My Gift
Studio album by
Carrie Underwood
ReleasedSeptember 25, 2020 (2020-09-25)
GenreCountry
Length41:16
LabelCapitol Nashville
ProducerGreg Wells
Carrie Underwood chronology
Cry Pretty
(2018)		 My Gift
(2020)		 My Savior
(2021)
Singles from My Gift
  1. "Hallelujah"
    Released: November 13, 2020

My Gift is the first Christmas album and seventh studio album by American country music singer Carrie Underwood. It was released on September 25, 2020, through Capitol Records Nashville. Produced by Greg Wells, My Gift features guest appearances from John Legend and Underwood's oldest son Isaiah.

Background

Underwood first announced the album in June 2020.[1] The tracklist was announced on August 27, 2020.[2] Underwood had been wanting to make a full-length Christmas album for a long time, and decided it would be her next musical project after promoting her previous album, Cry Pretty. The album was produced and arranged by Greg Wells.[3]

The album features eight traditional tracks and three originals, two of those co-written by Underwood. One of the traditional tracks, "The Little Drummer Boy", Underwood was going to record alone but kept thinking about her oldest son Isaiah and asked him if he would want to sing with her on it, which he said "yes." John Legend is featured on "Hallelujah" which he co-wrote with Toby Gad. The two recorded it separately via emails and Zoom.[4] During an interview with Today's Country with Kelleigh Bannen, Underwood stated that the song came in late into the album process and she knew she had to make room for it. It was also her idea to make the song a duet.[5]

In September, Underwood told MusicRow, "I went through like every single song and I went on my iTunes and just started listening to so many versions, and marked down notes to give him [Wells] an idea of what I was looking for. Celine Dion's version of "O Holy Night" is so beautiful and big and classic. That was one I referenced. On the flip side, I didn't think I would find a version I liked of "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee," because so many are so march-y. I was like, "How can we get away from that?" And he had the idea of me singing a cappella. I tried it and it ended up being so unique and it had a certain feeling about it that made me really happy and that's why we put it first on the album."[6]

David Garcia, who co-produced Underwood's 2018 album Cry Pretty, co-wrote the songs "Sweet Baby Jesus" and "Let There Be Peace" with Underwood and Brett James.[7]

Promotion and live performances

Underwood appeared on the Today Show on September 24, 2020, to promote the album.[8] As cross-promotion for the album, Underwood starred in and executive produced an original HBO Max holiday special, airing on December 3, 2020,[9][10] entitled My Gift: A Christmas Special from Carrie Underwood. In November, Underwood released a bonus track to the album, "Favorite Time of Year", in partnership with Amazon Music.[11] It reached number one on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart, becoming Underwood's second number one hit on that chart and also reached number 62 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.[12]

The official music video for "Hallelujah" was released on November 19.[13] Underwood appeared in a Ring commercial, as cross-promotion for her song "Favorite Time of Year."[14] On November 26, Underwood and Josh Groban were the featured artists for iHeartRadio's Holiday special.[15] Underwood performed "Mary, Did You Know?", "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas", and "O Holy Night." On December 3, Underwood performed "O Holy Night" on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.[16] On December 8, Underwood performed songs from the album for a Pandora Live event, hosted by Storme Warren.[17] On December 18, Underwood performed "Mary, Did You Know?" on The Kelly Clarkson Show. On December 17, she performed "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" on Late Night with Seth Meyers.[18]

A special edition of My Gift was released on the one-year anniversary of the album's original release.[19] In November 2021, the My Gift Christmas special returned to stream on HBO MAX.[20]

In November 2021, Underwood performed "Mary, Did You Know" during ABC's CMA Country Christmas special.[21] Underwood performed "Favorite Time of Year" during NBC's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.[22] On December 1, 2021, Underwood performed two songs – "Let There Be Peace" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" – for the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting.[23] On December 18, the Grand Ole Opry, in partnership with the USO, aired a holiday special for the military, including a performance by Underwood.[24] She performed "Silent Night" for Opry Live: USO Holiday Special.[25]

Singles

On August 28, 2020, the promotional track "Let There Be Peace" was released to YouTube ahead of the album.[26] The song peaked at number 21 on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart.[12]

"Hallelujah" was sent to Adult Contemporary radio on November 13, 2020, and it debuted at number 28 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart for the week ending November 20.[27] The song peaked at number one on the Hot Christian Songs chart, number three on both Adult Contemporary chart and Hot Country Songs chart and at number 54 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[28]
The Observer3.5/5[29]
The Arts Desk[30]

