Who Sang the Song Mary Did You Know?
Music enthusiast FlourishAnyway introduces some fun competition into the holidays by ranking cover versions of popular Christmas songs.
Some of the best-known Christmas songs take been covered by a variety of artists. We look at Michael English's classic melody "Mary, Did You Know?" and rank 14 contenders. Who do You lot prefer?
TerriC via Pixabay, Free Domain, modified by FlourishAnyway
"Mary, Did You Know?" Is a Controversial New Favorite
Yous don't have to exist Christian or even religious to appreciate the raw emotion of this popular song's lyrics, merely it certainly helps. Nonplussed that Mary gave nascence to Christ, the narrator asks her a series of 18 questions near whether she realized at the time the full magnitude of the miracle she was participating in:
Mary, did you know that your babe male child volition someday walk on h2o?
Mary, did y'all know that your infant male child volition save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come up to make you new?
This kid that you've delivered, volition shortly deliver you?
Almost of us know that songwriters take creative license with their lyrics. However, Biblical purists withal object to the song's delineation of Mary as anything less than a fully knowledgeable party.
As a outcome, naysayers have disparaged this song as "biblically illiterate" and "the hymn that cancels Christmas."ane,ii Another critic called information technology "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 merely nowadays you with the songs and permit 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 have stepped up to cover it. With then many musicians recording "Mary, Did You Know?", perhaps you wonder, "Who sang information technology all-time?" If and then, so here's your gamble to compare their efforts.
"Who Sang It All-time?": Here's How It Works
With many artists singing the same Christmas tunes, the sleigh has become overloaded. Allow's rank them and cantankerous some off the list.
In the "Who Sang It Best?" serial, we start with the original version of pop songs that have been covered multiple times. Then nosotros present a set up of contenders, artists who have released cover versions in any genre. Some cover versions honour the original creative person'southward style while others are reinterpretations.
Since the original vocal version is typically considered "the standard," we don't include information technology in our overall rankings. Instead, we display it first for comparison, with upwards to xiv contenders presented next in ranked lodge. Vote on your preferences:
- Practise you prefer the original song or a cover version?
- Which of the comprehend versions exercise yous prefer?
"Mary, Did You Know?" by Michael English (1991)
Michael English's career in gospel music once flew high as both a solo creative person and a vocaliser in two Christian groups, The Gaither Song Ring and Offset Call. The Southern gospel vocalizer released this original Christmas song as a function of his 1991 debut anthology, and it has since get a holiday archetype.
Scandal, however, brought his career to a full end in 1994. Ironically, this was but a week subsequently English had won four Pigeon awards from the Gospel Music Clan (GMA) and shortly after completing a successful tour for unwed mothers. The adult female English had been having an extramarital affair with was pregnant with his child. Both were married to other people.
In that location was an epitome to consider, and then 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 with the help of famous friends and swain musicians.
Read More than From Spinditty
Although the song itself is lovely, I found English's performance of this original Christmas vocal to exist guarded. I wished that he had opened upward his vocalism to sing the vocal "loud and proud." Additionally, the tune's electronic vibe is retro 1990s and doesn't fit the mood conveyed past vocal's lyrics. There is plenty of room to amend on this modern Christmas classic!
ane. "Mary, Did You Know?" by Pentatonix (2014)
The existent examination of whether someone can sing is to strip away the instrumentals and let them sink or swim on the simple merits of their vocals. Based on this 2014 embrace version of "Mary, Did You lot Know?", Grammy Accolade-winning a capella group Pentatonix clearly deserves all the hype that surrounds them.
Pentatonix is a quintet formed in 2011, after winning the third season of the NBC a cappella competition, The Sing Off. The group has since gained international prominence, particularly for covers of pop and Christmas songs. Pentatonix's music as well represents a significant presence on YouTube with full views over v billion.
In their cover of "Mary, Did Y'all Know?", the musical group uses the multifariousness of their collective vocal ranges to emphasize that a small gathering (rather than ane inquisitive narrator) is in awe of Mary and her office. Each of the five vocalists asks her their gotta-know questions. Having multiple curious narrators magnifies the sense of wonder in this encompass version, particularly as assorted to a single querying narrator.
