Mary Did You Know Movie 2013
Music enthusiast FlourishAnyway introduces some fun contest into the holidays by ranking cover versions of popular Christmas songs.
Some of the best-known Christmas songs accept been covered past a multifariousness of artists. Nosotros look at Michael English's classic tune "Mary, Did You Know?" and rank 14 contenders. Who do YOU adopt?
TerriC via Pixabay, Complimentary Domain, modified by FlourishAnyway
"Mary, Did You lot Know?" Is a Controversial New Favorite
You lot don't have to exist Christian or even religious to capeesh the raw emotion of this popular vocal'southward lyrics, but it certainly helps. Awestruck that Mary gave birth to Christ, the narrator asks her a series of 18 questions about whether she realized at the time the full magnitude of the miracle she was participating in:
Mary, did y'all know that your baby boy will someday walk on water?
Mary, did you know that your baby male child volition save our sons and daughters?
Did you lot know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered, volition soon deliver you?
Virtually of the states know that songwriters take artistic license with their lyrics. However, Biblical purists still object to the song's delineation of Mary equally anything less than a fully knowledgeable party.
As a upshot, naysayers have disparaged this song every bit "biblically illiterate" and "the hymn that cancels Christmas."1,ii Another critic chosen it "typically Protestant in sensibility . . . emphasizing Mary's 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 you with the songs and let you decide for yourself.
The 1991 tune was first released by American Christian artist Michael English, and in the ensuing years, artists of multiple genres take stepped upwards to cover it. With so many musicians recording "Mary, Did You Know?", perhaps you lot wonder, "Who sang it best?" If so, and then here's your chance to compare their efforts.
"Who Sang It Best?": Hither'southward How It Works
With many artists singing the same Christmas tunes, the sleigh has go 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. Then we nowadays a set of contenders, artists who accept released cover versions in whatever genre. Some encompass versions honor the original creative person's style while others are reinterpretations.
Since the original song version is typically considered "the standard," we don't include information technology in our overall rankings. Instead, nosotros display it first for comparing, with upward to 14 contenders presented next in ranked club. Vote on your preferences:
- Do you prefer the original vocal or a cover version?
- Which of the comprehend versions practise you prefer?
"Mary, Did You Know?" by Michael English language (1991)
Michael English'southward career in gospel music once flew high as both a solo artist and a vocalist in two Christian groups, The Gaither Vocal Ring and Beginning Call. The Southern gospel singer released this original Christmas song equally a role of his 1991 debut anthology, and information technology has since get a holiday classic.
Scandal, however, brought his career to a full stop in 1994. Ironically, this was only a week after English language had won four Dove awards from the Gospel Music Association (GMA) and before long after completing a successful tour for unwed mothers. The woman English had been having an extramarital affair with was pregnant with his kid. Both were married to other people.
There was an image to consider, so English publicly apologized and returned his Dove awards to the GMA in shame. He divorced and stayed out of the public centre for several years before successfully returning to gospel music several years later with the help of famous friends and fellow musicians.
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Although the vocal itself is lovely, I found English'due south performance of this original Christmas song to be guarded. I wished that he had opened upwards his vocalisation to sing the song "loud and proud." Additionally, the melody'due south electronic vibe is retro 1990s and doesn't fit the mood conveyed by song'due south lyrics. There is enough of room to improve on this modernistic Christmas classic!
i. "Mary, Did Y'all Know?" by Pentatonix (2014)
The real test of whether someone tin can sing is to strip away the instrumentals and allow them sink or swim on the elementary merits of their vocals. Based on this 2014 cover version of "Mary, Did You Know?", Grammy Award-winning a capella grouping Pentatonix clearly deserves all the hype that surrounds them.
Pentatonix is a quintet formed in 2011, subsequently winning the tertiary season of the NBC a cappella contest, The Sing Off. The group has since gained international prominence, peculiarly for covers of pop and Christmas songs. Pentatonix's music also represents a significant presence on YouTube with total views over v billion.
In their comprehend of "Mary, Did You Know?", the musical group uses the diversity 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, peculiarly as contrasted to a single querying narrator.
Pentatonix'southward book in the Christmas tune ranges from a hushed, empathic whisper to soaring, harmonic celebration. This diverseness adds emotional depth. In add-on, specially pleasing are the instrumental-like vocal effects and the resplendent displays of vocal harmony. Birthday, Pentatonix's impressive functioning of this new Christmas classic opens the song up to a more general audience.
two. "Mary, Did Y'all Know?" by Peter Hollens (2016)
Unless you hang out on YouTube, you lot may not have heard the compelling voice of Peter Hollens, a classically trained American vocaliser who has earned recognition on social media for his music covers of popular songs. Hollens has participated in NBC'southward The Sing Off, has released EPs of his music, and has made a guest appearance in a Broadway show. He also actively publishes an extensive library of creative a capella YouTube videos that is worth following.
