Mary Did You Know American Idol
Music enthusiast FlourishAnyway introduces some fun competition into the holidays past ranking cover versions of popular Christmas songs.
Some of the best-known Christmas songs have been covered by a diversity of artists. Nosotros look at Michael English'due south classic tune "Mary, Did You Know?" and rank fourteen contenders. Who do You prefer?
TerriC via Pixabay, Free Domain, modified past FlourishAnyway
"Mary, Did You Know?" Is a Controversial New Favorite
Yous don't have to be Christian or fifty-fifty religious to appreciate the raw emotion of this popular song'due south lyrics, just it certainly helps. Nonplussed that Mary gave birth to Christ, the narrator asks her a serial of 18 questions about whether she realized at the time the full magnitude of the miracle she was participating in:
Mary, did you know that your infant boy will someday walk on h2o?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did y'all know that your baby boy has come to make yous new?
This child that yous've delivered, will shortly deliver you?
Near of us know that songwriters have creative license with their lyrics. However, Biblical purists withal object to the song'southward delineation of Mary as anything less than a fully knowledgeable party.
As a outcome, naysayers have disparaged this song equally "biblically illiterate" and "the hymn that cancels Christmas."1,2 Some other critic called it "typically Protestant in sensibility . . . emphasizing Mary'southward ordinariness rather than her extraordinariness."3 Whoa! Throwing shade over a baby Jesus song? Rather than wade into that thorny thicket, I'll just present yous with the songs and let you decide for yourself.
The 1991 tune was first released past American Christian artist Michael English, and in the ensuing years, artists of multiple genres have stepped up to cover it. With so many musicians recording "Mary, Did You Know?", perhaps you lot wonder, "Who sang information technology best?" If and so, then here's your chance to compare their efforts.
"Who Sang It Best?": Here's How It Works
With many artists singing the same Christmas tunes, the sleigh has become overloaded. Let's rank them and cross some off the listing.
In the "Who Sang It Best?" series, we start with the original version of popular songs that have been covered multiple times. And so we present a set of contenders, artists who have released cover versions in any genre. Some embrace versions honor the original creative person's style while others are reinterpretations.
Since the original song version is typically considered "the standard," nosotros don't include it in our overall rankings. Instead, we brandish it first for comparison, with upwards to xiv contenders presented next in ranked order. Vote on your preferences:
- Exercise you prefer the original song or a cover version?
- Which of the cover versions do you prefer?
"Mary, Did Y'all Know?" by Michael English (1991)
Michael English's career in gospel music once flew high equally both a solo creative person and a vocalist in ii Christian groups, The Gaither Vocal Band and First Call. The Southern gospel singer released this original Christmas vocal equally a part of his 1991 debut album, and it has since become a vacation archetype.
Scandal, nevertheless, brought his career to a full cease in 1994. Ironically, this was just a week after English had won four Pigeon awards from the Gospel Music Clan (GMA) and shortly after completing a successful bout for unwed mothers. The woman English had been having an extramarital affair with was pregnant with his child. Both were married to other people.
There was an paradigm to consider, and so English publicly apologized and returned his Dove awards to the GMA in shame. He divorced and stayed out of the public eye for several years before successfully returning to gospel music several years later on with the aid of famous friends and fellow musicians.
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Although the song itself is lovely, I institute English's performance of this original Christmas song to exist guarded. I wished that he had opened up his voice to sing the song "loud and proud." Additionally, the tune's electronic vibe is retro 1990s and doesn't fit the mood conveyed by song's lyrics. There is enough of room to ameliorate on this modern Christmas classic!
one. "Mary, Did You lot Know?" past Pentatonix (2014)
The real test of whether someone tin sing is to strip abroad the instrumentals and let them sink or swim on the simple merits of their vocals. Based on this 2014 cover version of "Mary, Did You Know?", Grammy Award-winning a capella group Pentatonix clearly deserves all the hype that surrounds them.
Pentatonix is a quintet formed in 2011, afterwards winning the third season of the NBC a cappella contest, The Sing Off. The group has since gained international prominence, especially for covers of pop and Christmas songs. Pentatonix's music as well represents a pregnant presence on YouTube with total views over 5 billion.