Pentatonix's volume in the Christmas tune ranges from a hushed, empathic whisper to soaring, harmonic celebration. This multifariousness adds emotional depth. In addition, specially pleasing are the instrumental-similar song effects and the resplendent displays of song harmony. Altogether, Pentatonix'due south impressive performance of this new Christmas classic opens the song upwards to a more general audience.
ii. "Mary, Did You Know?" by Peter Hollens (2016)
Unless you hang out on YouTube, you may not accept heard the compelling voice of Peter Hollens, a classically trained American vocalizer 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 invitee advent in a Broadway show. He also actively publishes an all-encompassing 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 sound, but it is the unusual video that will make you lot do a serious double have. As the song narrator, Hollens begins in hushed tones. Then he chimes in with background vocals.
Expect, what? Yes, the twist is that this rendition's supporting vocals are all Peter Hollens' voice, a point that is not lost on the YouTube viewer who sees 5 Peter Hollens doppelgängers joining the original. The beginning fourth dimension it happened, I thought he had a twin. The 2d fourth dimension it happened, I was like, "Wait only a minute! All these guys expect eerily akin." You lot'll want to watch this mindbending artistic experience more than in one case.
3. "Mary, Did Y'all Know?" by Anthem Lights (2017)
I like the piano accessory and soft vocal harmonies offered past Christian boy band Canticle Lights in this 2017 version of "Mary, Did You Know?" Their voices convey the vocal'south rich emotional texture without rise so much that the narrator is overwrought. It'due south as if the young men questioning Mary empathise that there's a sleeping babe nowadays.
The grouping was formed in 2011 and was previously known as Yellow Cavalier. They accept released several EPs that accept performed solidly on the Christian song charts.
four. "Mary, Did Y'all Know?" by Danny Gokey (2015)
Erstwhile American Idol contestant Danny Gokey delivers a boring, hostage treatment of "Mary, Did Yous Know?" in this 2015 cover of the Christmas melody. Violins provide a beautiful complement to Gokey'south vocals, and although much of the vocal enjoys hushed tones, there are notable crescendos that include a choir-backed commemoration of the Savior's birth.
Gokey's version institute success on the U.s. Christian music charts. A former church music director, he has returned to Christian and gospel music in his post-American Idol career following a period of recording country music.
5. "Mary, Did You Know?" past Voctave (Featuring Mark Lowry) (2016)
Have the angels gathered themselves around Mary? In this 2016 cover version of "Mary, Did You Know?", information technology sounds equally 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 cover of the Christmas favorite. Lowry is an American Christian singer-songwriter and comedian, and he is joined by the lyrical force of Voctave, an 11-member a capella group. Voctave'southward grouping members have professional person roots equally Walt Disney Earth entertainers.
Lowry'due south 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 list of questions that he wished to enquire Mother Mary.
By 1991, Lowry constitute a collaborator to add together the musical score. Although he allowed swain Gaither Vocal Ring vocalist Michael English to first record this vocal, Lowry has released his own version of it several times over the years. This 2016 version with Voctave is particularly noteworthy.
half-dozen. "Mary, Did You Know?" by Hashemite kingdom of jordan Smith (2016)
Within minutes of becoming available on the iTunes store, Jordan Smith'due south cover of this tune became a best-seller, knocking Adele'southward "Hullo" out of the top spot. Jordan Smith was the winner of season nine of The Voice.
Smith's rendition here receives bonus points considering it's in front of a live audience. With its soaring high notes, this impressive cover conveys an inquisitive, wonderstruck narrator nigh 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's refreshing to hear a female person solo of this vocal, especially when it's by someone as talented as 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 comprehend of the song features a narrator who empathizes deeply with the feel of Jesus' mother ("Oh, Mary, Mary, Mary"). Although Blige doesn't verbalize a couple of the lyrics, the total event of her vocal endeavour is disarming, every bit she holds no emotion back.
8. "Mary, Did Yous Know?" by Kathy Mattea (1993)
Known for her traditional land sound, Mattea won a Grammy for Good News, the Christmas album that her embrace of "Mary, Did Yous Know?" appeared on. She was one of the kickoff major artists to cover the Christian tune and bring it to a more than mainstream audition.
