December 9, 1970 - Donny Hathaway releases "This Christmas"
It may be the most popular soul music Christmas song ever. Donny Hathaway's "This Christmas" has become a radio staple and has been remade by artists over the years for a good reason: it really is a great Christmas song. And there is no one who has improved on the original.
It's tough to believe that it has been over a half century since Hathaway released this classic.
Back in 2020, in honor of the iconic song's golden anniversary, Rhino Records asked famed cartoonist Lonnie Milsap to animate a music video for it. The resulting short is a loving look at both the song and Hathaway's career, with passing notes to many of his other projects (such as the "Everything is Donuts" and "He Ain't Heavy Gym" retail fronts), as well as his family (the singer is greeted at his decorated home by his wife and two daughters).
December 9, 1970 - Donny Hathaway releases "This Christmas"
It may be the most popular soul music Christmas song ever. Donny Hathaway's "This Christmas" has become a radio staple and has been remade by artists over the years for a good reason: it really is a great Christmas song. And there is no one who has improved on the original.
It's tough to believe that it has been over a half century since Hathaway released this classic.
Back in 2020, in honor of the iconic song's golden anniversary, Rhino Records asked famed cartoonist Lonnie Milsap to animate a music video for it. The resulting short is a loving look at both the song and Hathaway's career, with passing notes to many of his other projects (such as the "Everything is Donuts" and "He Ain't Heavy Gym" retail fronts), as well as his family (the singer is greeted at his decorated home by his wife and two daughters).
The video was a nice touch that again reminded us of the heavy influence that Hathaway had on the music world...and on the holidays. And today we celebrate it all over again, and it feels like the first time.
Donny Hathaway - "This Christmas"