Mary Did You Know Clay Aiken Instrumental

Music enthusiast FlourishAnyway introduces some fun competition into the holidays by ranking encompass versions of pop Christmas songs.

Some of the best-known Christmas songs have been covered by a variety of artists. We look at Michael English's classic tune "Mary, Did You Know?" and rank 14 contenders. Who do YOU prefer? — Some of the best-known Christmas songs have been covered by a variety of artists. We look at Michael English'due south classic melody "Mary, Did Yous Know?" and rank 14 contenders. Who exercise Y'all prefer?

TerriC via Pixabay, Free Domain, modified past FlourishAnyway

"Mary, Did You Know?" Is a Controversial New Favorite

You don't have to exist Christian or fifty-fifty religious to appreciate the raw emotion of this pop song's lyrics, but it certainly helps. Nonplussed that Mary gave birth to Christ, the narrator asks her a series of 18 questions about whether she realized at the fourth dimension the full magnitude of the miracle she was participating in:

Mary, did you know that your baby male child will someday walk on water?
Mary, did you know that your baby male child will save our sons and daughters?
Did y'all know that your infant male child has come to make you new?
This child that you lot've delivered, will soon evangelize yous?

About of united states of america know that songwriters take artistic license with their lyrics. However, Biblical purists nevertheless object to the vocal's delineation of Mary every bit anything less than a fully knowledgeable party.

As a upshot, naysayers have disparaged this vocal as "biblically illiterate" and "the hymn that cancels Christmas."^ane,2Another critic called it "typically Protestant in sensibility . . . emphasizing Mary'due south ordinariness rather than her extraordinariness."³ Whoa! Throwing shade over a infant Jesus song? Rather than wade into that thorny thicket, I'll merely present you with the songs and permit you make up one's mind for yourself.

The 1991 tune was starting time released past American Christian artist Michael English language, and in the ensuing years, artists of multiple genres have stepped upward to cover it. With then many musicians recording "Mary, Did You lot Know?", perhaps you wonder, "Who sang it best?" If and then, then here's your chance to compare their efforts.

"Who Sang It Best?": Here's How It Works

With many artists singing the aforementioned Christmas tunes, the sleigh has go overloaded. Let's rank them and cross some off the list.

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 ready of contenders, artists who take released encompass versions in any genre. Some cover versions honor the original creative person'south mode while others are reinterpretations.

Since the original song version is typically considered "the standard," we don't include it in our overall rankings. Instead, we display information technology start for comparison, with upward to 14 contenders presented adjacent in ranked order. Vote on your preferences:

Practice y'all prefer the original song or a cover version?
Which of the cover versions practice you prefer?

"Mary, Did You Know?" by Michael English language (1991)

Michael English's career in gospel music in one case flew loftier as both a solo artist and a vocalizer in two Christian groups, The Gaither Vocal Band and First Call. The Southern gospel singer released this original Christmas vocal as a role of his 1991 debut album, and it has since become a vacation classic.

Scandal, however, brought his career to a full finish in 1994. Ironically, this was but a week after English had won iv Pigeon awards from the Gospel Music Association (GMA) and presently later completing a successful tour for unwed mothers. The woman English language had been having an extramarital affair with was pregnant with his child. Both were married to other people.

There was an image to consider, and so English language 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 fellow musicians.

1. "Mary, Did You Know?" by Pentatonix (2014)

The real test 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 comprehend version of "Mary, Did You Know?", Grammy Award-winning a capella group Pentatonix conspicuously deserves all the hype that surrounds them.

Pentatonix is a quintet formed in 2011, after winning the 3rd season of the NBC a cappella competition, The Sing Off. The group has since gained international prominence, peculiarly for covers of popular and Christmas songs. Pentatonix'due south music also represents a significant presence on YouTube with total views over 5 billion.

In their cover of "Mary, Did You Know?", the musical group uses the diversity of their commonage vocal ranges to emphasize that a small gathering (rather than 1 inquisitive narrator) is in awe of Mary and her function. 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 equally assorted to a unmarried querying narrator.

