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Christmas Must Be Something More

The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection EP (2007)

“Christmas Must Be Something More” is a spiritual Christmas song written and performed by Taylor featured on her first extended play The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection (2007). It was also part of her 2003 Demo CD.
Table of Contents

Background and Lyrical Theme

“Christmas Must Be Something More” was likely written when Taylor was thirteen years old, since it was included on her 2003 Demo CD. That makes it one of the earliest tracks she’s ever written. When it came time to record the Holiday Collection a couple of years later, Taylor wanted to contribute a couple of original songs to her Christmas album because she wanted it to offer something unique to her fans. She told the Today Show in December 2007:

«When we went in to decide that we're gonna do a Christmas album I was like, 'Well, there's got to be something really original and different about it, or else there's no use doing it.»

The song explores the meaning of Christmas in a different perspective than many Christmas carols. Taylor wonders what would become of Christmas Day if there were no material things like gifts: Would people still celebrate the birth of the Jesus Christ, or would it just be some random day in December? She concludes that the true meaning of Christmas is the recognition and celebration of the man who sacrificed himself to save us all from our sins.

Critical Reception

Critics praised Taylor’s self-written material on the album. Dan Maclntosh of Country Standard Time concluded, “Swift is a fine singer, who finds ways to inject sincere emotion into every line she sings. They say the best things come in small packages. And that saying holds true for Swift’s new one.” In the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Kellie B. Gormly commented that the EP was “sweet” and highlighted the “deeply spiritual” track “Christmas Must Be Something More” as a standout.

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
What if ribbons and bows didn’t mean a thing?
Would the song still survive without five golden rings?
Would you still wanna kiss without mistletoe?
What would happen if God never let it snow?
What would happen if Christmas carols told a lie?
Tell me, what would you find?

[Chorus]
You’d see that today holds something special
Something holy, not superficial
So here’s to the birthday boy who saved our lives
It’s something we all try to ignore
And put a wreath up on your door
So here’s something you should know that is for sure
Christmas must be something more

[Verse 2]
What if angels did not pay attention to
All the things that we wished they would always do?
What if happiness came in a cardboard box?
Then I think there is something we all forgot
What would happen if presents all went away?
Tell me, what would you find?

[Chorus]
You’d see that today holds something special
Something holy, not superficial
So here’s to the birthday boy who saved our lives
It’s something we all try to ignore
And put a wreath up on your door
So here’s something you should know that is for sure
Christmas must be something more

[Bridge]
We get so caught up in all of it
Business and relationships
Hundred-mile-an-hour lives
And it’s this time of year
And everybody’s here
It seems the last thing on your mind

[Chorus]
Is that the day holds something special
Something holy, not superficial
So here’s to Jesus Christ who saved our lives
It’s something we all try to ignore
And put a wreath up on your door
But here’s something you should know that is for sure
Christmas must be something
Christmas must be something
Christmas must be something more

[Outro]
There’s gotta be more
There’s gotta be more

General Information
ArtistTaylor Swift
AlbumThe Taylor Swift Holiday Collection EP
ReleasedOctober 14, 2007
Written2003
GenreCountry
Length3:52
LabelBig Machine Records
SongwriterTaylor Swift
ProducerNathan Chapman
Song Artwork
Official Audio
Taylor Swift Switzerland Logo (2022)
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