist for 2 days now nonstop and counting! This song deserves to be #️⃣1️⃣❗️

@HorneATL Год назад

Listening to it at this hour … and, it’s AMAZING! The chords are complex and require your heart and soul to digest!

@joem1152 Год назад

I’m so happy to see this video, I was just looking up chords, I love lots of Xmas songs but this one is my favorite! Best vibe and happy, and I’ve always noticed how it’s so different from other more nostalgic Xmas songs

@southsideman4891 Год назад

Donny didn't say X. He said JESUS CHRIST. Say that with Donny too. It's good for your soul...

@karla.with.a.k Год назад

Thanks for this video! Donny Hathaway’s This Christmas is my absolute favorite holiday song. Always has been and always will be.

@DJB_02 Год назад

Definitely my favourite Christmas song. The only Christmas song I can listen to any day of the year

@lairdhercules4553 Год назад

Dude I don't know how you got the mark with me every video, but this is one of the most underrated Christmas songs. It's known in black households like Stevie Wonder's Happy Birthday. It just hasn't fully crossed over into a pop Christmas classic. I'll try getting that playlist going.

@sk3lly704 Год назад

BRO I JUST DISCOVERED DONNY HATHAWAY AND FOUND HIS CHRISTMAS SONG, I WAS LITERALLY RANTING TO MY FRIENDS HOW IT'S THE BEST CHRISTMAS SONG. AND NOW YOUR VIDEO CAME UP ON MY RECOMMENDED.

@mojomogul Год назад

Shout-out to this channel, the algorithm suggested the "Rock With U" video and I've been watching the others since. Love this video, song, and entire vibe of sonic exploration of classic songs. Keep on!

@MrDbuccaneer Год назад

Unquestionably beautiful, what a song 👌🏿

@1mespud Год назад

"This Christmas" Facts: The bassline was done on a Fender/Rhodes keyboard bass. There's also a marching band bass drum in the chorus not so much to be an African homage, but to immolate a Salvation Army band that were always out in public and in front of stores during the Christmas season.

@jdmaccordcoupe1727 Год назад

Lalah just shared this . But I’ve been advocating hard for this song , it was not only a masterpiece but so many favorites. Love this channel can’t believe how quick it’s grown

@robynology101 Год назад

Please tell me original writer got her dues for this masterpiece. This Christmas is the warmest, sweetest, and most soulful Christmas song ever 🎄 Edit: I just listened to Train’s rendition all the way through and was pleasantly surprised. No apologies necessary. Merry Christmas ❤

@StayBased_ Год назад

Your videos are dope. Im binge watching all of them. Thank you!

@flowmaka Год назад

Love the breakdown and review of this song. The chords are amazing and were so ahead of his time. Amazing story of how this song came to be! Great overall presentation! ❤

@StoneFreeSofie Год назад

Ha love it! Donny Hathaway is my favorite singer of all time. His voice, his live performances, he really deserves to be known by a lot more people! Gonna stream this till my ears bleed :D

@joedellava7805 Год назад

Thank you, my toddler's "new" favorite Christmas is now this ❤. We're making sure the next gen listens to quality music 🙏 The playlist works!

@cashnprizes317 Год назад

This is my favorite Christmas song. It's gotta be the first Christmas song I hear after thanksgiving; and i can't fully get into the Christmas spirit if i don't hear it on the radio. Donny's version is the only one I ever want to hear.

@david-2vm278 Год назад

I love your work. I love your passion. And you are right it is the best. I loved it every since 1973 when I first heard it.

@diggingthegreats Год назад

Thank you for the kind words, this song is so good!

@mctulkyviperbit6166 Год назад

I’m glad you’re giving us this mission! Can’t wait

@curtismillerjr3173 Год назад

Good job Guy’s Thanx for illuminating on the epic of this song which is one of my faves no one else can sing this song like Donny Hathaway well Chris Breezy version I must say was dope also the rich color and emotional content puts this song at the top of the list show me some more chords my gratitude to y’all for this video a virtuoso song of hope.

@LLuke. Год назад

you are just forever goated man, this channel hits every. time.

@machinelearng Год назад

My favorite and the most soulful Christmas song ever. This should be the number Christmas song and Donny's version of it can not be matched

@user-eu3op7or6v Год назад

I’m so happy you did this video the ding or so good and so underrated! ❤🎄✨

@cwwheelz Год назад

Let's make this happen! Donny deserves this!

@truthdotnet Год назад

Consistently great videos, man-content, editing, and length are all on point. Excited to follow along as your channel continues to grow

@Drrolfski Год назад

Kurtis Blow - Christmas Rappin', BY FAR the best Christmas groove ever made, if only for being inspired by Chic's legendary Good Times. Also highly influential for being one of the very first commercial hiphop tracks ever released with half a million copies sold. It got him signed to a major label as the first rapper in history.

@redhouaneboulechbak8316 Год назад

You forgot to mention The Whispers version (They also did a remake of it by changing the lyrics tited 'song for Donny')

@diggingthegreats Год назад

Another great one!

