Mary Did You Know Kenny Rogers Instrumental

Music enthusiast FlourishAnyway introduces some fun contest into the holidays by ranking encompass versions of pop Christmas songs.

Some of the best-known Christmas songs have been covered by a variety of artists. We look at Michael English's classic tune "Mary, Did You Know?" and rank 14 contenders. Who do YOU prefer? — Some of the best-known Christmas songs have been covered by a variety of artists. We await at Michael English language'due south archetype melody "Mary, Did You Know?" and rank 14 contenders. Who do YOU prefer?

TerriC via Pixabay, Complimentary Domain, modified by FlourishAnyway

"Mary, Did You Know?" Is a Controversial New Favorite

You don't have to be Christian or even religious to appreciate the raw emotion of this pop song's lyrics, just it certainly helps. Awestruck that Mary gave birth to Christ, the narrator asks her a series of eighteen questions about whether she realized at the time the full magnitude of the miracle she was participating in:

Mary, did you know that your baby boy volition anytime walk on h2o?
Mary, did you know that your babe boy volition save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make yous new?
This child that you've delivered, will presently deliver you?

Most of united states know that songwriters have artistic license with their lyrics. However, Biblical purists nonetheless object to the song's delineation of Mary as anything less than a fully knowledgeable party.

As a outcome, naysayers have disparaged this song as "biblically illiterate" and "the hymn that cancels Christmas."^1,twoAnother critic chosen it "typically Protestant in sensibility . . . emphasizing Mary'due south ordinariness rather than her extraordinariness."³ Whoa! Throwing shade over a babe Jesus song? Rather than wade into that thorny thicket, I'll just nowadays yous with the songs and let you decide for yourself.

The 1991 tune was first released by American Christian creative person Michael English, and in the ensuing years, artists of multiple genres have stepped up to cover it. With and so many musicians recording "Mary, Did You Know?", perhaps you wonder, "Who sang information technology best?" If so, then here's your run a risk to compare their efforts.

"Who Sang It Best?": Here'south How It Works

With many artists singing the aforementioned Christmas tunes, the sleigh has get overloaded. Let'south rank them and cantankerous some off the list.

In the "Who Sang Information technology Best?" series, we start with the original version of popular songs that have been covered multiple times. Then we nowadays a set of contenders, artists who have released embrace versions in any genre. Some embrace versions honor the original artist'south style while others are reinterpretations.

Since the original song version is typically considered "the standard," we don't include it in our overall rankings. Instead, we display information technology first for comparing, with up to xiv contenders presented side by side in ranked order. Vote on your preferences:

Do you prefer the original vocal or a cover version?
Which of the cover versions do you prefer?

"Mary, Did You Know?" by Michael English (1991)

Michael English's career in gospel music once flew loftier as both a solo artist and a vocalist in 2 Christian groups, The Gaither Vocal Band and Kickoff Call. The Southern gospel vocalizer released this original Christmas vocal as a function of his 1991 debut album, and it has since become a vacation archetype.

Scandal, yet, brought his career to a full stop in 1994. Ironically, this was just a week afterward English had won four Dove awards from the Gospel Music Association (GMA) and presently afterward completing a successful tour for unwed mothers. The woman English had been having an extramarital affair with was pregnant with his child. Both were married to other people.

There was an paradigm to consider, so English publicly apologized and returned his Dove awards to the GMA in shame. He divorced and stayed out of the public center for several years before successfully returning to gospel music several years later with the assistance of famous friends and boyfriend musicians.

one. "Mary, Did You Know?" past Pentatonix (2014)

The real examination of whether someone can sing is to strip away the instrumentals and allow them sink or swim on the uncomplicated claim of their vocals. Based on this 2014 cover version of "Mary, Did You Know?", Grammy Honour-winning a capella grouping Pentatonix clearly deserves all the hype that surrounds them.

