To this day, with all the covers of This Christmas out there, Donny Hath’s is still the quintessential version. Not just because it’s the original, but the warmth of his vocals along with the Christmas-y punch of the instrumentation, makes it a PERFECT holiday classic and a Christmas standard. Every bit of it evokes the joy of the holiday season.
Lalah is the damn truth! She is hands down one of the best vocalists on the planet. Her daddy was a genius and this song, for me, is the definitive Christmas song. I hope it goes #1 where it deserves to be.
Lalah is awesone 😍 The song she did with Snarky Puppy on the Family Dinner album blew my mind. The faces of the band when she sung the chords are priceless 😂
The 2 go to Christmas Sonos for me that I never tire of are: 1. The Christmas Song - Nat King Cole 2. This Christmas - Donny Hathaway Great taste as usual, digging the greats :)
Lalah is the real deal. Got that magic from Donny, no question. I got to play this tune with her last year with an orchestra and despite being unwell she brought it that night. Whole gig was Donny tunes. Magic
Before I even watch this video (I'm splitting time between daddy duty & studio work), I just want to say thank you for all you do! As an artist & content creator, I know how much time work & energy goes into the work you do. Aaannnndd... as a singer, songwriter & artist from the south side of Chicago, THANK YOU for showing love to the immortal genius, Donny Hathaway!! 🙏🏽👐🏾✊🏾
Alright big fan of Donny and Lalah. As a young bass player I was a BIG fan of Donny Hathaway's Live album with Willie Weeks on bass. I was doing a roadie gig at the Whiskey for a friends band and upstair where the dressing rooms are and Willie Weeks walks in, the people he came to hang with their dressing room was overflowing so he comes out and sits in an empty room so I go in and get to talk to Willie for about half and hour, it was so great to talk to one of the greats in my book.
I really appreaciate this Quest, Donny such a phenomenal musician and song writer, he sooo neeeds respect on this one and his Daughter's great too! The way she talks about wanting to hear her father really is lovely, you know she is carrying on the torch that her father started, what a talented family!
Something has definitely changed, because I heard the song more than once this year in Tesco and in Marks & Spencer too. So that alone is an achievement.
I love that you did this. I love Lalah. I, along with another producer named Sami McKinkey wrote and recorded several songs with Lalah years ago. As I listened to her as she put down her vocals I could hear two voices. A full round vocal and a soft whispery vocal coming out of the monitors. I have ever heard anyone with two tones coming put of their voice. I was amazed. The songs didn't make her album because her record company, at the time, was trying to have her be a pop artist. She's a true artist like her Dad.
All my life it’s not Christmas unless I hear Donny’s version in the radio. I remember one year I didn’t hear it and it did NOT feel like Christmas at all! It was sad and cold. I didn’t even notice I missed it until new year came. Now I make it a point to hear it….especially since I dont listen to the radio anymore ❤❤❤❤❤
Dru Hill's cover introduced me to this song back in the 90s. Harry Connick, Jr's cover is very different, but amazing. The OG is still the best and one of my favorite Christmas songs! Happy to join the heist! Merry Christmas!!!
Freaking love this channel. Also love This Christmas, heard it at work a couple of years ago for the first time and immediately became one of my favorite Christmas songs that I actually listen to year round, because of exactly what you described. The groove, the great instrumentation, it’s a great songs that happens to be about Christmas. Not like Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas which is a Christmas song. Let’s get it to number one
MY PEOPLE!!! I’m so glad to find people who appreciate this song as much as I do! I’ve been on this bandwagon for years while people look at me strange for my not so subtle exuberance. 🤩
best christmas song of all time Not just cause Donny is the best singer of all time but even the writing stands out from most Christmas songs. It's not the usual Cliché stuff with santa on a sled or whatever.
In a cafe with my kids the other day, ‘This Christmas’ comes on my son said “this is that Christmas tune you listen to even when it’s not CHRISTMAS!” 🤣 Edit : sent it to more than ten people on WhatsApp and added to about 20 playlists
It's been my favorite Christmas song long before you started trying to push it to number one. None of the covers do the original justice. Let's get it to number one!
