♫ Where Are You Christmas? ♫

Posted on by under Bits 'n Pieces, Global Issues, History, music

I don’t think I am alone … no, I know I am not alone … in feeling a certain sadness, a lack of joy this holiday season, as I watch what is happening not only in the U.S., but in countries around the globe.  Listening to Ukrainian President Zelenskyy tonight, I have to wonder how any of us can turn our heads from the plight of the Ukrainian people and the women in Iran while we go on with our celebrations, delight in gifts both given and received, fill our bellies with traditional treats while knowing that for some, a treat would be heat for their home, a slice of bread for their belly.  I simply have no holiday spirit, no Joie de vivre, this year.  I am trying my best to don a happy face, to smile at the right times, but inside … my heart is breaking for the people of the world.

Anyway, this song was in my mind today, and so …

Christmas, Why Can’t I Find You? is a song co-written by James Horner and Will Jennings for the movie How the Grinch Stole Christmas in 2000. In the film, it is first sung by Taylor Momsen, who played Cindy Lou Who.

Mariah Carey co-wrote a full-length version of the song with additional lyrics, renamed Where Are You Christmas?, for the film’s soundtrack. The song was originally recorded by Carey, but because of a legal case with her ex-husband Tommy Mottola, it could not be released, so it was re-recorded and released by Faith Hill. A CD single of Hill’s rendition was released December 11, 2000. A video was released featuring Hill singing from the Grinch’s mountaintop home, interspersed with clips from the film and a cameo appearance by Momsen as Cindy Lou Who.

Where Are You Christmas
Faith Hill

Oh, hmm
Where are you Christmas
Why can’t I find you
Why have you gone away
Where is the laughter
You used to bring me
Why can’t I hear music play

My world is changing
I’m rearranging
Does that mean Christmas changes too

Where are you Christmas
Do you remember
The one you used to know
I’m not the same one
See what the time’s done
Is that why you have let me go

Christmas is here
Everywhere, oh
Christmas is here
If you care, oh

If there is love in your heart and your mind
You will feel like Christmas all the time

Oh, I feel you Christmas
I know I’ve found you
You never fade away, oh
The joy of Christmas
Stays here inside us
Fills each and every heart with love

Where are you Christmas
Fill your heart with love

Songwriters: James Horner / Mariah Carey / Wilbur Jennings
Where Are You Christmas lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management

15 thoughts on “♫ Where Are You Christmas? ♫”

  2. I’ve not heard this one before. Beautiful song with several layers.
    The thing with Christmas songs is pondering on them, both music and lyrics. I don’t buy into the automatic disparaging button just because there is sentiment…sometimes that comes across as too much like posing…’Oooh look at me I don’t folk being sentimental….An’t I cool and incisive?’.
    Yeah this is a nice song, it means well and covers all eventualities.

    Annd David Bowie with Bing Crosby ‘Peace on Earth / Little Drummer Boy’……GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME!

    The ones that grate on my nerves are the ones which assuming EVERYONE is having a good time.
    I cite…
    Paul McCartney’s ‘Simply Having A Wonderful Christmas Time,’ A prime candidate for complacent rich folk to sing
    UK’s Slade (Normally a favourite outfit of mine) ‘So Here It Is Merry Christmas’ is another. (Let’s get wasted and sing badly loudly).

    But back to ‘Where Are You Christmas’ Lovely. You just look deeper and it’s there.
    Thanks Jill.

    (Oddly enough The Velvet Underground never did a Christmas Song🤔- I had all their albums)

    Liked by 1 person

    • I’m glad you liked it, Roger! It’s one that I like, though by no means my favourite. I’m with you on the “oh isn’t everything wonderful” sort of Christmas songs. This year, especially, I’m really struggling to put on that “happy, happy, joy, joy” smile as I think of so many people in Ukraine who don’t have enough to eat, hell, don’t even have a home anymore. There isn’t much of a song in my heart or a smile on my face … but I must try for the sake of others, yes?

      Liked by 1 person

      • I fear the usual ‘social’ and ‘happy holiday’ feeling might have been sucked out of this Christmas.
        A lot of folk in the UK are in a bad way financially, the NHS and after care systems are coming apart, folk driven to desperation are taking industrial action. Thus it is is hard to be ‘Ho-Ho-Ho- MERRY-Christmas’ – in fact downright insulting.
        Just try and be polite, pleasant and thankful to the retail and public services folk, and those you meet and keep on keeping on.

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        • I had read about the nurses strike, and then the ambulance strike, saw that the NHS was advising people to find their own way to the hospital, and naturally I worried about my friends there. I don’t think I realized quite how bad it was, though, until reading this comment from you. I’m so sorry for all that’s going on there, and in so many other places, my friend. Yes, we try our best, and I would never be rude to anybody else simply because of my own angst (unless, of course, they were stupidly wearing a Trump hat or some such thing). Frankly, I’ll be glad to see the holidays over. Sigh. Hugs to you and Sheila … hang in, dear friends.

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          • Indeed this is a strange one.
            I usually get wrapped up in some aspect, but this year, it all feels like another set of days, with some seasonal adjustments and some happiness with the family.
            Back at you Jill. Hugs from us and ..hang on in there.

            Liked by 1 person

            • I completely agree. I told Chris this evening that it just doesn’t feel like Christmas Eve, and she agreed. My heart just isn’t in it, but I’m making as much effort as I can, and tomorrow (today, actually) we will be sharing Christmas dinner with our friends next door as usual, and that is always fun. Christmas Hugs, dear Roger.

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  3. I’ve never heard this before, and I hope I never do again! I prefer the current version of Taylor Momsen: lead singer and songwriter of the band The Pretty Reckless. I featured them for a Song Lyric Sunday post, with this:

    Liked by 1 person

    • Heh heh … no surprise there. I initially led this post with a disclaimer that “Clive won’t like this, but …” I knew you wouldn’t like it, if for no reason other than it was originally intended for your least favourite Mariah Carey! But, I figured you’d forgive me. Oddly enough, I actually DO like this one you sent, “Rock and Roll Heaven” … not sure why, but something about it appeals.

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      • It might as well have been her singing it. I like a lot of country music but Faith Hill leaves me cold, and this is truly dreadful! I’m surprised and pleased that you liked the one I sent you. I think Taylor has a fantastic voice, especially when she gets a chance to focus it on one of their less raucous songs.

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