Pentatonix is a quintet formed in 2011, subsequently winning the third season of the NBC a cappella contest, The Sing Off. The group has since gained international prominence, particularly for covers of pop and Christmas songs. Pentatonix'due south music too represents a significant presence on YouTube with total views over five billion.

In their embrace of "Mary, Did Y'all Know?", the musical group uses the diverseness of their commonage vocal ranges to emphasize that a small gathering (rather than one inquisitive narrator) is in awe of Mary and her role. Each of the five vocalists asks her their gotta-know questions. Having multiple curious narrators magnifies the sense of wonder in this cover version, particularly equally contrasted to a single querying narrator.

Pentatonix'due south volume in the Christmas tune ranges from a hushed, empathic whisper to soaring, harmonic celebration. This variety adds emotional depth. In addition, especially pleasing are the instrumental-like vocal furnishings and the resplendent displays of song harmony. Altogether, Pentatonix's impressive performance of this new Christmas classic opens the vocal up to a more general audience.

2. "Mary, Did You lot Know?" by Peter Hollens (2016)

Unless yous hang out on YouTube, you may non have heard the compelling voice of Peter Hollens, a classically trained American singer who has earned recognition on social media for his music covers of pop songs. Hollens has participated in NBC's The Sing Off, has released EPs of his music, and has made a guest appearance in a Broadway show. He as well actively publishes an extensive library of creative a capella YouTube videos that is worth following.

Vocally, Peter Hollens' 2016 a capella cover of "Mary, Did You Know?" is extremely sound, only it is the unusual video that will make you exercise a serious double accept. Equally the song narrator, Hollens begins in hushed tones. Then he chimes in with background vocals.

Look, what? Yes, the twist is that this rendition's supporting vocals are all Peter Hollens' voice, a signal that is not lost on the YouTube viewer who sees v Peter Hollens doppelgängers joining the original. The offset time it happened, I thought he had a twin. The 2d time it happened, I was similar, "Wait just a infinitesimal! All these guys look eerily akin." You'll want to watch this mindbending creative experience more than than once.

3. "Mary, Did You Know?" by Anthem Lights (2017)

I like the piano accompaniment and soft song harmonies offered by Christian boy ring Anthem Lights in this 2017 version of "Mary, Did You Know?" Their voices convey the song'southward rich emotional texture without ascension so much that the narrator is overwrought. Information technology'southward as if the young men questioning Mary empathise that in that location's a sleeping infant present.

The group was formed in 2011 and was previously known as Xanthous Condescending. They have released several EPs that have performed solidly on the Christian song charts.

4. "Mary, Did You Know?" by Danny Gokey (2015)

Former American Idol contestant Danny Gokey delivers a ho-hum, hostage treatment of "Mary, Did Y'all Know?" in this 2015 encompass of the Christmas tune. Violins provide a beautiful complement to Gokey's vocals, and although much of the song enjoys hushed tones, there are notable crescendos that include a choir-backed celebration of the Savior'south birth.

Gokey'due south version constitute success on the US Christian music charts. A one-time church building music manager, he has returned to Christian and gospel music in his post-American Idol career following a menstruum of recording country music.

5. "Mary, Did You Know?" past Voctave (Featuring Mark Lowry) (2016)

Accept the angels gathered themselves around Mary? In this 2016 cover version of "Mary, Did Y'all Know?", it sounds every bit if that is the case. Slowly and delicately, they pepper her with questions.

Marker Lowry, co-writer of the original song, leads this gorgeous, fully expressive cover of the Christmas favorite. Lowry is an American Christian singer-songwriter and comedian, and he is joined by the lyrical force of Voctave, an 11-fellow member a capella group. Voctave's group members accept professional roots every bit Walt Disney Globe entertainers.

Lowry's lyrics for "Mary, Did You Know?" began in 1984 when he was requested to write a script for a church building Christmas play. The outcome was a list of questions that he wished to inquire Mother Mary.

By 1991, Lowry found a collaborator to add the musical score. Although he allowed fellow Gaither Vocal Band vocalist Michael English to first record this song, Lowry has released his ain version of it several times over the years. This 2016 version with Voctave is specially noteworthy.