There's a very small list of Christmas music that I actually like, and this one is on it for sure. I mean who doesn't love Donny Hathaway?! There's a list of 1 Christmas song that I hate more than anything... and you mentioned that one too. 🤬
Dig the initiative on this and hope all goes well. 🎉🎁🎄☃❄ That said, however, there are some truths about Spotify that most people don't know or don't care to know about. ⚠
In short, Spotify is trying to get the platform to a point where users don't even stream the music anymore. They introduced an option to "download" songs for offline play. Sound cool right? Eh, only for users because when the streams aren't being counted, that means it's not counting towards what artists get back for having their music on the platform. So in theory, someone could "download" thousands for sounds each month to play in offline mode, and as long as their subscription is in check, Spotify doesn't care. Meanwhile, artists are getting screwed over with no payment. But it gets worse... I reached out to Spotify directly about this, explaining this very point to customer service tasked with dealing with artists. They not only dodged my questions, but actually left the chat all together sending me back to the automated AI service bot. YES, Spotify would rather avoid dealing with artists wanting to get paid for their music than actually support them. This is why I tell people to SUPPORT ARTISTS ON BANDCAMP! Bandcamp and platforms like it are game changers for indie artists looking to actually make a living with music, instead of trying to "play the game" with the music industry. Because of Bandcamp, I was able to afford a used laptop that was life changing for me when I got a new job, and it afforded me a new printer which opened up a gateway to a long term career path that goes way beyond just making music. Saying I'm grateful for Bandcamp is just the tip of the iceberg of praise I can give them. OH!! And they have an app. So before you get too cozy with Spotify this holiday season, go support some artists on other platforms and buy music. Direct support means so much more to those who pour their hear and souls into their art and music than paying a subscription for a platform that would rather milk the corpses of someone's career to make the rich richer. Support Indie Artists and Musicians! Buy music on Bandcamp!
open.spotify.com/playlist/29fQzXGkzk8plslaVQ6mEi?si=ddf9df9e36934a3c I updated it last year with silence or different versions every 5 songs. This will be less effective than playlist adds and shares, but feel free to also stream it!
Hey. I think that RUclips will only credit 1 view per account every 24 hours. I have a brother in law that exploited the algorithm over a decade ago, he tried again a few years back and found that RUclips changed how they track views. I'm not sure if it's the same for other streaming platforms. I am going to just have to play the song on one of my everyday Playlists. At least that way the song gets 365 views from my account.
To this day, with all the covers of This Christmas out there, Donny Hath’s is still the quintessential version. Not just because it’s the original, but the warmth of his vocals along with the Christmas-y punch of the instrumentation, makes it a PERFECT holiday classic and a Christmas standard. Every bit of it evokes the joy of the holiday season.
Lalah is the damn truth! She is hands down one of the best vocalists on the planet. Her daddy was a genius and this song, for me, is the definitive Christmas song. I hope it goes #1 where it deserves to be.
Correction .... its Queen Lalah Hathaway.
Omg queennnnnnnnn
I think of this classic song, and my spirit is lifted, i adore Donny and Lalah ❤❤
One of the best Christmas songs ever made 🔥
THE best
Peace to The Hathaway Fam.
I am grateful that I had the chance to see Lalah in concert. And I bought a copy of Where It All Begins from her mom.
Lalah is awesone 😍 The song she did with Snarky Puppy on the Family Dinner album blew my mind. The faces of the band when she sung the chords are priceless 😂
Yes! We talk about that in our full conversation! Check the podcast or full video on @diggingthetalks
*This song is so good, I play it in JULY.* ❤
YES 🔥🔥🔥
Me too
The 2 go to Christmas Sonos for me that I never tire of are:
1. The Christmas Song - Nat King Cole
2. This Christmas - Donny Hathaway
Great taste as usual, digging the greats :)
Lalah is the real deal. Got that magic from Donny, no question. I got to play this tune with her last year with an orchestra and despite being unwell she brought it that night. Whole gig was Donny tunes. Magic
A classic! Nothing gets me into the holiday spirit like Patti LaBelle's version....you know the one 😉🤣
WHERE MY BACKGROUND SINGERS AT
Before I even watch this video (I'm splitting time between daddy duty & studio work), I just want to say thank you for all you do! As an artist & content creator, I know how much time work & energy goes into the work you do.
Aaannnndd... as a singer, songwriter & artist from the south side of Chicago, THANK YOU for showing love to the immortal genius, Donny Hathaway!! 🙏🏽👐🏾✊🏾
I love this guy so much, one of the best creators who gets treated so poorly. I love you man!!!
Much love 🙏
I appriciate the Idea and that you still grinding for the Goal. Love the Sharing Math at the End. Lets make it Happen 💯💯💯
We got this 🎉
Alright big fan of Donny and Lalah. As a young bass player I was a BIG fan of Donny Hathaway's Live album with Willie Weeks on bass. I was doing a roadie gig at the Whiskey for a friends band and upstair where the dressing rooms are and Willie Weeks walks in, the people he came to hang with their dressing room was overflowing so he comes out and sits in an empty room so I go in and get to talk to Willie for about half and hour, it was so great to talk to one of the greats in my book.