@tywayne3 Год назад

Yes, both great versions! Slow and mellow. They both slap on different ways.

@redhouaneboulechbak8316 Год назад

@@tywayne3 The latter was a tribute for their friend Donny

@tywayne3 Год назад

@@redhouaneboulechbak8316 thanks, don't think I never knew that. Kinda makes sense.

@Scoots1994 Год назад

Playlist opened and playing!

@G400martin Год назад

We had a tree fall on our house while we were in it, just a couple days after finishing decorating earlier this month. All our hard work crushed with no chance to enjoy it. This song got us through it.

@Mustardknuckles Год назад

Thank you for this video!!!! I can't stand when I only here the cover versions of this masterpiece!

@irvegriffiths8256 Год назад

Get Jonte in more - he has such a beautiful way of explaining 😀😀😀

@shawncharles6077 Год назад

The conversation with Jonte Moore reminds me of talks I'll have with my dude Will. He's not as active but when I get confused about a chord or two he can explain it just like that and it makes complete sense. Big Dawg keep these coming. I love the content. Might wanna think of some merch soon. You get my support for sure.

@diggingthegreats Год назад

Yes! Jonte is the man - so great having him come on and share his knowledge and heart on this song. Thank you for the support! Figuring out merch now, so stay tuned!

@c.cosman3674 Год назад

glad im not late to this one, lets get this track up there!

@mamaluvs2dance Год назад

Phuque Spotify. If they paid fairly, we wouldn't have to do all those melon farming calculations. I been blasting this song for 50 + years. It is and always will be #1. (close 2nd to Stevie Wonder's "Someday at Christmas.") It's about SOUL, you feel it in your spirit. Everything isn't about crunching numbers and science. Geesh. Shine on Donny Hathaway and gratitude to Nadine McKinnor. #repChi

@parkerchace Год назад

I'm a huge fan of Donny and love this idea!! I'll try to do what I can

@dirtyjirz Год назад

Brilliant idea! This made me smile my man, I'm already 3 songs deep

@vitorxavier831 Год назад

Cool! We can do it! I love the classic The Christmas Song by Nat King Cole (actually composed by Mel Torme). Nat turned it into a must-song for the season. I always remember my 82yo dad, the biggest of Nat's fan I know, teaching us about this song when we were little (we are from Brazil, BTW - and there is a bit of cultural adjustment in this!). Anyway, Nat is the greatest for me in many different aspects. But Donny, man...Donny is super special and his This Christmas deserves to be first! Loved the story!

@yarukineez0 Год назад

Count me in! Absolutely the efforts you put into these videos and spreading awareness for the culture

@cliffordporter9086 Год назад

Best Christmas song ever!!!

@mischievousjr.9299 Год назад

Dayuum this sound track is criminally Underrated imo I've never heard of this track appreciate it for adding it to my yearly tracks to play for the seasons

@godivabaker6622 Год назад

It’s not Christmas until I hear this. I love this song so much I listen to it all year long.

@JoshuaMartelli Год назад

Thanks for reminding me of this classic B. Got it rolling right now. Will leave it going through NYE! Let's do this!!

@diggingthegreats Год назад

YES!!!

@JoshuaMartelli Год назад

Question - if we want to double down does it matter which version we buy on iTunes?

@joshualawrence7785 Год назад

Always hear this everywhere during Christmas

@TheTheoTherone Год назад

Hello from January! Love this song! 2023 ya'll! This plan is genius!!!! LET'S GO!!!!

@Sean72_ Год назад

This Christmas is the BEST Christmas song ever written and sung in my opinion! You can play that song at anytime of the year and it'll feel like Christmas...NO other Christmas song does that.

@mercyrn35 Год назад

I love your channel!❤️🔥❤️

@laidback93 Год назад

This Christmas always gets a lot of plays in our house every year, but we're going to do our part to get this on the Top 50 list! Just have to say that I'm so happy that I found this channel, it's definitely my new favorite. I follow a lot of music channels, but yours is tailor made for me! Keep up the amazing work!

@AnnFlori Год назад

Love the song!

@jjutt87 Год назад

Excellent video - 7min - 👌🏽👏🏽👍🏼📹💯🔥

@jusherbtv 5 месяцев назад

Just seeing this and it’s still dope!

@muten771 Год назад

never heard of this song before but I’m glad I know of it now! Great vid again man!!

@diggingthegreats Год назад

This is what it's about! This song is so good!

@JC20XX Год назад

My workplace plays the radio so I've heard this a few times a day for a couple weeks now and it truly is one of the best.

@diggingthegreats Год назад

Get that playlist going at work 😂

@octothorpe12 Год назад

Word. THE best Christmas song.

@OlegsLoops Год назад

Nice information my friend 👍🏼👍🏼 Great video

@jorgereynolds3237 Год назад

been trying to tell everyone this for years…thank you!!!

@thomasbrown3356 Год назад

This song came out when I was 5 years old. I was probably unwrapping a gift, under the pine Christmas Tree, when I first heard it. This tune brings back some good Christmas memories.