My Gift received mixed reviews from music critics. Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic called the album a "stately, somber affair" partly due to the production from Greg Wells, writing that the album "proceeds at a steady pace, adorned with very few bells and whistles, and a sparse choice that helps highlight how Underwood chooses to sing primarily religious-themed material."[31] Tom Cramer of The Eastern Echo gave a positive review, writing that it "will bring the listener the gift of contemplation: to contemplate what the true meaning of Christmas is, what’s really necessary to celebrate Christmas during a pandemic, and to contemplate what is going on in the world today", also praising the duet with John Legend, saying it "would be spectacular if they ever get to perform this song together."[32] Emily Simpson of Vinyl Chapters gave a positive review, calling the duet between Underwood and Legend a stand-out track, and writing, "In a decidedly non-traditional year, Carrie Underwood has kept one musical tradition going with this album. My Gift offers us moments of joy and unity, a little dose of Christmas cheer that everyone needs to hear."[33]

Chuck Campbell of Knoxville News Sentinel gave a positive review of the album, awarding it 4 out of 5, calling it "reverential, poignant and heavily religious – calming music suitable for reflection and introspection", but was less favorable toward the duets with John Legend and Underwood's son, calling the former "disjointed and ultimately overcooked" and speculating that the latter will "sound adorable to many, but cloying to others."[34] The Observer gave a positive review of the album, awarding it 3.5 out of 5, but highlighted the promotional single, "Let There Be Peace," calling it "the most soulful" of the album.[29] Katie Columbus of The Arts Desk gave it 2 out of 5 stars, writing, "Listened to in full, My Gift is cloying and repetitive. Whilst reflective and meaningful for some, for others it'll be sorely lacking in festive fun."[30]

Accolades

The album received two nominations and one win at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards.

Awards
Organization Year Award Result Ref
Billboard Music Awards 2021 Top Christian Album Won [35]
Top Country Album Nominated [36]

Commercial performance

In the United States, My Gift sold 41,000 copies in its first week and accumulated 1,000 streaming equivalent units along with 1,000 track equivalent units, debuting at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 and number one on the Top Country Albums respectively. The album also debuted at number one on the Billboard Holiday Albums and Top Christian Albums charts, Underwood's first album to do so.[37][38] The achievement made Underwood the first artist to place eight consecutive number one albums on the Top Country Albums chart, according to Billboard.[39] It reached a new peak of number five on the Billboard 200 after moving 53,000 units on the week ending December 19, 2020.[40] The album experienced its best sales on the week ending December 24, when it sold 57,000 copies.[41] My Gift spent a seventh nonconsecutive week atop the tally on Billboard's Top Holiday Albums chart as it re-entered on issue dated October 9, 2021, after six weeks at number one last season following its release on Sept. 25, 2020. The album was reissued on Sept. 24, 2021 with three bonus tracks.[42]

Two of the album's tracks, "Favorite Time of Year" and "Hallelujah", topped the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart.[43] They respectively became Underwood's second and third songs to reach number one on this chart, following 2014's "Something in the Water."

My Gift was certified Gold by the RIAA on November 5, 2021.[44] As of December 2022, the album has sold 628,000 albums.[45]

Deluxe Edition

The deluxe edition of the album was released on September 24, 2021.[19] The special edition contains three new tracks, including "Favorite Time of Year", which was previously an Amazon Music exclusive.[46]

Other charted songs

All the tracks from "My Gift", including the Amazon Music exclusive "Favorite Time of Year", appeared on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart. "Favorite Time of Year" spent two weeks at number one before being replaced by "Hallelujah", making Underwood the first female artist and only the second artist to replace themselves at the top spot in the chart's 17-year history. Additionally with "Silent Night" at number three, Underwood became the first artist to command the top three positions of the chart for multiple weeks (four consecutive weeks).[47]

Three of the songs from the album appeared on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, led by "Hallelujah" at number 54, "Favorite Time of Year" at number 62 and "Silent Night" at number 94. The first two songs also peaked high on the Hot Country Songs chart, at numbers three and five respectively, for the week ending January 2, 2021.