6. "Mary, Did You Know?" past Hashemite kingdom of jordan Smith (2016)

Within minutes of becoming available on the iTunes store, Jordan Smith'due south cover of this tune became a best-seller, knocking Adele's "Hello" out of the top spot. Jordan Smith was the winner of season nine of The Vocalization.

Smith'southward rendition here receives bonus points because it's in front of a live audience. With its soaring loftier notes, this impressive cover conveys an inquisitive, wonderstruck narrator most brought to his knees with emotion regarding Mary and the newborn Prince of Peace.

7. "Mary, Did You Know?" by Mary J. Blige (2013)

It's refreshing to hear a female person solo of this song, particularly when it'southward past someone as talented every bit Mary J. Blige, Queen of Hip-Hop Soul. The Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and actress treats listeners to a tender, soothing rendition of "Mary, Did You lot Know?"

Her cover of the vocal features a narrator who empathizes deeply with the experience of Jesus' mother ("Oh, Mary, Mary, Mary"). Although Blige doesn't enunciate a couple of the lyrics, the total result of her vocal effort is disarming, as she holds no emotion back.

8. "Mary, Did You Know?" by Kathy Mattea (1993)

Known for her traditional country audio, Mattea won a Grammy for Skillful News, the Christmas album that her cover of "Mary, Did You Know?" appeared on. She was i of the beginning major artists to comprehend the Christian tune and bring it to a more mainstream audience.

In her 1993 state version of "Mary, Did Yous Know?", Kathy Mattea's vox is non too sugariness merely instead filled with experience and feeling, merely as this song requires. The guitar instrumentals are not as effective every bit some of the instrumental effects used in other songs, but specially if y'all capeesh traditional country music, yous'll savour her version.

nine. "Mary, Did Y'all Know?" by Cee Lo Dark-green (2012)

This cover of "Mary, Did You Know?" is a far cry from some of CeeLo Light-green's other creative endeavors. CeeLo Greenish is a Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, tape producer, and former guess on NBC'south The Vox.

In that location were points at which I struggled to hear his distinctive voice above the instrumentals. (Project your powerful voice, Cee Lo! The groundwork music is taking center stage!) In spite of this, the 2012 tune performed well on the R&B charts. It was also used for the closing credits in the 2014 major move picture, Son of God.

10. "Mary, Did You Know?" by Clay Aiken (2004)

Click, click, click. I could have done without the distracting finger snapping in this otherwise tender, sincere cover version. American Idol runner-upward Clay Aiken doesn't take many vocal risks here, merely he delivers a solid functioning. 1 of the most successful Idol alumni, Aiken found several years of moderate success in country music then seemed to slip from the airwaves.

This cover version appeared on his Merry Christmas with Love album, the best-selling Christmas album of 2004 and all-time-selling Christian anthology of 2005.

eleven. "Mary, Did You Know?" by Zara Larsson (2017)

Young Swedish vocaliser Zara Larsson lends her vocal talent to this 2017 rendition. She recorded information technology for the soundtrack of The Star, a Christian computer-animated comedy film portraying the nativity.

Larsson's youthful voice meshes perfectly with the innocent questions that the narrator asks Mary. Larsson adeptly leaps from soft tones to belting it out with equal ease, and her innocent sound can help repose critics who contend that the narrator's questions are inappropriate. Larsson can easily convince the listener that she is inquiring out of a sense of naiveté and fascination.

12. "Mary, Did You Know?" past Sanam (2014)

There aren't likewise many Christmas songs nearly the birth of the Holy Savior that feature electrical guitar riffs and Eastern-influenced instrumentals. However, this embrace "Mary, Did You Know?" past Sanam, hailed every bit India'due south One Management, manages to practise precisely that.

thirteen. "Mary, Did Yous Know?" by Rascal Flatts (2010)

Although I'm typically the get-go to line up behind anything released by superstar country group Rascal Flatts, their encompass of "Mary, Did You Know?" is an exception. I found the vocals to exist overly nasal and wished they had more consistently hit the high notes more effectively. For a better executed Christmas song past Rascal Flatts—a grouping that is a perennial audition favorite amidst land music fans—instead try "I'll Exist Home for Christmas" (2009).