Pentatonix'due south volume in the Christmas tune ranges from a hushed, empathic whisper to soaring, harmonic celebration. This variety adds emotional depth. In addition, particularly pleasing are the instrumental-like vocal effects and the resplendent displays of vocal harmony. Altogether, Pentatonix'south impressive performance of this new Christmas archetype opens the song up to a more full general audience.

two. "Mary, Did You Know?" by Peter Hollens (2016)

Unless you hang out on YouTube, you may not have heard the compelling vocalization of Peter Hollens, a classically trained American vocalist who has earned recognition on social media for his music covers of popular songs. Hollens has participated in NBC'south 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 You Know?" is extremely sound, but it is the unusual video that will make you do a serious double have. As the vocal narrator, Hollens begins in hushed tones. And so he chimes in with background vocals.

Wait, what? Yes, the twist is that this rendition'south supporting vocals are all Peter Hollens' voice, a point that is not lost on the YouTube viewer who sees five Peter Hollens doppelgängers joining the original. The start time information technology happened, I idea he had a twin. The second time it happened, I was like, "Wait just a infinitesimal! All these guys look eerily alike." You'll want to watch this mindbending creative feel more once.

3. "Mary, Did You Know?" by Anthem Lights (2017)

I like the piano 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 vocal's rich emotional texture without rising and then much that the narrator is overwrought. It'southward every bit if the young men questioning Mary understand that there's a sleeping infant nowadays.

The group was formed in 2011 and was previously known as Yellow Cavalier. They have released several EPs that have performed solidly on the Christian vocal charts.

4. "Mary, Did You Know?" past Danny Gokey (2015)

Quondam American Idol contestant Danny Gokey delivers a irksome, hostage handling of "Mary, Did You Know?" in this 2015 embrace of the Christmas tune. Violins provide a beautiful complement to Gokey's vocals, and although much of the song enjoys hushful tones, there are notable crescendos that include a choir-backed celebration of the Savior'south birth.

Gokey's version constitute success on the United states Christian music charts. A erstwhile church music director, he has returned to Christian and gospel music in his mail-American Idol career post-obit a menstruation of recording country music.

v. "Mary, Did You Know?" by Voctave (Featuring Marking Lowry) (2016)

Have the angels gathered themselves effectually Mary? In this 2016 comprehend version of "Mary, Did Yous Know?", it sounds every bit if that is the example. Slowly and delicately, they pepper her with questions.

Marking 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 strength of Voctave, an xi-fellow member a capella group. Voctave's group members have professional roots equally Walt Disney Earth entertainers.

Lowry's lyrics for "Mary, Did You lot Know?" began in 1984 when he was requested to write a script for a church Christmas play. The issue was a list of questions that he wished to inquire Mother Mary.

By 1991, Lowry establish a collaborator to add together the musical score. Although he allowed fellow Gaither Vocal Ring vocalist Michael English to showtime record this song, Lowry has released his ain version of it several times over the years. This 2016 version with Voctave is peculiarly noteworthy.

half-dozen. "Mary, Did You Know?" by Jordan Smith (2016)

Within minutes of condign available on the iTunes shop, Jordan Smith'south encompass of this melody became a all-time-seller, knocking Adele's "Hello" out of the peak spot. Jordan Smith was the winner of season nine of The Voice.

Smith'south rendition hither receives bonus points because it's in front of a alive audience. With its soaring high notes, this impressive cover conveys an inquisitive, wonderstruck narrator almost brought to his knees with emotion regarding Mary and the newborn Prince of Peace.

7. "Mary, Did Yous Know?" by Mary J. Blige (2013)

Information technology'southward refreshing to hear a female solo of this song, peculiarly when it's by someone as talented as Mary J. Blige, Queen of Hip-Hop Soul. The Grammy Accolade-winning singer-songwriter and actress treats listeners to a tender, soothing rendition of "Mary, Did You Know?"

Her embrace of the vocal 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 effect of her song try is disarming, as she holds no emotion back.

8. "Mary, Did You Know?" by Kathy Mattea (1993)

Known for her traditional land sound, Mattea won a Grammy for Proficient News, the Christmas album that her cover of "Mary, Did Yous Know?" appeared on. She was one of the first major artists to cover the Christian melody and bring it to a more than mainstream audience.