Vocally, Peter Hollens' 2016 a capella cover of "Mary, Did Y'all Know?" is extremely audio, just it is the unusual video that volition make you do a serious double take. Equally the song narrator, Hollens begins in hushed tones. And then he chimes in with background vocals.
Await, what? Yeah, the twist is that this rendition's supporting vocals are all Peter Hollens' phonation, a betoken that is non lost on the YouTube viewer who sees 5 Peter Hollens doppelgängers joining the original. The offset time it happened, I idea he had a twin. The second time information technology happened, I was like, "Wait just a minute! All these guys look eerily alike." You lot'll want to watch this mindbending artistic experience more than in one case.
three. "Mary, Did You Know?" by Canticle Lights (2017)
I similar the pianoforte accompaniment and soft song harmonies offered by Christian boy band Canticle Lights in this 2017 version of "Mary, Did You Know?" Their voices convey the song'due south rich emotional texture without rise so much that the narrator is overwrought. It'south as if the immature men questioning Mary understand that there'southward a sleeping baby present.
The group was formed in 2011 and was previously known as Yellowish Cavalier. They accept released several EPs that have performed solidly on the Christian song charts.
four. "Mary, Did Yous Know?" by Danny Gokey (2015)
Former American Idol contestant Danny Gokey delivers a slow, earnest treatment of "Mary, Did Y'all Know?" in this 2015 encompass of the Christmas tune. Violins provide a cute complement to Gokey'southward vocals, and although much of the song enjoys hushed tones, there are notable crescendos that include a choir-backed celebration of the Savior's nascence.
Gokey's version constitute success on the US Christian music charts. A former church music director, he has returned to Christian and gospel music in his mail service-American Idol career following a period of recording country music.
five. "Mary, Did You lot Know?" by Voctave (Featuring Marking Lowry) (2016)
Have the angels gathered themselves around Mary? In this 2016 cover version of "Mary, Did You lot Know?", it sounds as if that is the case. 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 vocaliser-songwriter and comedian, and he is joined by the lyrical force of Voctave, an 11-member a capella grouping. Voctave'due south grouping members accept professional person roots every bit Walt Disney Earth entertainers.
Lowry's lyrics for "Mary, Did You Know?" began in 1984 when he was requested to write a script for a church building Christmas play. The result was a listing of questions that he wished to ask Mother Mary.
Past 1991, Lowry constitute a collaborator to add the musical score. Although he immune fellow Gaither Song Ring vocalist Michael English to beginning record this song, Lowry has released his own version of it several times over the years. This 2016 version with Voctave is specially noteworthy.
half dozen. "Mary, Did You lot Know?" by Jordan Smith (2016)
Inside minutes of condign bachelor on the iTunes store, Hashemite kingdom of jordan Smith'due south cover of this tune became a all-time-seller, knocking Adele's "Hello" out of the top spot. Jordan Smith was the winner of season nine of The Voice.
Smith'due south rendition hither receives bonus points because information technology'south in front of a live audience. With its soaring high notes, this impressive cover conveys an inquisitive, wonderstruck narrator most brought to his knees with emotion regarding Mary and the newborn Prince of Peace.
7. "Mary, Did You Know?" by Mary J. Blige (2013)
It'southward refreshing to hear a female solo of this song, specially when it's by someone every bit talented as Mary J. Blige, Queen of Hip-Hop Soul. The Grammy Honor-winning vocaliser-songwriter and actress treats listeners to a tender, soothing rendition of "Mary, Did Yous Know?"
Her cover of the vocal features a narrator who empathizes deeply with the experience of Jesus' mother ("Oh, Mary, Mary, Mary"). Although Blige doesn't verbalize a couple of the lyrics, the total result of her vocal effort is convincing, as she holds no emotion back.
8. "Mary, Did You Know?" by Kathy Mattea (1993)
Known for her traditional country sound, Mattea won a Grammy for Proficient News, the Christmas anthology that her cover of "Mary, Did You lot Know?" appeared on. She was one of the first major artists to cover the Christian tune and bring it to a more than mainstream audience.