In their cover of "Mary, Did You Know?", the musical group uses the diverseness of their collective vocal ranges to emphasize that a small gathering (rather than one inquisitive narrator) is in awe of Mary and her role. Each of the five vocalists asks her their gotta-know questions. Having multiple curious narrators magnifies the sense of wonder in this cover version, particularly as assorted to a unmarried querying narrator.
Pentatonix's volume in the Christmas melody ranges from a hushful, empathic whisper to soaring, harmonic celebration. This variety adds emotional depth. In addition, especially pleasing are the instrumental-like vocal effects and the resplendent displays of vocal harmony. Altogether, Pentatonix'due south impressive performance of this new Christmas classic opens the song up to a more than full general audition.
2. "Mary, Did You Know?" by Peter Hollens (2016)
Unless y'all hang out on YouTube, you may non accept heard the compelling voice of Peter Hollens, a classically trained American vocalist who has earned recognition on social media for his music covers of pop songs. Hollens has participated in NBC's The Sing Off, has released EPs of his music, and has made a guest appearance in a Broadway show. He as well actively publishes an extensive library of creative a capella YouTube videos that is worth post-obit.
Vocally, Peter Hollens' 2016 a capella cover of "Mary, Did You Know?" is extremely sound, merely it is the unusual video that will make you do a serious double take. Equally the song narrator, Hollens begins in hushful tones. Then he chimes in with background vocals.
Wait, what? Aye, the twist is that this rendition's supporting vocals are all Peter Hollens' vox, a point that is non lost on the YouTube viewer who sees five Peter Hollens doppelgängers joining the original. The beginning time it happened, I thought he had a twin. The 2nd time information technology happened, I was like, "Await just a infinitesimal! All these guys expect eerily akin." Y'all'll want to watch this mindbending creative experience more than once.
iii. "Mary, Did You Know?" by Anthem Lights (2017)
I similar the piano accompaniment and soft song harmonies offered past Christian boy band Anthem Lights in this 2017 version of "Mary, Did You Know?" Their voices convey the song's rich emotional texture without ascent and so much that the narrator is overwrought. It'south as if the young men questioning Mary understand that at that place's a sleeping infant nowadays.
The group was formed in 2011 and was previously known as Yellow Condescending. They have released several EPs that have performed solidly on the Christian song charts.
iv. "Mary, Did Y'all Know?" by Danny Gokey (2015)
Former American Idol contestant Danny Gokey delivers a tiresome, earnest treatment of "Mary, Did Yous Know?" in this 2015 cover of the Christmas tune. Violins provide a beautiful complement to Gokey'south vocals, and although much of the song enjoys hushful tones, there are notable crescendos that include a choir-backed celebration of the Savior's birth.
Gokey's version found success on the U.s.a. Christian music charts. A former church music director, he has returned to Christian and gospel music in his mail service-American Idol career post-obit a period of recording country music.
v. "Mary, Did You Know?" by Voctave (Featuring Marker Lowry) (2016)
Have the angels gathered themselves around Mary? In this 2016 cover version of "Mary, Did You Know?", it sounds equally if that is the example. Slowly and delicately, they pepper her with questions.
Mark Lowry, co-writer of the original song, leads this gorgeous, fully expressive encompass of the Christmas favorite. Lowry is an American Christian singer-songwriter and comedian, and he is joined past the lyrical force of Voctave, an 11-fellow member a capella group. Voctave's group members have professional roots every bit Walt Disney World entertainers.
Lowry's lyrics for "Mary, Did Y'all Know?" began in 1984 when he was requested to write a script for a church building Christmas play. The result was a list of questions that he wished to inquire Mother Mary.
Past 1991, Lowry found a collaborator to add the musical score. Although he immune boyfriend Gaither Vocal Band vocalist Michael English to beginning record this song, Lowry has released his own version of information technology several times over the years. This 2016 version with Voctave is peculiarly noteworthy.
half-dozen. "Mary, Did You lot Know?" by Hashemite kingdom of jordan Smith (2016)
Inside minutes of becoming bachelor on the iTunes store, Jordan Smith's cover of this melody became a all-time-seller, knocking Adele's "Hello" out of the meridian spot. Jordan Smith was the winner of flavour nine of The Voice.