Track listing

Amazon Music bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
12."Favorite Time of Year"
3:17
Total length:44:33
Special edition bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
13."All Is Well"
3:50
14."Let There Be Peace" / "Something in the Water" (live from My Gift: A Christmas Special)
  • Underwood
  • James
  • Garcia
  • DeStefano
8:39
Total length:57:02

Personnel

Vocals

  • Isaiah Fisher – featured vocals (track 4)
  • Brett James – background vocals
  • John Legend – featured vocals (track 6)
  • Carrie Underwood – lead vocals
  • Nina Woodford – background vocals

Musicians

  • Steven Becknell – French horn
  • David Campbell – arranger
  • Heather Clark – flute
  • Andrew Duckles – viola
  • Donald Foster – clarinet
  • David Garcia – acoustic guitar
  • Steven Holtman – contrabass trombone
  • David Kalmusky – electric guitar
  • Rong Huey Liu – oboe
  • Mac McAnally – acoustic guitar
  • Carolyn Riley – viola
  • David Stone – bass
  • David Washburn – trumpet
  • Greg Wells – acoustic guitar, arranger, bass, drums, electric guitar, percussion

Production

Charts

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[68] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Country Date Edition(s) Format Label
Various September 25, 2020 standard Capitol Nashville
October 30, 2020 Vinyl[69]
September 24, 2021 deluxe
  • CD
  • digital download
  • streaming
[70][71]

