Kelly Clarkson: The Christmas Song That Made Her ‘Cry My Face Off’

Author Nancy Brooks // Country Writer, Beasley Media Group

December 17th, 2021 10:02 AM

Kelly Clarkson has been sharing Christmas facts and fun on her Instagram, and she was asked “What Christmas song best describes your life right now?” She responded, “Well you should just listen to my new record ‘When Christmas Comes Around.’ It’s a range of emotions, and I feel like currently, there are a few songs on the record that are applicable right now, but I will say ‘Merry Christmas To The One I Used To Know’ is currently my favorite on the record.”

The chorus lyrics to the song read, “But I know when Christmas comes around / And the snow falls like a fresh start on the ground / You aren’t the one I’m missing, he left long ago / But Christmas eve my gift to me is dancing with your ghost / So Merry Christmas, to the one I used to know.”

See that post HERE.

Kelly said introducing this song in the YouTube video below, “When I wrote this song, I was crying my face off, which happens to everyone. I had just put my kids to bed, and I was going through it. It’s a really hard time, and it’s been a really tough year for us.”

25 Of Country Music’s Best Christmas Songs

• 25. “The Christmas Guest” – (1987) Reba McEntire – Merry Christmas To You

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  This song was written by Grand Ole Opry star Grandpa Jones and was a fan favorite on Reba’s very first Christmas album.

• 24. “Feliz Navidad” – (2016) Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood (2016) – Christmas Together

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  A Christmas song written and recorded in 1970 by Puerto Rican singer/songwriter José Feliciano. Garth and Trisha sang the song together at Disney Park’s Christmas celebration in 2016.

• 23. “Glow” – (2021) Kelly Clarkson with Chris Stapleton – When Christmas Comes Around…

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  It’s a brand new gem from Kelly’s newest Christmas album. Stapleton previously co-wrote a song for Clarkson with Justin Timberlake called “Born To Die” on the soundtrack to the feature film ‘Trolls World Tour.’
• 22. “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” (2007) Martina McBride – White Christmas (2007 Reissue)

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  A classic done to perfection. This was on Martina’s second reissue of her 1998 White Christmas album. She kept adding more songs with each reissue.

• 21. “Santa Looked a Lot Like Daddy” (2006) Brad Paisley – Brad Paisley Christmas

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  A song originally record in 1965 by Buck Owens. A true classic that has been done by Garth Brooks, Travis Tritt and even the cast of Duck Dynasty. Paisley, who was a friend of Buck for years before he died in 2006, does it best.

• 20. “Frosty the Snowman” (1986) George Strait – Merry Christmas Strait to You

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  George’s first Christmas album, this classic is pure Strait, a fun version of a song we all know the words to, thanks to Gene Autry.
• 19. “Run, Run Rudolph” (2008) Luke Bryan

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  Luke’s take on the Chuck Berry classic. Luke is one country star who has yet to do a whole Christmas album.

• 18. “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree (feat. Camila Cabello)” Kacey Musgraves (2019) – The Kacey Musgraves Christmas Show

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  A solid version of one of the best Christmas songs of all time. Kacey performed it with Camila on her Amazon holiday TV special.

• 17. “Winter Wonderland” (2012) Blake Shelton – Cheers, It’s Christmas

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  This song has been covered by so many country stars, but Blake’s is one of the best. Shelton reissued this album in 2017.
• 16. “O Holy Night” (1998) Martina McBride – White Christmas

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  Of all the versions of this song, Martina McBride’s 1998 version is still the very best. Which is saying something: the song has been around since 1847.

• 15. “Mary, Did You Know?” (2020) Dolly Parton – A Holly Dolly Christmas

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  This was the song Dolly released before the album and her version is so touching. The whole album is nominated for a Grammy at the upcoming 2022 show in January.

• 14. “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” (2016) Chris Young – It Must Be Christmas

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  Chris Young loves Christmas and a holiday album was on his wish list from the beginning of his career. In 2016, his wish came true and this is the highlight of the project.
• 13. “Baby It’s Cold Outside (feat. Ronnie Dunn)” (2013) Kelly Clarkson – Wrapped In Red

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  Kelly’s version with Ronnie Dunn rises to the top as their voices sound so natural together.

• 12. “The Christmas Song” (1987) Reba McEntire – Merry Christmas To You

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  Yeah, it’s that familiar song and Reba does it better than anyone.

• 11. “Little Drummer Boy (feat. Isaiah Fisher)” (2020) Carrie Underwood – My Gift

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  This song will make anyone smile and hearing Carrie’s young son sing with his mom is just adorable.
• 10. “Little Saint Nick” (2012) Lady A – On This Winter’s Night (Deluxe Version)

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  Charles Kelley’s singing of this classic Beach Boys Christmas song is infectious. It even holds up to the original.

• 9. “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” (2016) Brett Eldredge – Glow

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  This is only Brett’s third album and timed just right to show everyone just who is “Mr. Christmas” in country music. All the songs on this amazing album are great.

• 8. “Hell of a Holiday” (2021) Pistol Annies – Hell of a Holiday

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  The title track of this brand-new album from the Pistol Annies. This original song might just be a future holiday standard.
• 7. “Baby, It’s Cold Outside (feat. Meghan Trainor)” (2016) Brett Eldredge – Glow

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  Yes, we already included a version of this song by Kelly Clarkson and Ronnie Dunn, but Brett and Meghan Trainor’s version is just magical. It would have made Dean Martin proud.

• 6. “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” (2014) Darius Rucker – Home For the Holidays

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  A fun song and one that is rarely covered. Darius said when the album came out, "I am so excited to finally make a Christmas album. This has been a lifelong dream, and I hope my fans enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed making it."

• 5. “A Holly Jolly Christmas” (2012) Lady A – On This Winter’s Night

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  One of my all-time favorite Christmas songs and Lady A’s version of the song is one I put on repeat. Hillary Scott sings with such fun and excitement in her voice on their version. It’s a mood lifter for sure.
• 4. “I’ll Be Your Santa Tonight” (2019) Keith Urban

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  Keith Urban needs to do a holiday album if all the songs on it will be as good as this Christmas single he released in 2019.

• 3. “A Christmas to Remember” (1984) Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers – Once Upon a Christmas

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  An original song written by Dolly that has become a true classic.

• 2. “Hallelujah” (2020) Carrie Underwood & John Legend – My Gift

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  This song is sung so very beautifully and so was the video that Carrie and John Legend filmed during 2020. The video won a 2021 CMT Music Award.
• 1. ”You Make It Feel Like Christmas (feat. Blake Shelton)” (2017) Gwen Stefani -You Make It Feel Like Christmas

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  You can say Gwen isn’t country but with her husband Blake Shelton she has charted two number one country songs. Their voices together and the song’s sweet message are all number one material.

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Author Nancy Brooks // Country Writer, Beasley Media Group

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• Music

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Kelly Clarkson