Smith'southward rendition here receives bonus points because it's in forepart of a live audience. With its soaring high notes, this impressive cover conveys an inquisitive, wonderstruck narrator nearly brought to his knees with emotion regarding Mary and the newborn Prince of Peace.
7. "Mary, Did You Know?" by Mary J. Blige (2013)
Information technology's refreshing to hear a female solo of this song, especially when it'due south by someone as talented equally Mary J. Blige, Queen of Hip-Hop Soul. The Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and actress treats listeners to a tender, soothing rendition of "Mary, Did You Know?"
Her cover of the song features a narrator who empathizes deeply with the feel of Jesus' mother ("Oh, Mary, Mary, Mary"). Although Blige doesn't enunciate a couple of the lyrics, the total effect of her vocal attempt is convincing, every bit she holds no emotion back.
eight. "Mary, Did You Know?" by Kathy Mattea (1993)
Known for her traditional country audio, Mattea won a Grammy for Good News, the Christmas anthology that her cover of "Mary, Did You Know?" appeared on. She was 1 of the get-go major artists to cover the Christian tune and bring it to a more mainstream audience.
In her 1993 country version of "Mary, Did You Know?", Kathy Mattea's voice is not too sweet simply instead filled with experience and feeling, only as this song requires. The guitar instrumentals are not as effective equally some of the instrumental furnishings used in other songs, but particularly if you appreciate traditional country music, you'll relish her version.
9. "Mary, Did Yous Know?" by Cee Lo Green (2012)
This cover of "Mary, Did You Know?" is a far weep from some of CeeLo Green's other creative endeavors. CeeLo Green is a Grammy Laurels-winning singer-songwriter, record producer, and former guess on NBC's The Voice.
There were points at which I struggled to hear his distinctive voice above the instrumentals. (Project your powerful voice, Cee Lo! The groundwork music is taking center stage!) In spite of this, the 2012 melody performed well on the R&B charts. Information technology was likewise used for the endmost credits in the 2014 major motion motion-picture show, Son of God.
10. "Mary, Did You Know?" by Dirt Aiken (2004)
Click, click, click. I could have washed without the distracting finger snapping in this otherwise tender, sincere encompass version. American Idol runner-upwards Clay Aiken doesn't take many vocal risks hither, just he delivers a solid performance. Ane of the most successful Idol alumni, Aiken found several years of moderate success in land music then seemed to sideslip from the airwaves.
This cover version appeared on his Merry Christmas with Love album, the best-selling Christmas album of 2004 and best-selling Christian album of 2005.
11. "Mary, Did You Know?" past Zara Larsson (2017)
Young Swedish singer Zara Larsson lends her vocal talent to this 2017 rendition. She recorded it for the soundtrack of The Star, a Christian computer-animated comedy film portraying the birth.
Larsson's youthful voice meshes perfectly with the innocent questions that the narrator asks Mary. Larsson adeptly leaps from soft tones to belting information technology out with equal ease, and her innocent sound can help quiet critics who argue that the narrator's questions are inappropriate. Larsson tin easily convince the listener that she is inquiring out of a sense of naiveté and fascination.
12. "Mary, Did You Know?" by Sanam (2014)
At that place aren't too many Christmas songs about the birth of the Holy Savior that feature electric guitar riffs and Eastern-influenced instrumentals. However, this comprehend "Mary, Did Y'all Know?" past Sanam, hailed every bit India's One Management, manages to do precisely that.
xiii. "Mary, Did You Know?" by Rascal Flatts (2010)
Although I'm typically the offset to line up backside anything released by superstar country group Rascal Flatts, their comprehend of "Mary, Did You Know?" is an exception. I found the vocals to be overly nasal and wished they had more consistently striking the loftier notes more effectively. For a meliorate executed Christmas song by Rascal Flatts—a group that is a perennial audience favorite amidst country music fans—instead try "I'll Be Habitation for Christmas" (2009).