In her 1993 country version of "Mary, Did You lot Know?", Kathy Mattea's voice is not too sweet just instead filled with experience and feeling, merely as this song requires. The guitar instrumentals are not equally effective as some of the instrumental effects used in other songs, but particularly if you appreciate traditional state music, y'all'll relish her version.
ix. "Mary, Did You Know?" by Cee Lo Green (2012)
This cover of "Mary, Did You lot Know?" is a far cry from some of CeeLo Green's other artistic endeavors. CeeLo Light-green is a Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, record producer, and former estimate on NBC'due south The Voice.
There were points at which I struggled to hear his distinctive voice to a higher place the instrumentals. (Project your powerful voice, Cee Lo! The groundwork music is taking center stage!) In spite of this, the 2012 tune performed well on the R&B charts. It was as well used for the endmost credits in the 2014 major motion pic, Son of God.
10. "Mary, Did You Know?" by Clay Aiken (2004)
Click, click, click. I could take done without the distracting finger snapping in this otherwise tender, sincere cover version. American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken doesn't take many vocal risks here, simply he delivers a solid performance. One of the most successful Idol alumni, Aiken found several years of moderate success in country music then seemed to slip from the airwaves.
This cover version appeared on his Merry Christmas with Dearest album, the acknowledged Christmas album of 2004 and all-time-selling Christian album of 2005.
xi. "Mary, Did You Know?" by Zara Larsson (2017)
Young Swedish vocalist Zara Larsson lends her song talent to this 2017 rendition. She recorded it for the soundtrack of The Star, a Christian reckoner-animated one-act 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 it out with equal ease, and her innocent audio tin can assistance tranquility critics who fence that the narrator'southward questions are inappropriate. Larsson can easily convince the listener that she is inquiring out of a sense of naiveté and fascination.
12. "Mary, Did You Know?" past Sanam (2014)
There aren't as well many Christmas songs almost the birth of the Holy Savior that feature electric guitar riffs and Eastern-influenced instrumentals. However, this cover "Mary, Did You Know?" by Sanam, hailed as Republic of india's One Direction, manages to do precisely that.
13. "Mary, Did You Know?" by Rascal Flatts (2010)
Although I'm typically the first to line upwards behind anything released by superstar country grouping Rascal Flatts, their cover of "Mary, Did You Know?" is an exception. I found the vocals to exist overly nasal and wished they had more consistently hit the high notes more finer. For a better executed Christmas song by Rascal Flatts—a group that is a perennial audience favorite amidst state music fans—instead try "I'll Be Abode for Christmas" (2009).
14. "Mary, Did You lot Know?" by Kenny Rogers and Wynonna Judd (1996)
Country musician Kenny Rogers is one of the best-selling musical artists of all time. He is the winner of multiple Grammy and other prestigious awards, including a lifetime achievement honor. Unfortunately, however, this rendition of "Mary, Did Y'all Know?" is not his all-time work. Sadly, Rogers' voice is flat and unlively, equally if he'southward bored with the questions he's asking Mary.
Thankfully, Wynonna significantly amps up the free energy, emotional depth, and quality of the overall encompass vocal with her richly textured vocals. (I'd love to hear a solo version from Wynonna.) Unfortunately, with then many other remarkable covers of this vocal, yous'd probably have to be a fan of either of these artists to choose this version over the many other superior alternatives available.
Sources
aneScheer, H. (2016, December 21). Why 'Mary Did You lot Know' Is The Most Biblically Illiterate Christmas Melody. 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-yous-know/
3Greydanus, S. D. (2015, December 24). What Did Mary Know and When Did She Know It? Retrieved from http://www.ncregister.com/blog/steven-greydanus/what-did-mary-know
© 2018 FlourishAnyway
FlourishAnyway (author) from United states of america on May 26, 2020:
Deni - Thank you for your perspective.
Deni on May 26, 2020:
Cimorelli .... even better organisation then pentatonix. Astonishing
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on March 29, 2020:
Peggy - I'm non religious, but I honey information technology too! Information technology actually touches me. Glad you enjoyed the various renditions.
Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on March 28, 2020:
I dearest this vocal! Many people sing information technology beautifully. I am listening to the last music video correct now.
FlourishAnyway (writer) from USA on December 25, 2019:
Millicent - Thanks for chiming in.
FlourishAnyway (author) from United states on December 25, 2019:
Angie - Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Millicent on Dec 24, 2019:
CeeLo Green - most powerful & moving
Angie on December 24, 2019:
Amy Grant
FlourishAnyway (writer) from USA on December 17, 2019:
RADinNH - Thanks for expressing your favorites.