I really appreaciate this Quest, Donny such a phenomenal musician and song writer, he sooo neeeds respect on this one and his Daughter's great too! The way she talks about wanting to hear her father really is lovely, you know she is carrying on the torch that her father started, what a talented family!
Something has definitely changed, because I heard the song more than once this year in Tesco and in Marks & Spencer too. So that alone is an achievement.
I love that you did this. I love Lalah. I, along with another producer named Sami McKinkey wrote and recorded several songs with Lalah years ago. As I listened to her as she put down her vocals I could hear two voices. A full round vocal and a soft whispery vocal coming out of the monitors. I have ever heard anyone with two tones coming put of their voice. I was amazed. The songs didn't make her album because her record company, at the time, was trying to have her be a pop artist. She's a true artist like her Dad.
Let’s do this! Best Christmas song of all time!
It aint Christmas until I hear Donny Hathaway "This Christmas"
Its funny she should say that, it takes one song or one event to get me in the Christmas mood and it’s always down to the lady week before Christmas
Awesome interview thank you Lalah.
Check our our full convo on the DTG Podcast or video on Digging The Talks - links in description
All my life it’s not Christmas unless I hear Donny’s version in the radio. I remember one year I didn’t hear it and it did NOT feel like Christmas at all! It was sad and cold. I didn’t even notice I missed it until new year came. Now I make it a point to hear it….especially since I dont listen to the radio anymore ❤❤❤❤❤
This song is so great, I listen to it in June and any other time of year.
I had the song playing last year on my phone, tablet, TV, and laptop at the same time on Amazon.
yes!! I've been so waiting for this video to drop! Count me in! We can do this!
You got us Lalah! That's a hellava Christmas present for us... Thank you
Let's get Donnie to #1
Should be number 1 every year!!!
Lalah is so gorgeous….didnt khow this was a song she redid with her dad….
I love you Lalah!!!!! Your voice is so special!!!! Thank you for sharing it with us!!!
Dru Hill's cover introduced me to this song back in the 90s. Harry Connick, Jr's cover is very different, but amazing. The OG is still the best and one of my favorite Christmas songs! Happy to join the heist! Merry Christmas!!!
Freaking love this channel.
Also love This Christmas, heard it at work a couple of years ago for the first time and immediately became one of my favorite Christmas songs that I actually listen to year round, because of exactly what you described. The groove, the great instrumentation, it’s a great songs that happens to be about Christmas. Not like Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas which is a Christmas song.
Let’s get it to number one
I grew up in the early 70s and my older brother aways on December 1st, played This Christmas.
common digging the greats w
Lightning speed! On here and on Patreon 🔥
@@diggingthegreats it's what i do🖖
My absolutely fab Christmas song by Donny Hathaway!!!
MY PEOPLE!!! I’m so glad to find people who appreciate this song as much as I do! I’ve been on this bandwagon for years while people look at me strange for my not so subtle exuberance. 🤩
best christmas song of all time
Not just cause Donny is the best singer of all time but even the writing stands out from most Christmas songs. It's not the usual Cliché stuff with santa on a sled or whatever.
Thank you for the knowledgeable quest you have for keeping the great music alive!!!! 🥂
Do you know of a DJ in the NYC metro area by the name of Felix Hernandez? He too is a music YODA!
of course there's a sequel, of course i need to do it again
Thank you for this! Happy Holidays! 🎉
Let's get it done This Christmas
In a cafe with my kids the other day,
‘This Christmas’ comes on
my son said “this is that Christmas tune you listen to even when it’s not CHRISTMAS!” 🤣
Edit : sent it to more than ten people on WhatsApp and added to about 20 playlists
This is mind blowing. Thank you for this.
keep the content coming dig
This video made me realize (as a fan of Donny Hathaway) I couldn’t tell you what the brotha looks like. Kinda adds to his legend.
My favourite christmas song!!
Gonna stream it right after this video. Great vid. TY.
YES 🔥
Queen Lala Hathaway let us do the mission again for this Christmas. Digging the greats let us do it.
Year number 2. Let’s get it
We got this!
I knew you wouldn't let me down! LETS GET THIS DONE!
WE GOT THIS 🔥🔥🔥
You out here doing the lords work brotha!
Great track by Donny Hathaway
Straight up if don't hear the original this Xmas there ain't no Xmas
It's been my favorite Christmas song long before you started trying to push it to number one. None of the covers do the original justice. Let's get it to number one!
I'm on it! Gonna start streaming it right after this video. Let's do this! 🙌
YES 🔥
I love her!!!