14. "Mary, Did You Know?" past Kenny Rogers and Wynonna Judd (1996)
Country musician Kenny Rogers is one of the best-selling musical artists of all fourth dimension. He is the winner of multiple Grammy and other prestigious awards, including a lifetime accomplishment award. Unfortunately, however, this rendition of "Mary, Did Yous Know?" is not his best piece of work. Sadly, Rogers' vocalism is flat and unlively, as if he'due south bored with the questions he'south asking Mary.
Thankfully, Wynonna significantly amps up the energy, emotional depth, and quality of the overall embrace song with her richly textured vocals. (I'd beloved to hear a solo version from Wynonna.) Unfortunately, with so many other remarkable covers of this song, you'd probably take to be a fan of either of these artists to choose this version over the many other superior alternatives available.
Sources
iScheer, H. (2016, December 21). Why 'Mary Did Yous Know' Is The Most Biblically Illiterate Christmas Tune. Retrieved from http://thefederalist.com/2016/12/21/mary-know-biblically-illiterate-christmas-tune/
2Fr Robert McTeigue, SJ. (2017, June 8). The Problem With "Mary Did You Know". Retrieved from https://aleteia.org/2015/12/09/the-trouble-with-mary-did-you lot-know/
3Greydanus, S. D. (2015, December 24). What Did Mary Know and When Did She Know It? Retrieved from http://www.ncregister.com/weblog/steven-greydanus/what-did-mary-know
© 2018 FlourishAnyway
FlourishAnyway (author) from U.s.a. on May 26, 2020:
Deni - Thank you for your perspective.
Deni on May 26, 2020:
Cimorelli .... even better arrangement then pentatonix. Astonishing
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on March 29, 2020:
Peggy - I'1000 not religious, but I love information technology too! It really touches me. Glad you enjoyed the diverse renditions.
Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on March 28, 2020:
I dearest this song! Many people sing it beautifully. I am listening to the concluding music video right at present.
FlourishAnyway (author) from U.s.a. on December 25, 2019:
Millicent - Thanks for chiming in.
FlourishAnyway (author) from U.s.a. on December 25, 2019:
Angie - Cheers for stopping past and commenting.
Millicent on Dec 24, 2019:
CeeLo Green - most powerful & moving
Angie on December 24, 2019:
Amy Grant
FlourishAnyway (author) from United states of america on December 17, 2019:
RADinNH - Thanks for expressing your favorites.
RADinNH on December xvi, 2019:
No one comes close to Marker Lowry on his own, he sings this with such feeling, he doesn't need the group with him, Guy Penrod is also astonishing with this song and Vince Gil does a pretty good rendition.
FlourishAnyway (writer) from The states on December 15, 2019:
Thanks, Ron!
ron on Dec fourteen, 2019:
Mark puts the Nigh feeling in the song!
FlourishAnyway (author) from U.s. on December 07, 2019:
Kim A. - I appreciate your chiming in with your favorite.
Kim A. on December 07, 2019:
Kutless version is fantastic!!
FlourishAnyway (author) from Us on November 29, 2019:
Heather - Thanks for your comment. Take a wonderful holiday flavor.
Heather Pitman on November 28, 2019:
Natalie Cole performed an amazing version of Mary Did Yous Know
FlourishAnyway (author) from United states on October 27, 2019:
Keith - Thanks for chiming in with your favorite.
Keith on October 26, 2019:
Straight No Attorney did a great version, also!
FlourishAnyway (author) from U.s.a. on May xxx, 2019:
JD - Thanks for weighing in.
JD on May thirty, 2019:
David Phelps
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on December 13, 2018:
Sraynaes - Thank you for alerting the states to this one! Merry Christmas!
Sraynaes on December 12, 2018:
The Braxton version
Is improve than all the above
FlourishAnyway (writer) from USA on December 12, 2018:
Shauna - Cheers for such a thoughtful comment. It is sometimes hard to decide on a favorite for some of these vacation songs. Hope y'all are doing bang-up this Christmas season and feeling the love of the holiday spirit.