In her 1993 country version of "Mary, Did You Know?", Kathy Mattea's voice is non as well sweet but instead filled with feel and feeling, just as this song requires. The guitar instrumentals are not as effective as some of the instrumental effects used in other songs, but peculiarly if you appreciate traditional state music, you'll enjoy her version.

ix. "Mary, Did You Know?" by Cee Lo Green (2012)

This embrace of "Mary, Did You Know?" is a far cry from some of CeeLo Green's other creative endeavors. CeeLo Green is a Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, record producer, and one-time judge on NBC's The Voice.

There were points at which I struggled to hear his distinctive vocalism 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. It was also used for the closing credits in the 2014 major moving picture, Son of God.

10. "Mary, Did You Know?" by Clay Aiken (2004)

Click, click, click. I could take washed without the distracting finger snapping in this otherwise tender, sincere cover version. American Idol runner-upward Clay Aiken doesn't take many song risks hither, only he delivers a solid performance. One of the most successful Idol alumni, Aiken found several years of moderate success in land music then seemed to slip from the airwaves.

This cover version appeared on his Merry Christmas with Love album, the acknowledged Christmas album of 2004 and best-selling Christian anthology of 2005.

11. "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 computer-blithe comedy picture portraying the nativity.

Larsson's youthful vox 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'due south questions are inappropriate. Larsson tin 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 as well many Christmas songs almost the birth of the Holy Savior that characteristic electric guitar riffs and Eastern-influenced instrumentals. However, this cover "Mary, Did You Know?" past Sanam, hailed equally India's One Direction, manages to exercise precisely that.

xiii. "Mary, Did You Know?" by Rascal Flatts (2010)

Although I'grand typically the commencement to line up backside anything released past superstar land group Rascal Flatts, their cover of "Mary, Did Yous Know?" is an exception. I establish 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 group that is a perennial audition favorite among state music fans—instead try "I'll Be Home for Christmas" (2009).

fourteen. "Mary, Did You Know?" by Kenny Rogers and Wynonna Judd (1996)

Country musician Kenny Rogers is 1 of the all-time-selling musical artists of all time. He is the winner of multiple Grammy and other prestigious awards, including a lifetime achievement award. Unfortunately, however, this rendition of "Mary, Did Y'all Know?" is not his best work. Sadly, Rogers' voice is flat and unlively, as if he's bored with the questions he's request Mary.

Thankfully, Wynonna significantly amps up the energy, emotional depth, and quality of the overall embrace song with her richly textured vocals. (I'd love to hear a solo version from Wynonna.) Unfortunately, with so many other remarkable covers of this song, you'd probably have to be a fan of either of these artists to cull this version over the many other superior alternatives bachelor.

Sources

¹Scheer, 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 eight). The Trouble With "Mary Did You Know". Retrieved from https://aleteia.org/2015/12/09/the-problem-with-mary-did-y'all-know/

ⁱⁱⁱGreydanus, 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

FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on May 26, 2020:

Deni - Thanks for your perspective.

Deni on May 26, 2020:

Cimorelli .... even amend arrangement so pentatonix. Amazing

FlourishAnyway (author) from United states of america on March 29, 2020:

Peggy - I'g not religious, but I love it too! It really touches me. Glad you enjoyed the various renditions.

Peggy Wood from Houston, Texas on March 28, 2020:

I love this vocal! Many people sing information technology beautifully. I am listening to the last music video correct 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 - Thanks for stopping past and commenting.

Millicent on December 24, 2019:

CeeLo Green - most powerful & moving

Angie on Dec 24, 2019:

Amy Grant

FlourishAnyway (author) from Us on Dec 17, 2019:

RADinNH - Thanks for expressing your favorites.

RADinNH on Dec 16, 2019:

No one comes close to Mark Lowry on his ain, he sings this with such feeling, he doesn't need the grouping with him, Guy Penrod is also astonishing with this song and Vince Gil does a pretty practiced rendition.

FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on December xv, 2019:

Thanks, Ron!

ron on December 14, 2019:

Mark puts the MOST feeling in the song!