14. "Mary, Did You lot Know?" past Kenny Rogers and Wynonna Judd (1996)

Country musician Kenny Rogers is 1 of the acknowledged musical artists of all time. He is the winner of multiple Grammy and other prestigious awards, including a lifetime achievement honor. Unfortunately, however, this rendition of "Mary, Did You lot Know?" is not his best work. Sadly, Rogers' vocalism is flat and unlively, as if he's bored with the questions he's asking Mary.

Thankfully, Wynonna significantly amps up the energy, emotional depth, and quality of the overall cover vocal with her richly textured vocals. (I'd dearest to hear a solo version from Wynonna.) Unfortunately, with and so many other remarkable covers of this song, y'all'd probably take to exist a fan of either of these artists to choose this version over the many other superior alternatives available.

Sources

¹Scheer, H. (2016, December 21). Why 'Mary Did You lot Know' Is The Most Biblically Illiterate Christmas Tune. Retrieved from http://thefederalist.com/2016/12/21/mary-know-biblically-illiterate-christmas-tune/

²Fr Robert McTeigue, SJ. (2017, June 8). The Problem With "Mary Did You Know". Retrieved from https://aleteia.org/2015/12/09/the-problem-with-mary-did-you-know/

^threeGreydanus, S. D. (2015, December 24). What Did Mary Know and When Did She Know It? Retrieved from http://www.ncregister.com/blog/steven-greydanus/what-did-mary-know

FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on May 26, 2020:

Deni - Thank you for your perspective.

Deni on May 26, 2020:

Cimorelli .... fifty-fifty better organization and then pentatonix. Amazing

FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on March 29, 2020:

Peggy - I'm non religious, but I love it too! It really touches me. Glad you lot enjoyed the various renditions.

Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on March 28, 2020:

I love this song! Many people sing information technology beautifully. I am listening to the final music video right now.

FlourishAnyway (writer) from USA on December 25, 2019:

Millicent - Thanks for chiming in.

FlourishAnyway (author) from U.s.a. on December 25, 2019:

Angie - Thanks for stopping by and commenting.

Millicent on December 24, 2019:

CeeLo Green - about powerful & moving

Angie on December 24, 2019:

Amy Grant

FlourishAnyway (author) from U.s. on December 17, 2019:

RADinNH - Thank you for expressing your favorites.

RADinNH on December sixteen, 2019:

No ane comes close to Mark Lowry on his own, he sings this with such feeling, he doesn't need the group with him, Guy Penrod is as well amazing with this song and Vince Gil does a pretty adept rendition.

FlourishAnyway (author) from Usa on December 15, 2019:

Cheers, Ron!

ron on December fourteen, 2019:

Mark puts the Well-nigh feeling in the song!

FlourishAnyway (writer) from Us on Dec 07, 2019:

Kim A. - I appreciate your chiming in with your favorite.

Kim A. on December 07, 2019:

Kutless version is fantastic!!

FlourishAnyway (writer) from Usa on November 29, 2019:

Heather - Thanks for your comment. Take a wonderful holiday season.

Heather Pitman on November 28, 2019:

Natalie Cole performed an astonishing version of Mary Did You lot Know

FlourishAnyway (writer) from Usa on October 27, 2019:

Keith - Thanks for chiming in with your favorite.

Keith on October 26, 2019:

Straight No Chaser did a swell version, too!

FlourishAnyway (writer) from U.s. on May 30, 2019:

JD - Cheers for weighing in.

JD on May 30, 2019:

David Phelps

FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on Dec thirteen, 2018:

Sraynaes - Thanks for alerting us to this one! Merry Christmas!

