Song Review - “Alone on Christmas” by Madison McFerrin
Christmas is always a joyous occasion, a fun, reinvigorating time for family and friends to embrace the incredible year that’s passed, the times to come, and the loved ones who are present. While those times are fun, one of the more underrated aspects of the jolly season is the music accompanying the holiday season. For Christmas, R&B and the snowy holiday have always gone hand-in-hand, and Madison McFerrin’s latest song, “Alone on Christmas,” proves this theory true. The songstress floats across the nearly four-minute track, producing a hit that even Santa would like under his tree.
While the art of creating Christmas music could very well be considered a dying art, save for Michael Buble or Mariah Carey, McFerrin makes the most out of her attempt by making “Alone on Christmas,” an R&B/pop record that elects to become a Christmas song. Seriously, if you take out the words “Christmas” or “Santa,” you could easily place this record into a radio rotation, and no one would bat an eye.
You will find yourself wanting to play this track out of season, and no one would blame you for doing so, thanks to the R&B-style production reminiscent of the 90s acts like Boys-2-Men and McFerrin's soothing writing style. It ticks all the boxes for a great modern hit, and not to mention, the singer is able to craft a compelling track that does not venture into hokey Christmas territory but takes itself seriously enough to remain legitimate while celebrating the pageantry of the holiday spirit.
One of McFerrin’s greatest strengths is her buttery smooth voice, where every run, note, or soft-spoken letter has an innate angelic quality that makes the lyrics feel passionate in conveying the message of missing a lover or simply, well… Not wanting to feel alone on Christmas.
One excellent quality the song possesses is its ability to remain grounded lyrically. It doesn't feel the need to go over your head with fancy metaphors or over-the-top, unnecessary lyrical imagery. Instead, she crafts the song that makes you look forward to the holiday with child-like anticipation, of course, with a love-hungry take.
Overall, "Alone on Christmas" is a delightful festive song that puts you in the mood to get excited for the holiday season and the gift of love. Its production is fantastic, and the singer/songwriter takes full advantage of this by providing a stocking stuffer soundtrack for you to enjoy! Take a listen to the song here!