In her 1993 country version of "Mary, Did You Know?", Kathy Mattea'southward voice is not besides sweet but instead filled with experience and feeling, only as this song requires. The guitar instrumentals are not as effective as some of the instrumental furnishings used in other songs, but specially if yous appreciate traditional state music, you'll enjoy her version.
ix. "Mary, Did You Know?" past Cee Lo Dark-green (2012)
This encompass of "Mary, Did You Know?" is a far cry from some of CeeLo Greenish's other artistic endeavors. CeeLo Green is a Grammy Award-winning vocalist-songwriter, record producer, and former judge on NBC's The Voice.
In that location were points at which I struggled to hear his distinctive phonation above the instrumentals. (Project your powerful vocalism, Cee Lo! The background music is taking center phase!) In spite of this, the 2012 tune performed well on the R&B charts. It was too used for the closing credits in the 2014 major move picture, Son of God.
10. "Mary, Did You Know?" past Dirt 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 Dirt Aiken doesn't take many song risks here, but he delivers a solid performance. I 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 best-selling Christmas album of 2004 and best-selling Christian anthology of 2005.
11. "Mary, Did You Know?" by Zara Larsson (2017)
Immature Swedish vocaliser Zara Larsson lends her vocal talent to this 2017 rendition. She recorded it for the soundtrack of The Star, a Christian computer-blithe comedy film portraying the nativity.
Larsson'south youthful vocalization 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 sound can assistance quiet critics who contend that the narrator's questions are inappropriate. Larsson can hands 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 likewise many Christmas songs about the nascence of the Holy Savior that characteristic electric guitar riffs and Eastern-influenced instrumentals. All the same, this encompass "Mary, Did You Know?" by Sanam, hailed as India'southward 1 Management, manages to practise precisely that.
13. "Mary, Did You Know?" by Rascal Flatts (2010)
Although I'1000 typically the first to line up behind anything released by superstar land group Rascal Flatts, their encompass of "Mary, Did You Know?" is an exception. I found the vocals to be overly nasal and wished they had more than consistently hit the high notes more effectively. For a meliorate executed Christmas song by Rascal Flatts—a grouping that is a perennial audience favorite amongst state music fans—instead try "I'll Be Home for Christmas" (2009).
xiv. "Mary, Did You Know?" by Kenny Rogers and Wynonna Judd (1996)
Country musician Kenny Rogers is ane of the best-selling musical artists of all time. He is the winner of multiple Grammy and other prestigious awards, including a lifetime achievement award. Unfortunately, still, this rendition of "Mary, Did You Know?" is not his all-time work. Sadly, Rogers' vocalisation is apartment and unlively, as if he's bored with the questions he'due south request Mary.
Thankfully, Wynonna significantly amps up the free energy, emotional depth, and quality of the overall embrace song with her richly textured vocals. (I'd dearest to hear a solo version from Wynonna.) Unfortunately, with and so many other remarkable covers of this song, you'd probably have to be a fan of either of these artists to choose this version over the many other superior alternatives available.
Sources
1Scheer, H. (2016, Dec 21). Why 'Mary Did You 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 viii). The Problem With "Mary Did You Know". Retrieved from https://aleteia.org/2015/12/09/the-trouble-with-mary-did-you-know/
3Greydanus, S. D. (2015, Dec 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 USA on May 26, 2020:
Deni - Thanks for your perspective.
Deni on May 26, 2020:
Cimorelli .... even ameliorate organisation then pentatonix. Amazing
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on March 29, 2020:
Peggy - I'm not religious, but I love it too! It really touches me. Glad you enjoyed the various renditions.
Peggy Forest from Houston, Texas on March 28, 2020:
I love this song! Many people sing it beautifully. I am listening to the last music video right now.
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on Dec 25, 2019:
Millicent - Thanks for chiming in.
FlourishAnyway (writer) from USA on December 25, 2019:
Angie - Thanks for stopping past and commenting.
Millicent on Dec 24, 2019:
CeeLo Greenish - about powerful & moving
Angie on Dec 24, 2019:
Amy Grant
FlourishAnyway (author) from United states of america on December 17, 2019:
RADinNH - Thanks for expressing your favorites.