Shauna L Bowling from Central Florida on December 12, 2018:
Flourish, I had a really hard time choosing. I love Pentatonix and anything they do. I also enjoyed CeeLo's rendition, although I'm personally non a fan of his. Sanam's version is amazing. Notwithstanding, I have to go with Clay Aiken for the elementary fact that his video told the story all-time. His is the only ane that features Jesus and all the wonder he's brought this world. I thought information technology was very well done, and Dirt'southward voice sets the mood, despite the finger snapping.
By the manner, "Mary, Did You lot Know?" and "The Petty Drummer Boy" are my favorite Christmas songs.
FlourishAnyway (author) from Us on December 06, 2018:
Linda - I'thousand happy you enjoyed this. I have enjoyed learning more than about the artists and their backgrounds likewise as about the songs.
Linda Crampton from British Columbia, Canada on December 05, 2018:
I didn't know that the lyrics of the song were controversial. The Peter Hollens version is very interesting. Thanks for sharing his video and all of the others, Flourish.
FlourishAnyway (author) from Us on December 05, 2018:
Tim - I'm glad that he didn't deny having affair and reject the child he fathered. He had some pretty large proper name friends help him in getting back into Christian music.
FlourishAnyway (author) from U.s.a. on December 05, 2018:
Liz - It'southward very surprising, isn't it? Thank you for stopping by.
FlourishAnyway (author) from U.s.a. on December 05, 2018:
Venkatachari M - I'grand glad y'all enjoyed this article and the various versions. With my side by side "Who Sang It All-time?", there'south quite a multifariousness of effort and genres (shockingly so!). Have a wonderful week.
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on December 05, 2018:
Dora - I agree that it's hard to beat Pentatonix when they're on summit of their game! They certainly were splendid with this song. Give thanks y'all for chiming in! Hope your vacation flavour is a happy one thus far.
Dora Weithers from The Caribbean on December 05, 2018:
Cute song! Was not aware of the controversy. I call up the Pentatonix will get my vote on every song they sing.
Tim Truzy from U.s.a.A. on December 05, 2018:
Howdy, Flourish,
I love the Pintatonix version. Information technology tops the original in my view. I also like Clay's version, just I can hear a story better in the Pentatonix tale.
Great work.
I'm sad virtually what happened to Michael English, I guess he didn't know. There's something ironic there that makes you scratch your head with a large "hmm."
Sincerely,
Tim
Liz Westwood from Britain on December 05, 2018:
I never realised at that place were so many covers done of the same song.
Shawindi Silva from Sri lanka on December 05, 2018:
Thank you lot and then much and I wish you the same.
Venkatachari Chiliad from Hyderabad, India on December 05, 2018:
A great article presenting the various styles of singing the wonderful song "Mary did you know?". I enjoyed near of them and information technology is difficult to choose anyone as the best.
FlourishAnyway (author) from United states on December 05, 2018:
Shawindi - I'chiliad glad you lot enjoyed this. Thanks for weighing in. May you take a joyous December.
FlourishAnyway (author) from United states on December 05, 2018:
Mary - It is a pretty vocal. Thank yous for stopping by to compare the various efforts of the singers who sung their versions. Hope you're having a marvelous holiday flavour.
Shawindi Silva from Sri lanka on December 04, 2018:
I like your article, and Anthem Lights is my favorite.
Mary Norton from Ontario, Canada on December 04, 2018:
Enjoyed listening to these different renditions of the vocal. Each one has its own merit and I came to appreciate the song.
FlourishAnyway (author) from United states of america on December 04, 2018:
Linda - Isn't it compelling? Try singing information technology. Gosh, I establish it challenging to sing well. Although I don't often heed to a capella music, I'd say the improve a capella versions probably could not have been improved with instrumentals. They were then good. I'll put on the Christmas music and you bring us all some cookies from your kitchen, CarbDiva. Maybe nosotros'll get Bill to dress as Santa.