RADinNH on December 16, 2019:
No 1 comes close to Marking Lowry on his ain, he sings this with such feeling, he doesn't need the group with him, Guy Penrod is also amazing with this song and Vince Gil does a pretty good rendition.
FlourishAnyway (writer) from USA on Dec fifteen, 2019:
Thanks, Ron!
ron on December 14, 2019:
Mark puts the MOST feeling in the song!
FlourishAnyway (author) from United states of america on December 07, 2019:
Kim A. - I appreciate your chiming in with your favorite.
Kim A. on Dec 07, 2019:
Kutless version is fantastic!!
FlourishAnyway (writer) from USA on November 29, 2019:
Heather - Thanks for your comment. Have a wonderful holiday season.
Heather Pitman on November 28, 2019:
Natalie Cole performed an amazing version of Mary Did You Know
FlourishAnyway (writer) from Usa on October 27, 2019:
Keith - Thanks for chiming in with your favorite.
Keith on October 26, 2019:
Straight No Chaser did a keen version, too!
FlourishAnyway (writer) from Usa on May thirty, 2019:
JD - Thanks for weighing in.
JD on May thirty, 2019:
David Phelps
FlourishAnyway (writer) from Us on Dec 13, 2018:
Sraynaes - Thanks for alerting usa to this i! Merry Christmas!
Sraynaes on Dec 12, 2018:
The Braxton version
Is better than all the above
FlourishAnyway (author) from United states on December 12, 2018:
Shauna - Thank you for such a thoughtful comment. It is sometimes difficult to decide on a favorite for some of these holiday songs. Hope you are doing bully this Christmas season and feeling the beloved of the holiday spirit.
Shauna 50 Bowling from Central Florida on December 12, 2018:
Flourish, I had a really hard time choosing. I love Pentatonix and anything they practise. I besides enjoyed CeeLo's rendition, although I'k personally not a fan of his. Sanam's version is amazing. However, I take to get with Clay Aiken for the simple fact that his video told the story best. His is the simply one that features Jesus and all the wonder he'southward brought this world. I thought it was very well done, and Clay'south voice sets the mood, despite the finger snapping.
By the mode, "Mary, Did You Know?" and "The Lilliputian Drummer Boy" are my favorite Christmas songs.
FlourishAnyway (author) from U.s. on December 06, 2018:
Linda - I'g happy you enjoyed this. I accept enjoyed learning more than nigh the artists and their backgrounds as well as nigh 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 (writer) from USA on December 05, 2018:
Tim - I'm glad that he didn't deny having thing and reject the child he fathered. He had some pretty big proper name friends aid him in getting back into Christian music.
FlourishAnyway (writer) from USA on December 05, 2018:
Liz - It'south very surprising, isn't it? Thank you for stopping by.
FlourishAnyway (author) from Us on Dec 05, 2018:
Venkatachari Thousand - I'm glad you enjoyed this article and the diverse versions. With my next "Who Sang It All-time?", at that place's quite a multifariousness of effort and genres (shockingly so!). Take a wonderful week.
FlourishAnyway (author) from United states on December 05, 2018:
Dora - I agree that it's hard to beat Pentatonix when they're on top of their game! They certainly were splendid with this vocal. Thank you for chiming in! Hope your vacation flavor is a happy one thus far.
Dora Weithers from The Caribbean on December 05, 2018:
Cute vocal! Was not aware of the controversy. I retrieve the Pentatonix volition become my vote on every song they sing.
Tim Truzy from U.Due south.A. on December 05, 2018:
Hi, Flourish,
I love the Pintatonix version. It tops the original in my view. I also like Clay's version, but I can hear a story ameliorate in the Pentatonix tale.
Great work.
I'thou lamentable about what happened to Michael English language, I judge he didn't know. At that place'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 there were so many covers done of the same vocal.
Shawindi Silva from Sri lanka on December 05, 2018:
Thank you and then much and I wish you the same.
Venkatachari M from Hyderabad, India on December 05, 2018:
A not bad article presenting the diverse styles of singing the wonderful song "Mary did you know?". I enjoyed well-nigh of them and it is hard to cull anyone equally the best.
FlourishAnyway (author) from U.s. on December 05, 2018:
Shawindi - I'm glad you enjoyed this. Thank you for weighing in. May you accept a joyous December.
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on December 05, 2018:
Mary - It is a pretty vocal. Cheers for stopping by to compare the various efforts of the singers who sung their versions. Promise you're having a marvelous vacation season.
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 song. Each one has its own merit and I came to appreciate the song.