FlourishAnyway (author) from United states of america on Dec 07, 2019:

Kim A. - I appreciate your chiming in with your favorite.

Kim A. on Dec 07, 2019:

Kutless version is fantastic!!

FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on Nov 29, 2019:

Heather - Cheers for your annotate. Take a wonderful holiday flavor.

Heather Pitman on November 28, 2019:

Natalie Cole performed an amazing version of Mary Did You lot Know

FlourishAnyway (writer) from USA on October 27, 2019:

Keith - Thanks for chiming in with your favorite.

Keith on October 26, 2019:

Directly No Chaser did a not bad version, too!

FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on May thirty, 2019:

JD - Thanks for weighing in.

JD on May 30, 2019:

David Phelps

FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on Dec 13, 2018:

Sraynaes - Thanks for alerting the states to this one! Merry Christmas!

Sraynaes on December 12, 2018:

The Braxton version

Is better than all the above

FlourishAnyway (author) from U.s.a. 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 not bad this Christmas flavor and feeling the beloved of the holiday spirit.

Shauna L Bowling from Key Florida on December 12, 2018:

Flourish, I had a really hard fourth dimension choosing. I love Pentatonix and anything they do. I also enjoyed CeeLo'south rendition, although I'm personally non a fan of his. Sanam'southward version is amazing. Still, I have to go with Clay Aiken for the uncomplicated fact that his video told the story best. His is the simply one that features Jesus and all the wonder he'due south brought this world. I thought it was very well done, and Clay'south vocalisation sets the mood, despite the finger snapping.

Past the manner, "Mary, Did You Know?" and "The Trivial Drummer Boy" are my favorite Christmas songs.

FlourishAnyway (writer) from U.s.a. on Dec 06, 2018:

Linda - I'chiliad happy you enjoyed this. I have enjoyed learning more than well-nigh the artists and their backgrounds equally well 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 USA on Dec 05, 2018:

Tim - I'm glad that he didn't deny having affair and reject the kid 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 information technology? Thanks for stopping by.

FlourishAnyway (author) from U.s. on December 05, 2018:

Venkatachari One thousand - I'm glad you enjoyed this article and the various versions. With my next "Who Sang Information technology Best?", there's quite a diversity of effort and genres (shockingly so!). Have a wonderful week.

FlourishAnyway (author) from United states of america on December 05, 2018:

Dora - I agree that it's difficult to crush Pentatonix when they're on elevation of their game! They certainly were excellent with this song. Thank y'all for chiming in! Hope your holiday season is a happy ane thus far.

Dora Weithers from The Caribbean on Dec 05, 2018:

Beautiful song! Was non aware of the controversy. I think the Pentatonix will get my vote on every vocal they sing.

Tim Truzy from U.South.A. on December 05, 2018:

Hi, Flourish,

I love the Pintatonix version. It tops the original in my view. I too similar Dirt'southward version, but I can hear a story improve in the Pentatonix tale.

Great piece of work.

I'm lamentable about what happened to Michael English, I guess he didn't know. There's something ironic there that makes you scratch your head with a big "hmm."

Sincerely,

Tim

Liz Westwood from United kingdom of great britain and northern ireland on Dec 05, 2018:

I never realised there were then many covers done of the same song.

Shawindi Silva from Sri lanka on December 05, 2018:

Give thanks you lot so much and I wish you the aforementioned.

Venkatachari 1000 from Hyderabad, India on December 05, 2018:

A neat article presenting the various styles of singing the wonderful song "Mary did yous know?". I enjoyed virtually of them and it is difficult to cull anyone as the all-time.

FlourishAnyway (author) from United states on December 05, 2018:

Shawindi - I'm glad you lot enjoyed this. Thanks for weighing in. May you lot have a joyous December.

FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on Dec 05, 2018:

Mary - It is a pretty song. Thanks 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 different renditions of the song. Each one has its ain merit and I came to appreciate the song.

FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on December 04, 2018:

Linda - Isn't it compelling? Try singing information technology. Gosh, I found it challenging to sing well. Although I don't often heed to a capella music, I'd say the better 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 usa all some cookies from your kitchen, CarbDiva. Mayhap we'll get Neb to dress as Santa.

FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on December 04, 2018:

Bill - The very kickoff time I heard this, it was Cee Lo's version and I was really taken with information technology. Glad you enjoyed the variations presented. Hope you're doing well on that urban subcontract. Write united states something good when you accept time.

FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on Dec 04, 2018:

Yves - I was surprised at how skillful their performance was. Even though they were ranked style downwardly on the list, everyone was good with this song. That isn't e'er the case! I had never heard of them and was glad to acquire about them while doing my research. I was besides surprised that people can become then riled upwards over a song not being so literally representative. To each his or her own! Thanks for weighing in. Promise you're jingle belling your way through the holiday happily then 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 interpretation of the song. I was rather transfixed, actually. Enjoyed the story behind this remarkable song, too. It's rather funny that some purists cannot relish the lyrics, merely at least that doesn't stop the residuum of us from appreciating this "typically Protestant" song. Lol.

FlourishAnyway (writer) from U.s.a. on December 04, 2018:

Chitangada - Everybody on this Christmas song did pretty well, and it was difficult to rank them. There are some groovy covers to choose from. I hope you are having a lovely Dec to remember.

FlourishAnyway (author) from Us 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 well-nigh 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 name and comments on this blazon of ranking commodity without the accompanying video, so I limited the field to 15 total. I'll go check out what I missed with Reba.

FlourishAnyway (author) from U.s. on Dec 04, 2018:

Pamela - It's a cute song. I wasn't aware of the controversy before I did my research for this article. That'south such a shame. Thank you for reading!

Linda Lum from Washington State, U.s. on Dec 04, 2018:

Flourish, this has get my new favorite Christmas song. There really isn't a bad version, but as a vocalist, I capeesh the acapella past Pentatonix.

Nib Holland from Olympia, WA on December 04, 2018:

My favorite Christmas song....Smith or Mattea....although I'll listen to anyone singing this stunningly beautiful vocal.

Chitrangada Sharan from New Delhi, India on December 04, 2018:

What a beautiful collection of songs. I listened to some of your videos. It's hard to choose, one favourite.

Thank you for sharing this wonderful article, with wonderful collection of videos. So well timed, for the holidays and the upcoming festivals.

Thanks for sharing!

Shannon Henry from Texas on December 04, 2018:

Oh, skilful one! This is definitely a vocal that is not sung best by the original artist. I'k blown away past all the excellent alternatives you present! Although, I agree with your assessment of nearly of them and I was surprised to discover that I didn't care for the Rascal Flatts version (not merely because it isn't the normal lead vocalist singing it). It is very nasally, you're correct. The kickoff version of the song I personally ever heard was Kathy Mattea, I think. Or maybe Reba's. I actually like Reba's version, besides. I'd love to hear Wynonna do a version by herself. She sounded beautiful singing it. Pentatonix is actually not my favorite, though I do similar the different narrators in their version. I judge I'm proverb that I think this song is difficult to cull a best. I'll marking "other" in favor of Reba, though.

Pamela Oglesby from Sunny Florida on December 04, 2018:

Information technology is nigh impossible to pick the very all-time redition of this beautiful song. I idea Pentatonix sang information technology beautifull, but some others were equally as skilful. I agree with your comments about some of the artists or groups, such as not liking the snapping fingers. I love this vocal, which fabricated this a fun commodity to read and mind to.

FlourishAnyway (writer) from U.s.a. on December 04, 2018:

John, Thanks for stopping by. There wasn't a bad one in the mix here, simply variations of skilful. (Information technology's non e'er the instance with some Christmas songs.) I hope your holiday season is off to a groovy get-go. Merry Christmas!

John Hansen from Gondwana Land on December 03, 2018:

What a nifty collection of comprehend versions you accept hither, Flourish. The original pales in comparison to near. I chose Pentatonix as my favourite only it was and so difficult to cull the best. I also loved Zara Larsson's version besides as Voctave, Peter Hollens, Canticle Lights and Sanam.

Great song to compare versions of.

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