The quintessential celebration of Christmas traditions, delivered with unparalleled vocal warmth.
For those of us who grew up with the smooth, soaring voice of Johnny Mathis as the soundtrack to our lives—and especially to our holidays—there are few sounds more instantly comforting than the opening notes of “It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year.” It’s a song that doesn’t just accompany the Christmas season; it practically defines it, instantly transporting you back to family gatherings, crackling fireplaces, and the gentle magic of a childhood December. Yet, for many, the story of this specific recording is often a bit hazy.
While the song itself was famously written by Edward Pola and George Wyle and first recorded by Andy Williams in 1963 for his first Christmas album, it is the lush, richly produced version by Johnny Mathis that has cemented its status as an untouchable holiday classic for countless listeners. Mathis recorded his definitive version much later, in 1986, and included it on his album, Christmas Eve with Johnny Mathis. Though it was not a traditional single release in the sense of an original track at the time, its impact has been felt consistently ever since, charting seasonally every year and becoming a permanent fixture on the Billboard Holiday 100 and Holiday Airplay charts, a testament to its enduring popularity.
The enduring meaning of “It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year” lies in its powerful evocation of traditional Christmas joy. It’s a carefully curated list of holiday pleasures: “parties for hosting,” “marshmallows for toasting,” and the simple but profound joy of “hearts will be glowing when loved ones are near.” It’s an ode to the collective spirit of the season, a musical checklist of everything that makes the final weeks of the year special. The inclusion of “scary ghost stories” might raise an eyebrow for younger ears, but for older readers, this line is a wonderful, nostalgic nod to the long-forgotten Victorian Christmas tradition—a reminder that the holiday was historically a time for sharing chilling tales, immortalized most famously by Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
Johnny Mathis has always possessed a voice like velvet—a silken, effortless tenor capable of conveying deep emotion without ever sacrificing elegance. When he sings this tune, he doesn’t just list the activities; he invites you into the memory. His delivery is one of pure, unbridled, yet always dignified joy, perfectly capturing the sentiment that this season brings a sense of wonder and reunion that no other time of the year can match. Unlike some of the boisterous holiday recordings, Mathis’s rendition offers a smooth, sophisticated glow, like candlelight reflecting off a freshly polished ornament.
For a generation, the arrival of Johnny Mathis’s Christmas music signaled the true start of the holidays. His 1958 album, Merry Christmas, remains one of the best-selling Christmas records of all time, and his career is indelibly woven into the fabric of Christmas memory. His 1986 recording of “It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year” is the sound of that legacy refined, proving that even a song popularized by another great singer could be claimed and elevated by Mathis’s unique, golden touch. It’s a moment of pure, reflective pleasure that reminds us that the simple warmth of family and tradition is, indeed, the most wonderful gift of all.