the AMP Issue 74

Author

PAUL SAUNDERS
December 25, 2024

"Holiday [and Holyday] songs are like a warm blanket for the soul, instantly transporting you to a place of joy and nostalgia, reminding you of the magic of the season."

In This Issue... 8 pages [about 11ish minutes to read, but lots longer to Listen to...] You'll Get... 

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• The 12 Greatest Holiday Songs of All Time— Celebrate the brilliance of these iconic tunes with us.

• PS from PS— A Holiday Legacy from Songwriters and Our Gift For You

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Here’s the playlist

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• The 12 Greatest Holiday Songs of All Time (with Songwriter Credits)

These songs are a testament to the artistry of their creators, offering us moments of joy, reflection, and connection. New Music Lives™ is happy to share this musical journey with our readers and inspire you to celebrate the Holidays  and Holydays with gratitude for the Songwriters who brought these melodies into our lives.

Celebrate the brilliance of these iconic tunes with us. Tap the song title to go to the YouTube video.

And of course, 'The 12 Greatest...' says who? What are yours...?

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White Christmas by Bing Crosby
Songwriter: Irving Berlin

Written in 1942, this timeless classic evokes nostalgic memories of snowy festivities and is the best-selling single recording of all time!.

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Silent Night by Pentatonix
Songwriters: Franz Xaver Gruber (melody), Joseph Mohr (lyrics)

Originally composed in 1818, this beloved carol captures the peaceful essence of Christmas Eve.
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All I Want for Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey
Songwriters: Mariah Carey and Walter Afanasieff

Released in 1994, this modern anthem has become a global phenomenon of holiday cheer.
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Feliz Navidad by José Feliciano
Songwriter: José Feliciano

His joyful bilingual song from 1970 is a festive celebration of holiday unity and cheer.
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The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) by Nat King Cole
Songwriters: Mel Tormé and Bob Wells

Written in 1945, this warm and cozy tune epitomizes the spirit of the season.

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Jingle Bell Rock by Bobby Helms
Songwriters: Joe Beal and Jim Boothe

Released in 1957, this rock ‘n’ roll holiday staple is as fun and catchy today as ever.
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Last Christmas by Wham!
Songwriter: George Michael

This bittersweet synth-pop holiday hit from 1984 has captivated listeners for decades.
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O Holy Night by Celine Dion
Songwriters: Adolphe Adam (melody), Placide Cappeau (lyrics)

Composed in 1847, this reverent carol celebrates the Nativity with powerful emotion.
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Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer by Gene Autry
Songwriter: Johnny Marks

Inspired by the 1939 storybook, this 1949 hit is a holiday favorite for all ages.
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Mary, Did You Know? by Pentatonix
Songwriters: Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene

This modern hymn explores the wonder of Mary’s role in the Nativity.
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Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Frank Sinatra
Songwriters: Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane

Written in 1944 for the film Meet Me in St. Louis, this song is about cherishing loved ones.
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Deck the Halls by Nat King Cole
Songwriters: Traditional Welsh carol, English lyrics by Thomas Oliphant

This lively carol celebrates the joy of the season with its jubilant melody.

Thanks for celebrating the brilliance of these iconic tunes with us.

Happy Holiday and HolyDay listening.

in partnership with YOU

Introducing TrueFan Boost™, the first game-changing tool from New Music Lives™, and we want YOU to be among the first to test it.

What if you could turn every performance— from coffee shop gigs to Instagram Lives— into real, Right Now, sustainable income? Not through traditional tips or merch sales, but through a revolutionary digital support system designed specifically for independent artists.

Here's what TrueFan Boost™ offers... 

• Zero upfront costs or monthly fees
• Accept digital support ANYWHERE you perform (live shows, house concerts, social media, busking)
• Keep 80% of every contribution (we only earn when you earn)
• All transaction fees are covered (you get your full 80%)
• Seamless integration with Instagram, TikTok, and your website

And the most exciting part...As a beta tester, you'll:

• Shape the future of independent music income
• Get exclusive early access to our entire suite of career-building tools
• Receive direct support from our founder team
• Have your feedback directly influence product development

We're only accepting a small select group of beta testers RIGHT NOW, and spots will fill quickly.

So... Ready to start earning the income your music deserves? 

Email me directly at [email protected] with "Beta Tester" in the subject line.

Don't wait— this opportunity is limited, and once the beta spots are filled, they're gone.

Let's revolutionize how independent artists get paid.