References

  1. ↑ Whitaker, Sterling (June 3, 2020). "Just In: Carrie Underwood Is Releasing a Christmas Album". Taste of Country. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  2. ↑ "'My Gift': Carrie Underwood's holiday album will feature guest appearances from John Legend and her son". ABC News Radio. August 27, 2020. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  3. ↑ Aniftos, Rania (August 28, 2020). "Carrie Underwood Announces Track List, Special Guests For First-Ever Christmas Album 'My Gift'". Billboard. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  4. ↑ "Carrie Underwood on her first holiday album, son Isaiah's 'Little Drummer Boy' vocals". USA Today. The Associated Press. September 25, 2020. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  5. ↑ Liptak, Carena (September 28, 2020). "Carrie Underwood's John Legend Duet Was The Missing 'Puzzle Piece' On 'My Gift'". Taste of Country. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  6. ↑ "Carrie Underwood Welcomes The Holiday Season With Christmas Album 'My Gift' [Interview]". September 25, 2020. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  7. ↑ "Carrie Underwood to Release My Savior, New Album of Gospel Hymns, on March 26". Umusic. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  8. ↑ Hines, Red (September 24, 2020). "Carrie Underwood jokes she was a 'stage mom' with son Isaiah, 5, on Christmas album". Today. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  9. ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (September 24, 2020). "HBO Max Sets Holiday Carrie Underwood Special With Songs From Her Upcoming Holiday Album 'My Gift'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  10. ↑ "Carrie Underwood Sets Christmas Special For Dec. 3". November 18, 2020. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  11. ↑ "Carrie Underwood Shares Additional Holiday Song 'Favorite Time of Year'". Country Music. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  12. 1 2 "Carrie Underwood Chart History (Hot Christian Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
  13. ↑ "Carrie Underwood teases magical "Hallelujah" video with John Legend". WIN 98.5 Your Country | WNWN-FM | Battle Creek, MI. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  14. ↑ "Carrie Underwood 'Rings' Your Doorbell in Christmas Commercial". 102.3 The Bull. November 17, 2020. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  15. ↑ "Carrie Underwood & Josh Groban Kick Off Holidays With Christmas Classics". iHeartRadio. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  16. ↑ "Carrie Underwood Glitters With 'O Holy Night' Performance on 'Fallon': Watch". Billboard. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  17. ↑ "Pandora Live featuring Carrie Underwood's First-Ever Christmas Album, 'My Gift' Presented by Audi". www.prnewswire.com (Press release). Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  18. ↑ "Video: Carrie Underwood Performs 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas' on Late Night With Seth Meyers". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  19. 1 2 Hollabaugh, Lorie (July 27, 2021). "Carrie Underwood To Release Special Edition Of 'My Gift'". MusicRow.com. Archived from the original on July 27, 2021. Retrieved November 25, 2021.
  20. ↑ "2021 Ultimate Christmas and Holiday Movies and Specials Guide". TVGuide.com. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  21. ↑ "WATCH: Carrie Underwood Stuns with 'Mary, Did You Know?' on 'CMA Country Christmas'". Country Now. November 30, 2021. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  22. ↑ "Carrie Underwood is a vision in the dreamiest red gown". Hello!. November 26, 2021. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  23. ↑ Ruggieri, Melissa. "Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting: Harry Connick Jr., Carrie Underwood burn bright". USA Today. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  24. ↑ Mier, Tomás (December 15, 2021). "Watch Carrie Underwood Perform 'Silent Night' From the Grand Ole Opry for USO Special". people.com. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  25. ↑ Major, Michael. "Video: Carrie Underwood Performs 'Silent Night' at the Grand Ole Opry". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  26. ↑ Clarks, Jessie (August 28, 2020). "Carrie Underwood Debuts "Let There Be Peace"". TheChristianBeat.org. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
  27. ↑ "Carrie Underwood". Billboard. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  28. ↑ "My Gift - Carrie Underwood - Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic.
  29. 1 2 "Carrie Underwood's early Christmas present: 'My Gift'". The Observer. October 5, 2020. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
  30. 1 2 "Album: Carrie Underwood - My Gift". theartsdesk.com. December 12, 2020. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  31. ↑ "Carrie Underwood – My Gift - All Music Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine". AllMusic. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  32. ↑ "Review: Carrie Underwood creates a contemplative Christmas album with "My Gift."". The Eastern Echo. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  33. ↑ "Carrie Underwood: My Gift - Review". Vinyl Chapters. September 25, 2020. Retrieved October 4, 2020.
  34. ↑ Campbell, Chuck. "Carrie Underwood offers dignified Christmas 'Gift'; Fleet Foxes find peace on 'Shore'". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  35. ↑ Longs, Herb (April 29, 2021). "Billboard Music Awards Announce 2021 Nominees For Top Christian/Gospel Artist, Song & Album". The Christian Beat. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  36. ↑ "Billboard Music Awards 2021: Here is the complete list of nominees". www.aninews.in. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  37. ↑ "Machine Gun Kelly Earns First No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart With 'Tickets to My Downfall'". Billboard. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  38. ↑ "Billboard's Top Holiday Albums Chart Makes Seasonal Return, Carrie Underwood's 'My Gift' Debuts at No. 1". Billboard. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
  39. ↑ "Carrie Underwood on Chart-Topping 'My Gift': 'It's Been in My Heart to Do a Christmas Album For Years'". Billboard. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  40. ↑ "Shawn Mendes Achieves Fourth No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart With 'Wonder'". Billboard. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  41. ↑ "Taylor Swift's 'Evermore' Spends Second Week at No. 1 on Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  42. ↑ "Season's Greetings! Billboard's Top Holiday Albums Returns With Carrie Underwood Up Top". Billboard. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
  43. ↑ "Carrie Underwood Replaces Herself Atop Hot Christian Songs With John Legend Collab 'Hallelujah'". Billboard. December 24, 2020. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  44. ↑ "Carrie Underwood receives most wonderful early Christmas gift - 'I'm so happy'". Hello!. December 15, 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  45. ↑ Christman, Ed (December 21, 2022). "Why Music Retail Is Having a Blue Christmas". Billboard.
  46. ↑ "Carrie Underwood's My Gift (Special Edition) Available Worldwide Today". UMG Nashville. September 24, 2021. Archived from the original on July 17, 2023. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  47. ↑ "Carrie Underwood Replaces Herself Atop Hot Christian Songs With John Legend Collab 'Hallelujah'". Billboard. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  48. ↑ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 14 December 2020". The ARIA Report. No. 1606. Australian Recording Industry Association. December 14, 2020. p. 6.
  49. ↑ "Billboard Canadian Albums". FYIMusicNews. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  50. ↑ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
  51. ↑ "Official Country Artists Albums Chart Top 20". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  52. ↑ "Machine Gun Kelly Earns First No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart With 'Tickets to My Downfall'". Billboard. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  53. ↑ "Carrie Underwood Chart History (Top Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
  54. ↑ "Carrie Underwood Chart History (Top Country Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
  55. ↑ "Carrie Underwood Chart History (Holiday Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
  56. ↑ "Top Album Sales - Year-End 2020". Billboard. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  57. ↑ "Top Christian Albums - Year-End 2020". Billboard. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  58. ↑ "Top Country Albums – Year-End 2020". Billboard. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  59. ↑ "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  60. ↑ "Top Album Sales - Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  61. ↑ "Top Christian Albums – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  62. ↑ "Top Country Albums – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  63. ↑ "Top Album Sales - Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  64. ↑ "Top Christian Albums – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  65. ↑ "Top Country Albums – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  66. ↑ "Top Christian Albums – Year-End 2023". Billboard. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  67. ↑ "Top Country Albums – Year-End 2023". Billboard. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  68. ↑ "American album certifications – Carrie Underwood – My Gift". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  69. ↑ "My Gift [LP] [Red]". Amazon. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  70. ↑ "My Gift [LP] [Special Edition]". Taste Of Country. July 27, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  71. ↑ "My Gift [LP] [Special Edition]". carrieunderwoodofficial.com. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
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