There's a very small list of Christmas music that I actually like, and this one is on it for sure. I mean who doesn't love Donny Hathaway?! There's a list of 1 Christmas song that I hate more than anything... and you mentioned that one too. 🤬
We have the power to fix it - MAKE THAT CHANGE
Amazing
Dig the initiative on this and hope all goes well. 🎉🎁🎄☃❄
That said, however, there are some truths about Spotify that most people don't know or don't care to know about. ⚠
In short, Spotify is trying to get the platform to a point where users don't even stream the music anymore.
They introduced an option to "download" songs for offline play. Sound cool right? Eh, only for users because when the streams aren't being counted, that means it's not counting towards what artists get back for having their music on the platform. So in theory, someone could "download" thousands for sounds each month to play in offline mode, and as long as their subscription is in check, Spotify doesn't care. Meanwhile, artists are getting screwed over with no payment.
But it gets worse...
I reached out to Spotify directly about this, explaining this very point to customer service tasked with dealing with artists. They not only dodged my questions, but actually left the chat all together sending me back to the automated AI service bot. YES, Spotify would rather avoid dealing with artists wanting to get paid for their music than actually support them.
This is why I tell people to SUPPORT ARTISTS ON BANDCAMP!
Bandcamp and platforms like it are game changers for indie artists looking to actually make a living with music, instead of trying to "play the game" with the music industry. Because of Bandcamp, I was able to afford a used laptop that was life changing for me when I got a new job, and it afforded me a new printer which opened up a gateway to a long term career path that goes way beyond just making music. Saying I'm grateful for Bandcamp is just the tip of the iceberg of praise I can give them. OH!! And they have an app.
So before you get too cozy with Spotify this holiday season, go support some artists on other platforms and buy music. Direct support means so much more to those who pour their hear and souls into their art and music than paying a subscription for a platform that would rather milk the corpses of someone's career to make the rich richer.
Support Indie Artists and Musicians!
Buy music on Bandcamp!
Bruuuuuhhhhh he literally got lalah Hathaway on the joint wtf!
Yes Yes Yes. This Christmas is a staple.
And she's so damn beautiful 😍
I drove my girlfriend nuts, just randomly hitting unmute on it for a few days. Happy to help again this year
I used to watch videos of Lalah singing chords in choir class. I dont know how i never realized she was donny's daughter...
I play This Christmas every year, and if we keep up the momentum we can get it to No. 1.
Where is the link to the spirit playlist with 1200 "this christmas"es?
Should call it This Christmas Heist
We need more tribe videos please can you do a video on peoples instinctive travels
Let's Go!
Running it back this year?
Apple music streams move the needle at all or does it need to be spotify?
Either! Whatever streaming service you got!
@@diggingthegreats I should have listened for 30 more seconds before I commented lol… thanks!
Thanks! I prefer TIDAL and play it there all the time.
As Curtis Mayfield once said “let’s do it again!”
content 🔥
Done
Think im good for 102hrs. Lets Gooooooo!!! ❤ Christmas season has started. (For my fellow nerds... 6hrs a day x 17 days before Dec. 25th)
LETS GO 🔥🔥
Do we get bonus points from the algorithm overlords if above this year’s plan we stream last year’s playlist?? 😅
It certainly couldn't hurt!
Please breakdown Do For Love by Pac 🙏😊
we doing this again this year?
I DO NOT like covers of this song because the Donny Hathaway ORIGINAL is so beloved to me.
I sampled this to make a christmas themed song lol
🔥🔥🔥❤️
👏👏👏👏
Where’s the Spotify playlist link?
open.spotify.com/playlist/29fQzXGkzk8plslaVQ6mEi?si=ddf9df9e36934a3c I updated it last year with silence or different versions every 5 songs. This will be less effective than playlist adds and shares, but feel free to also stream it!
Rip Donny
PART 2 LETS FUCKING GOOOOO🫡
Need a suggestion for a 5th Playlist. So far, it is on my Donny Hathaway, Holiday, Soul XMas, and Strictly This Christmas playlists.
You could make your own “Literally Just This Christmas” 😂
Hey. I think that RUclips will only credit 1 view per account every 24 hours. I have a brother in law that exploited the algorithm over a decade ago, he tried again a few years back and found that RUclips changed how they track views. I'm not sure if it's the same for other streaming platforms. I am going to just have to play the song on one of my everyday Playlists. At least that way the song gets 365 views from my account.
She’s 54?!? 😍
It only took Brenda Lee's "rocking around the Christmas tree" 65 years but keep on y'all.
WE GOT THIS 🔥🔥🔥
“Here’s the original”….
TWO UNSKIPPABLE ADS! 😡😡😡😂😂😂😂
Aww man! RUclips auto picks the placement and I can’t adjust it 👎
I streamed the f out of it, now I’m sick of it
No no no I didn’t mean it, I love the song, I love Donny, I love everyone, I love his daughter. I will stream the shit out of it again, promise
Done