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on December 04, 2018:
Linda - Isn't it compelling? Try singing it. Gosh, I found information technology challenging to sing well. Although I don't often listen to a capella music, I'd say the amend a capella versions probably could not have been improved with instrumentals. They were so good. I'll put on the Christmas music and you bring u.s. all some cookies from your kitchen, CarbDiva. Maybe we'll become Bill to dress as Santa.
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on December 04, 2018:
Bill - The very showtime fourth dimension I heard this, it was Cee Lo's version and I was really taken with it. Glad you lot enjoyed the variations presented. Promise you lot're doing well on that urban farm. Write us something good when you have time.
FlourishAnyway (writer) from USA on December 04, 2018:
Yves - I was surprised at how expert their performance was. Even though they were ranked way downwardly on the list, everyone was good with this song. That isn't always the case! I had never heard of them and was glad to acquire most them while doing my research. I was also surprised that people can get so riled up over a song non being so literally representative. To each his or her own! Thanks for weighing in. Hope you're jingle belling your style through the holiday happily so far.
Yves on Dec 04, 2018:
Listened to all the choices and to my surprise and delight, I voted for Sanam. They did a smashing interpretation of the vocal. I was rather transfixed, actually. Enjoyed the story behind this remarkable vocal, too. It's rather funny that some purists cannot enjoy the lyrics, but at least that doesn't finish the rest of us from appreciating this "typically Protestant" song. Lol.
FlourishAnyway (author) from Us on Dec 04, 2018:
Chitangada - Everybody on this Christmas song did pretty well, and it was hard to rank them. At that place are some great covers to cull from. I promise y'all are having a lovely December to remember.
FlourishAnyway (writer) from United states on December 04, 2018:
Shannon - I didn't discover Reba'due south version until it was too tardily. HP only seems to be able to handle nigh 15 videos from a page load standpoint and so I have to limit my number of contenders. I figured that information technology would non be very fruitful to offer a name and comments on this type of ranking commodity without the accompanying video, so I express the field to 15 total. I'll go cheque out what I missed with Reba.
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on December 04, 2018:
Pamela - It's a beautiful song. I wasn't aware of the controversy before I did my research for this article. That's such a shame. Thank you for reading!
Linda Lum from Washington State, 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 The netherlands from Olympia, WA on December 04, 2018:
My favorite Christmas vocal....Smith or Mattea....although I'll listen to anyone singing this stunningly beautiful song.
Chitrangada Sharan from New Delhi, Bharat on Dec 04, 2018:
What a beautiful collection of songs. I listened to some of your videos. Information technology'southward difficult to choose, ane favourite.
Cheers for sharing this wonderful article, with wonderful collection of videos. Then well timed, for the holidays and the upcoming festivals.
Thanks for sharing!
Shannon Henry from Texas on December 04, 2018:
Oh, good one! This is definitely a song that is not sung best by the original artist. I'm blown away by all the fantabulous alternatives you present! Although, I concur with your assessment of most of them and I was surprised to find that I didn't care for the Rascal Flatts version (non just because it isn't the normal lead vocalist singing it). It is very nasally, you're right. The first version of the vocal I personally ever heard was Kathy Mattea, I call back. Or maybe Reba's. I really like Reba'due south version, likewise. I'd love to hear Wynonna practise a version by herself. She sounded beautiful singing it. Pentatonix is actually not my favorite, though I practice like the different narrators in their version. I guess I'm saying that I think this song is difficult to choose a best. I'll mark "other" in favor of Reba, though.
Pamela Oglesby from Sunny Florida on December 04, 2018:
It is nearly impossible to selection the very best redition of this cute song. I thought Pentatonix sang it beautifull, but some others were every bit as good. I hold with your comments well-nigh some of the artists or groups, such every bit non liking the snapping fingers. I love this song, which made this a fun article to read and listen to.
FlourishAnyway (author) from Us on December 04, 2018:
John, Thanks for stopping past. There wasn't a bad one in the mix hither, just variations of good. (It'due south not always the case with some Christmas songs.) I hope your holiday flavour is off to a smashing starting time. Merry Christmas!
John Hansen from Gondwana Land on December 03, 2018:
What a bully collection of embrace versions you lot take hither, Flourish. The original pales in comparison to most. I chose Pentatonix every bit my favourite merely it was and so hard to choose the best. I also loved Zara Larsson'south version as well every bit Voctave, Peter Hollens, Anthem Lights and Sanam.
Slap-up song to compare versions of.
Source: https://spinditty.com/playlists/Who-Sang-It-Best-Mary-Did-You-Know
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