FlourishAnyway (writer) from Us on December 04, 2018:
Bill - The very get-go time I heard this, it was Cee Lo's version and I was actually taken with it. Glad you lot enjoyed the variations presented. Hope yous're doing well on that urban subcontract. Write the states something expert when y'all accept time.
FlourishAnyway (writer) from U.s. on December 04, 2018:
Yves - I was surprised at how good their functioning was. Fifty-fifty though they were ranked manner down on the list, anybody was good with this vocal. That isn't always the case! I had never heard of them and was glad to larn nigh them while doing my enquiry. I was as well surprised that people can get so riled up over a song not existence so literally representative. To each his or her ain! Thanks for weighing in. Hope you're jingle belling your way through the vacation happily and so far.
Yves on December 04, 2018:
Listened to all the choices and to my surprise and please, I voted for Sanam. They did a great estimation of the song. I was rather transfixed, actually. Enjoyed the story behind this remarkable vocal, too. It's rather funny that some purists cannot enjoy the lyrics, simply at least that doesn't stop the residue of united states from affectionate this "typically Protestant" song. Lol.
FlourishAnyway (writer) from USA on Dec 04, 2018:
Chitangada - Everybody on this Christmas song did pretty well, and it was hard to rank them. There are some not bad covers to cull from. I hope y'all are having a lovely Dec to recollect.
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on December 04, 2018:
Shannon - I didn't notice Reba'due south version until it was also tardily. HP only seems to be able to handle about xv videos from a folio load standpoint so I take to limit my number of contenders. I figured that it would not be very fruitful to offer a proper name and comments on this type of ranking article without the accompanying video, so I limited the field to 15 total. I'll get check out what I missed with Reba.
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on December 04, 2018:
Pamela - It'southward a beautiful song. I wasn't aware of the controversy before I did my enquiry for this article. That's such a shame. Give thanks you for reading!
Linda Lum from Washington Country, USA on December 04, 2018:
Flourish, this has become my new favorite Christmas song. There really isn't a bad version, but as a vocalist, I appreciate the acapella by Pentatonix.
Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on December 04, 2018:
My favorite Christmas song....Smith or Mattea....although I'll listen to anyone singing this stunningly cute song.
Chitrangada Sharan from New Delhi, India on December 04, 2018:
What a cute collection of songs. I listened to some of your videos. It'south difficult to choose, one favourite.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful article, with wonderful collection of videos. And so well timed, for the holidays and the upcoming festivals.
Thanks for sharing!
Shannon Henry from Texas on December 04, 2018:
Oh, proficient one! This is definitely a song that is not sung all-time past the original creative person. I'm blown away by all the excellent alternatives you nowadays! Although, I agree with your assessment of most of them and I was surprised to find that I didn't care for the Rascal Flatts version (not just because it isn't the normal atomic number 82 vocaliser singing it). It is very nasally, you're right. The first version of the song I personally ever heard was Kathy Mattea, I think. Or maybe Reba's. I actually similar Reba's version, likewise. I'd love to hear Wynonna do a version by herself. She sounded beautiful singing it. Pentatonix is actually non my favorite, though I practise like the different narrators in their version. I estimate I'thou maxim that I recall this vocal is difficult to cull a best. I'll marker "other" in favor of Reba, though.
Pamela Oglesby from Sunny Florida on December 04, 2018:
It is nearly impossible to pick the very all-time redition of this beautiful song. I thought Pentatonix sang information technology beautifull, merely some others were every bit as good. I concord with your comments virtually some of the artists or groups, such every bit not liking the snapping fingers. I dearest this song, which made this a fun article to read and listen to.
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on December 04, 2018:
John, Thanks for stopping by. In that location wasn't a bad ane in the mix here, just variations of good. (It's not always the case with some Christmas songs.) I hope your holiday season is off to a great start. Merry Christmas!
John Hansen from Gondwana State on Dec 03, 2018:
What a great collection of cover versions you have here, Flourish. The original pales in comparing to most. I chose Pentatonix as my favourite just it was so difficult to choose the best. I too loved Zara Larsson'due south version as well every bit Voctave, Peter Hollens, Anthem Lights and Sanam.
Great vocal to compare versions of.
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