The Magic Of Christmas Songs: 'How Can It Be'?

Singer and actress Mandy Moore has released a two-track holiday single featuring a new song, How Could This Be Christmas? and a cover of the classic It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year. Moore co-wrote the former with her husband, Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes, and producer Mike Viola. The new song is a tender, country-style tune that captures the feeling of loneliness during the holidays.

Mandy Moore's take on the song

In 2023, Mandy Moore released a two-track holiday single, featuring a cover of the classic "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" and an original song, "How Could This Be Christmas?"—a tender, country-tinged tune that Moore co-wrote with her husband, Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes, and producer Mike Viola.

"How Could This Be Christmas?" captures the feeling of being alone during the holidays, with lyrics such as, "Somehow I’m putting on a record/For you, I’m wrapping up a present/For you, are at the top of my wishlist/How could this be Christmas without you?" In a statement, Moore explained the inspiration behind the song: "The holidays are certainly going to feel verifiably different this year and in this vein, I challenged myself (and Mike and Taylor) to write a song that hinted at the acknowledgment of something missing without being too specific…Because if we’ve learned anything in this season of change, it’s the recognition that those we love and cherish are what’s most important and worth celebrating. And that felt like a message to get behind during this special time of year."

Viola played bass and guitar on both tracks, while Goldsmith provided background vocals, guitar, and bass. The single also featured contributions from Lee Pardini on keys and Griffin Goldsmith on drums, with Eric Lea arranging and playing the strings on "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year."

The song's country-tinged tune

Mandy Moore's "How Could This Be Christmas?" is a tender, country-tinged tune that captures the feeling of loneliness during the holidays. The song, co-written with her husband Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes and producer Mike Viola, reflects on the absence of a loved one during the festive season. In the song, Moore sings about how she's going through the motions of the holidays, but the joy of the season is missing without that special someone.

The lyrics, "Somehow I’m putting on a record/For you, I’m wrapping up a present/For you, are at the top of my wishlist/How could this be Christmas without you?" poignantly convey the sense of longing and sadness that can sometimes accompany the holidays. The song's country-tinged sound, with its gentle twang of guitar and Moore's emotive vocals, adds to the overall sentiment of the song.

Moore's decision to write a song that acknowledged "something missing without being too specific" was inspired by the unique circumstances of the 2024 holiday season. In her own words, she wanted to "write a song that hinted at the acknowledgment of something missing without being too specific," as a way to honour the sense of loss and change that many people were experiencing.

The result is a heartfelt and relatable song that resonates with anyone who has ever felt a sense of loneliness or longing during what is supposed to be the happiest time of the year. "How Could This Be Christmas?" is a beautiful reminder that even in the midst of celebration, it's okay to acknowledge and honour our feelings of sadness or loss.

With its country-tinged melody and heartfelt lyrics, "How Could This Be Christmas?" has become a modern classic for those seeking a more sombre, yet still hopeful, addition to their holiday playlist.

The song's message

"How Could This Be Christmas?" by Mandy Moore is a tender, country-tinged tune that captures the feeling of loneliness during the holidays. The song's message revolves around the idea of missing someone special during the festive season. In the song, Moore expresses the bittersweet emotions of celebrating Christmas without her loved one, highlighting how their presence and the traditions they shared are what made the holidays meaningful.

The lyrics, "Somehow I’m putting on a record/For you, I’m wrapping up a present/For you, are at the top of my wishlist/How could this be Christmas without you?" poignantly convey the sense of longing and sadness that can accompany the holidays when someone is missing. This could be due to a variety of reasons, such as a breakup, the death of a loved one, or simply distance or circumstances keeping them apart.

Moore's song acknowledges the bittersweet nature of the holidays, where joy and celebration coexist with sadness and longing. It's a reminder that the festive season can be a difficult time for those who are missing loved ones, and it encourages listeners to reflect on the importance of cherished relationships.

"How Could This Be Christmas?" is a heartfelt and emotional addition to the canon of holiday music, offering a message of both sadness and hope, capturing the complex emotions that the holidays can evoke.

The song as an acknowledgement of absence

Mandy Moore's "How Could This Be Christmas?" is a song that acknowledges the feeling of absence during the holidays. The lyrics speak to the experience of missing someone during what is supposed to be a joyous time of year. In a statement, Moore said:

> The holidays are certainly going to feel verifiably different this year and in this vein, I challenged myself (and Mike and Taylor) to write a song that hinted at the acknowledgment of something missing without being too specific. Because if we’ve learned anything in this season of change, it’s the recognition that those we love and cherish are what’s most important and worth celebrating. And that felt like a message to get behind during this special time of year.

The song is a tender, country-tinged tune that captures the loneliness that can be felt during the holidays. Moore's lyrics express the contrast between the festive season and the sadness of being apart from loved ones, such as in the line, "How could this be Christmas without you?". The song serves as an acknowledgment of the emotional complexity that can come with the holidays and a reminder that the people we love are what truly matter.

The song's writers

"How Could This Be Christmas?" is a holiday song by musician and actress Mandy Moore. Moore co-wrote the song with her husband, Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes, and producer Mike Viola. The song is a country-tinged tune that captures the feeling of loneliness during the holidays. In the song, Moore sings about how she is going through the motions of the holiday season, but the person she loves is missing, leaving her to wonder how it could truly be Christmas without them.

The idea for the song came about as Moore reflected on how the holidays would feel different that year. She wanted to write a song that acknowledged a sense of loss without being too specific, capturing the sentiment that the people we love are what truly matter and are worth celebrating during the special season.

Moore's collaboration with her husband, Goldsmith, and producer Viola resulted in a heartfelt and relatable holiday song. The song showcases Moore's ability to connect with her audience through her music, conveying universal emotions and experiences.

In addition to "How Could This Be Christmas?", Moore also released a cover of the classic holiday song "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" as part of a two-track holiday single. This version adds a twangy guitar to the familiar waltz, giving it a unique twist while maintaining the cheerfulness of the original.

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