RADinNH on December 16, 2019:
No one comes shut to Marking Lowry on his own, he sings this with such feeling, he doesn't demand the group with him, Guy Penrod is also amazing with this vocal and Vince Gil does a pretty expert rendition.
FlourishAnyway (writer) from USA on December 15, 2019:
Thanks, Ron!
ron on December fourteen, 2019:
Marking puts the Near feeling in the song!
FlourishAnyway (writer) from USA 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 U.s.a. on November 29, 2019:
Heather - Cheers for your comment. Accept a wonderful vacation season.
Heather Pitman on Nov 28, 2019:
Natalie Cole performed an astonishing version of Mary Did You lot Know
FlourishAnyway (author) from The states on October 27, 2019:
Keith - Cheers for chiming in with your favorite.
Keith on October 26, 2019:
Direct No Attorney did a great version, too!
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on May 30, 2019:
JD - Thanks for weighing in.
JD on May 30, 2019:
David Phelps
FlourishAnyway (author) from United states on December 13, 2018:
Sraynaes - Thank you for alerting us to this one! Merry Christmas!
Sraynaes on December 12, 2018:
The Braxton version
Is meliorate than all the above
FlourishAnyway (writer) from USA on December 12, 2018:
Shauna - Thanks for such a thoughtful annotate. It is sometimes hard to decide on a favorite for some of these holiday songs. Hope yous are doing corking this Christmas season and feeling the love of the holiday spirit.
Shauna Fifty Bowling from Central Florida on December 12, 2018:
Flourish, I had a really hard time choosing. I love Pentatonix and anything they practice. I likewise enjoyed CeeLo's rendition, although I'grand 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 but one that features Jesus and all the wonder he'due south brought this globe. I thought information technology was very well done, and Clay's voice sets the mood, despite the finger snapping.
By the way, "Mary, Did You Know?" and "The Piddling Drummer Boy" are my favorite Christmas songs.
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on Dec 06, 2018:
Linda - I'm happy y'all enjoyed this. I accept enjoyed learning more than about the artists and their backgrounds as well as about the songs.
Linda Crampton from British Columbia, Canada on December 05, 2018:
I didn't know that the lyrics of the vocal were controversial. The Peter Hollens version is very interesting. Thanks for sharing his video and all of the others, Flourish.
FlourishAnyway (author) from U.s. on December 05, 2018:
Tim - I'yard glad that he didn't deny having affair and refuse the child he fathered. He had some pretty big name friends help him in getting back into Christian music.
FlourishAnyway (author) from United states on December 05, 2018:
Liz - It's very surprising, isn't it? Thanks for stopping by.
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on Dec 05, 2018:
Venkatachari One thousand - I'1000 glad you enjoyed this article and the various versions. With my next "Who Sang It Best?", there's quite a diversity of effort and genres (shockingly and so!). Take a wonderful week.
FlourishAnyway (author) from U.s. on December 05, 2018:
Dora - I concord that it's hard to beat Pentatonix when they're on top of their game! They certainly were splendid with this vocal. Cheers for chiming in! Hope your holiday flavor is a happy one thus far.
Dora Weithers from The Caribbean area on Dec 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. on December 05, 2018:
Hullo, Flourish,
I dearest the Pintatonix version. It tops the original in my view. I also like Clay's version, but I can hear a story improve in the Pentatonix tale.
Swell work.
I'thousand sorry virtually what happened to Michael English language, I guess he didn't know. There'due south something ironic at that place that makes you lot scratch your caput with a big "hmm."
Sincerely,
Tim
Liz Westwood from UK on December 05, 2018:
I never realised in that location were so many covers washed of the aforementioned song.
Shawindi Silva from Sri lanka on December 05, 2018:
Cheers so much and I wish you the aforementioned.
Venkatachari Chiliad from Hyderabad, India on December 05, 2018:
A great commodity presenting the various styles of singing the wonderful song "Mary did you know?". I enjoyed most of them and information technology is difficult to cull anyone as the best.
FlourishAnyway (author) from U.s. on December 05, 2018:
Shawindi - I'thou glad you enjoyed this. Thanks for weighing in. May y'all take a joyous December.
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on Dec 05, 2018:
Mary - It is a pretty song. Thank y'all for stopping by to compare the various efforts of the singers who sung their versions. Hope you're having a marvelous holiday season.
