Tuesday, December 10, 2024
Music

My Seven Favorite Versions of “Joy to the World”

Welcome back to my annual favorite Christmas song article! Four years ago, I decided to write about my favorite versions of “Little Drummer Boy”, mainly to entertain myself. Evidently, the topic was much more popular than I could have ever imagined. Since then, over 11,000 people have read this series. Stunned doesn’t begin to describe my reaction to that number.

For this year’s installment, I’ve chosen “Joy to the World”. A few thoughts about this song before we dive into my choices. First, “Joy to the World” is not strictly a Christmas song. I’ve written about this before, but the lyrics seem to be pointing more to the second coming than to the first. Regardless, the song has been adopted as a Christmas hymn, and I won’t be breaking with convention now.

Second, “Joy to the World” is not one of my absolute favorite Christmas songs. I love the song but there are a number of Christmas songs I prefer. So, why did I decide to write about it, you might ask? Well, that’s my final thought before I start with my list: Although “Joy to the World” would not crack my top 10 favorite Christmas songs list, one particular version of it is my all-time favorite Christmas song.

As usual, I’m sure I will miss one of your favorites. Let me know what versions of this wonderful song top your list in the comment section below or on any of our social media profiles. Thanks for reading!

Chris Tomlin takes “Joy to the World”, adds a chorus, and bang! He’s got a hit!

I’m not a huge Tomlin fan. I have nothing against him or his music, but I don’t find myself seeking out his stuff very often. I make an exception for his version of “Joy to the World”. I love the energy. More than anything, it feels joyful. It’s a power-praise styled worship version of the song but it works for me, and I go back to it often during the Christmas season.

Whitney Houston goes to church with “Joy to the World.”

Not my favorite style of music but every time this version plays, I find myself toe tapping and bouncing around my house. Whitney’s voice is great, but the Georgia Mass Choir really makes this song shine.

Nat King Cole keeps things classy.

Traditional arrangement with no frills, gimmicks, or tricks. Just beautiful instrumentation and Nat King Cole’s amazing voice.

10 out 10. No notes.

I love every second of this.

Lincoln Brewster brings some much-needed rock and roll.

This one feels a little similar to Chris Tomlin’s but it’s unique enough for me to include it. Where this one excels is that it is not afraid to rock out a bit. Before you run away in horror, it’s not too heavy. It’s the perfect amount of rock for a Christmas song of this type. Brewster is a gifted guitarist, and he adds some wonderful touches to his version that really help it land.

George Strait keeps things simple.

I don’t like country music. It’s a point of contention in my marriage, as my wife is a big 1990’s and earlier country fan. George Strait gets a pass from me, though. Particularly for this version of “Joy to the World”. This is the version I can imagine hearing at a small country church gathering. A few people pick up their instruments and the magic happens. It’s simple and uncomplicated and that makes it all the more beautiful. Thank God for George Strait.

Third Day gets it right.

I’ve listened to Third Day since their very first album but somehow, I had missed their version of “Joy to the World” until recently. I have absolutely fallen in love with it. It’s not a complicated version but they add just enough of their own sound to it to really create something special. The vocals in particular, with the added flourishes and a make-shift chorus, give their version a refreshingly unique vibe.

Future of Forestry brings heaven to earth.

This is my favorite Christmas song. This version of “Joy to the World” is like a glimpse into heaven for me. I can’t begin to explain how powerfully it impacts me every single time I listen to it. I am transported and overwhelmed by the beauty of it all. The original recorded version that Future of Forestry released in 2010 is wonderful and has been a mainstay in my Christmas music rotation for the last 14 years. But the live version that was performed in 2022 is something else entirely.

Eric Owyoung (the genius behind Future of Forestry) arranged, conducted, and sang with a full symphony and choir at Liberty University. The entire concert is jaw-dropping but the final piece, “Joy to the World” is an absolute showstopper. Owyoung deftly blends Isaac Watts’s “Joy to the World” with a few stanzas from William H. Draper’s “All Creatures of Our God and King”. Both songs are made more vibrant and theologically robust by this union. Musically, the song builds in a way that makes other songs jealous. Every few bars, a new instrument or sound is incorporated, and the beauty intensifies. The song crescendos in a flurry of sound and power that leaves me speechless.


That’s my list. Let me see your list. Feel free to disagree but just know that your objections and complaints will only make me love these versions even harder.

Merry Christmas and joy to the world, the Lord is come!

Phill Lytle
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Phill Lytle

Phill Lytle loves Jesus, his wife, his kids, his family, his friends, his church, J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, 80s rock, the Tennessee Titans, Brandon Sanderson books, Whiteheart, Band of Brothers, Thai food, the Nashville Predators, music, books, movies, TV, writing, pizza, vacation...

One thought on “My Seven Favorite Versions of “Joy to the World”

  • Steve L

    A great song, an outstanding article about the song and various versions of it, and a real incentive to listen to them all!

    Reply

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