Remember— there's zero financial risk. We only succeed when you succeed. That's our promise.

Beta spots are being filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Don't miss your chance to be part of this revolution. Remember, we all want to change the world...

PS from PS— A Holiday Legacy from Songwriters and Our Gift For You

The Holidays— and Holydays— simply wouldn’t be what they are without you. Songwriters. From the earliest sacred hymns that shaped the essence of Holydays to the timeless carols and modern classics that define our celebrations, Songwriters have gifted us the soundtrack of this special season.

Imagine a world without Silent Night, The Dreidel Song, or White Christmas— the best-selling song of all time! It wouldn’t feel like the Holidays at all. It wouldn't be the Holidays.

These songs don’t just play in the background; they connect us, unite us, move us, and create memories that last a lifetime.

Think of the warmth of "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire," the promise of family in "I'll Be Home for Christmas," or the joy of "Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree." Remember the quiet reverence of "O Holy Night," the wonder of "We Three Kings," or the playful charm of "Frosty the Snowman." These songs are more than music— they're moments, emotions, and traditions wrapped in melody paper and rhyme ribbon.

This season, as melodies fill the air, take a moment to celebrate the Songwriters who’ve given the world their greatest gift: the music that makes our Holidays holy, magical, and unforgettable.

And... Here's Our Gift For You...

Make 2025 the year your music finally reaches all the ears and hearts waiting and wanting to hear it. For all the subscribers of the AMP our present for you is early access to TrueFan Boost™, the first tool in our premium suite of fan-building and list-busting tools to Amp up your Singer Songwriter career.

Not just another marketing tool. TrueFan Boost™ is designed to help you:

• Build and nurture your TrueFan base... Big Time! Huge!
• Create sustainable financial support through direct-to-fan connections
• Expand your reach through powerful list-building features
• Transform casual listeners into dedicated TrueFan supporters

We're excited to take your songs up, up and away from noisy bars and coffee shops with people's heads buried in their phones or big TV screens. We want talented Singer Songwriters to skip the struggle to make ends meet and have a growing group of TrueFans gladly support you and your music and your career.

It IS the Time. This IS the Change. Big Time. 

Let's make 2025 the year you build your fan base beyond your wildest dreams. The year you create the kind of genuine, long-lasting connections that sustain not just careers, but hearts and souls. The year your songs find their true home in the hearts and minds of listeners who truly care.

Join our TrueFan Boost™ beta group Right Now and Start getting Right Now Money and building an incredible future.

Simply send me an email to [email protected] with 'Beta Tester' as the subject, then...

• Your name
• The name you perform as
• Your city
And... let me know how many shows you have booked for January.

And... if you're up for it, tell me your dream for 2025. Our job is to help you make it come true.

I'll personally read each one and get back to you about next steps.

And... from our NML family to yours, I wish you a Happy Holiday and HolyDay season filled with music, meaning, and magical moments of lasting connection. Your songs matter. Your voice matters. You matter. And there are hundreds, thousands, even more TrueFans out there waiting to discover all of you..

Until we speak again...

Wait! I've a Personal Note on a Musical Milestone to add...

When discussing ionic holiday songs, Band Aid's Do They Know It's Christmas? holds a special place in music history— and for me personally. As someone working in London's music industry in 1984, I witnessed firsthand the remarkable feat of writing, recording, and producing this landmark charity single in just 24 hours. Bob Geldof and Midge Ure's ambitious vision brought together Britain's biggest music stars for an unprecedented collaboration.

The song's impact reverberated far beyond the UK charts, inspiring USA for Africa's We Are The World and culminating in 1985's historic Live Aid concert. Being present at Wembley Stadium that day, working for a London radio station, I experienced the extraordinary momentum this holiday song had generated— transforming into a global movement for change.

As we mark its 40th anniversary, Do They Know It's Christmas? stands as more than just a holiday tune. It pioneered the concept of the charitable supergroup and demonstrated music's unique power to unite people for a greater cause. While our original list celebrates beloved classics, this song deserves recognition for forever changing how holiday music could serve as a force for global good.

What holiday songs would you add to this list? Music's power to touch hearts and create change knows no bounds, and everyone's list of favorites tells its own unique story.

Now... Until we speak again...

Thanks for reading. Give us your feedback.

And PLEASE, if you've got any Singer Songwriter friends, pass the AMP on, because... It’s Time... for a Change. Big Time. Past Time...