The Christmas songs are ramping up now and I’ve no idea how we’re going to deal with them all. Is it just my imagination or are there more of them this time, and particularly so those that convey a ‘Peace’ message?
Not surprising if that is the case of course. Most people across Europe are by now fed up with war, whether it’s in Ukraine, the Middle East, one of those conflicts that the mainstream media deems sufficiently interesting to give half a column to on a bad news day, such as the massacres in Sudan and Nigeria, or whether it is just the lingering threat of it dragging in everybody or kicking off for no better reason than a certain President wants somewhere cold and snowy to play golf for a change, with his orange balls.
But that isn’t really the message behind Andreas Aleman’s single called ‘Peace’ and which is a cover of a song originally written by Michael McDonald and Beth Nielsen Chapman and first released by Michael McDonald in 2001.
There have been plenty of covers of it since and that isn’t surprising either, considering since it positively invites them. In the original version McDonald, who looks like God in his Friday night chilling out gear, powered through his song like he was in a confessional, contrasting his past failings with his need to embrace Baby Jesus and through him find the path forwards.
“I have come from so far away/down the road of my own mistakes”… “Oh wondrous child of whom the angels sing”… “My soul renewed, and my spirit free/In You I’ll find my peace”
The vocal was thus both pleading and manly at the same time if you can imagine such a feat.
Andreas pushes both elements even further. His voice is more melodious and powerful than Mr McDonald’s but there are a couple of occasions when he almost spoils it by pushing it to its limit when there isn’t a reason to, save for bringing a gospel feel into it. Sshh, you’ll wake the baby.
Of one thing I’m certain though and being a natural cynic I never thought I’d say this, but there will be many people that will take comfort from this song and its message not only of peace but of hope.
It’s one for midnight on Christmas Eve and a reprise at the same time on New Year’s Eve.
(Continues after Spotify link)
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