Shawindi Silva from Sri lanka on December 04, 2018:
I like your article, and Canticle Lights is my favorite.
Mary Norton from Ontario, Canada on December 04, 2018:
Enjoyed listening to these dissimilar renditions of the song. 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 it. Gosh, I found it challenging to sing well. Although I don't often listen to a capella music, I'd say the better a capella versions probably could not have been improved with instrumentals. They were so practiced. I'll put on the Christmas music and you bring us all some cookies from your kitchen, CarbDiva. Maybe nosotros'll go Nib to dress as Santa.
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on Dec 04, 2018:
Bill - The very first time I heard this, information technology was Cee Lo'due south version and I was really taken with information technology. Glad you enjoyed the variations presented. Promise you lot're doing well on that urban farm. Write us something good when yous have time.
FlourishAnyway (author) from U.s. on December 04, 2018:
Yves - I was surprised at how adept their performance was. Fifty-fifty though they were ranked way down on the list, everyone was good with this vocal. That isn't always the instance! I had never heard of them and was glad to learn nearly them while doing my research. I was also surprised that people can get so riled up over a song not being and then literally representative. To each his or her own! Thanks for weighing in. Promise you're jingle belling your way through the holiday happily so far.
Yves on December 04, 2018:
Listened to all the choices and to my surprise and delight, I voted for Sanam. They did a great interpretation of the vocal. I was rather transfixed, actually. Enjoyed the story behind this remarkable vocal, also. Information technology's rather funny that some purists cannot enjoy the lyrics, just at least that doesn't stop the residue of us from affectionate this "typically Protestant" song. Lol.
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on December 04, 2018:
Chitangada - Everybody on this Christmas song did pretty well, and information technology was difficult to rank them. There are some peachy covers to choose from. I hope you are having a lovely December to remember.
FlourishAnyway (author) from United states on Dec 04, 2018:
Shannon - I didn't observe Reba'southward version until it was also late. HP but seems to be able to handle about 15 videos from a page load standpoint so I accept to limit my number of contenders. I figured that information technology would not be very fruitful to offering a proper noun and comments on this type of ranking article without the accompanying video, so I limited the field to 15 total. I'll get 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 yous for reading!
Linda Lum from Washington State, The states 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 past 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, Republic of india on December 04, 2018:
What a beautiful collection of songs. I listened to some of your videos. It's hard to cull, i favourite.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful article, with wonderful collection of videos. And 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 all-time by the original artist. I'thou blown away by all the first-class alternatives you lot present! Although, I concord with your assessment of nigh of them and I was surprised to find that I didn't intendance for the Rascal Flatts version (non simply considering it isn't the normal lead vocalist singing information technology). It is very nasally, you're right. The beginning version of the song I personally ever heard was Kathy Mattea, I retrieve. Or maybe Reba's. I really similar Reba's version, too. I'd dearest to hear Wynonna do a version by herself. She sounded beautiful singing it. Pentatonix is really not my favorite, though I do like the different narrators in their version. I guess I'm saying that I remember this song is hard to choose a best. I'll mark "other" in favor of Reba, though.
Pamela Oglesby from Sunny Florida on Dec 04, 2018:
It is nearly impossible to option the very all-time redition of this beautiful song. I idea Pentatonix sang information technology beautifull, but some others were every bit as proficient. I agree with your comments about some of the artists or groups, such equally not liking the snapping fingers. I love this vocal, which fabricated this a fun commodity to read and listen to.
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on December 04, 2018:
John, Thanks for stopping by. There wasn't a bad one in the mix here, just variations of good. (It's not e'er the instance with some Christmas songs.) I hope your vacation flavor is off to a dandy starting time. Merry Christmas!
John Hansen from Gondwana Land on December 03, 2018:
What a keen drove of cover versions you take here, Flourish. The original pales in comparison to nearly. I chose Pentatonix as my favourite but it was and so hard to cull the best. I also loved Zara Larsson's version as well equally Voctave, Peter Hollens, Canticle Lights and Sanam.
Great song to compare versions of.
Source: https://spinditty.com/playlists/Who-Sang-It-Best-Mary-Did-You-Know
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