Sraynaes on December 12, 2018:

The Braxton version

Is better than all the above

FlourishAnyway (writer) from U.s.a. on December 12, 2018:

Shauna - Thank you for such a thoughtful comment. It is sometimes hard to determine on a favorite for some of these holiday songs. Hope you are doing swell this Christmas season and feeling the love of the vacation spirit.

Shauna L Bowling from Central Florida on December 12, 2018:

Flourish, I had a actually difficult time choosing. I love Pentatonix and anything they practice. I also enjoyed CeeLo'southward rendition, although I'm personally not a fan of his. Sanam's version is amazing. However, I take to become with Clay Aiken for the elementary fact that his video told the story best. His is the only one that features Jesus and all the wonder he's brought this world. I idea it was very well washed, and Clay's voice sets the mood, despite the finger snapping.

By the way, "Mary, Did Y'all Know?" and "The Little Drummer Boy" are my favorite Christmas songs.

FlourishAnyway (author) from Usa on Dec 06, 2018:

Linda - I'k happy yous enjoyed this. I take enjoyed learning more about the artists and their backgrounds also equally about the songs.

Linda Crampton from British Columbia, Canada on December 05, 2018:

I didn't know that the lyrics of the song were controversial. The Peter Hollens version is very interesting. Thank you for sharing his video and all of the others, Flourish.

FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on December 05, 2018:

Tim - I'm glad that he didn't deny having affair and reject the kid he fathered. He had some pretty big proper noun friends assistance him in getting dorsum into Christian music.

FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on December 05, 2018:

Liz - It's very surprising, isn't it? Thanks for stopping by.

FlourishAnyway (author) from U.s. on December 05, 2018:

Venkatachari M - I'm glad you enjoyed this commodity and the diverse versions. With my adjacent "Who Sang It Best?", in that location's quite a diverseness of effort and genres (shockingly and so!). Have a wonderful week.

FlourishAnyway (author) from U.s.a. on December 05, 2018:

Dora - I agree that it's hard to crush Pentatonix when they're on meridian of their game! They certainly were first-class with this song. Thanks for chiming in! Hope your holiday flavour is a happy one thus far.

Dora Weithers from The Caribbean on December 05, 2018:

Beautiful song! Was not aware of the controversy. I think the Pentatonix volition get my vote on every song they sing.

Tim Truzy from U.S.A. on December 05, 2018:

Hi, Flourish,

I honey the Pintatonix version. Information technology tops the original in my view. I too like Dirt's version, but I can hear a story improve in the Pentatonix tale.

Peachy work.

I'm sorry almost what happened to Michael English, I guess he didn't know. In that location'south something ironic there that makes yous scratch your head with a large "hmm."

Sincerely,

Tim

Liz Westwood from United kingdom on Dec 05, 2018:

I never realised there were so many covers washed of the same song.

Shawindi Silva from Sri lanka on Dec 05, 2018:

Cheers and then much and I wish you the same.

Venkatachari M from Hyderabad, India on December 05, 2018:

A great article presenting the various styles of singing the wonderful song "Mary did you know?". I enjoyed well-nigh of them and it is difficult to choose anyone every bit the all-time.

FlourishAnyway (author) from The states on December 05, 2018:

Shawindi - I'm glad yous enjoyed this. Thank you for weighing in. May yous have a joyous December.

FlourishAnyway (author) from Us on December 05, 2018:

Mary - It is a pretty song. Thank you for stopping by to compare the various efforts of the singers who sung their versions. Promise you're having a marvelous holiday flavor.

Shawindi Silva from Sri lanka on December 04, 2018:

I like your article, and Anthem Lights is my favorite.

Mary Norton from Ontario, Canada on December 04, 2018:

Enjoyed listening to these different renditions of the song. Each one has its ain merit and I came to appreciate the song.

FlourishAnyway (author) from U.s.a. on December 04, 2018:

Linda - Isn't it compelling? Try singing it. Gosh, I found it challenging to sing well. Although I don't often listen to a capella music, I'd say the better a capella versions probably could not have been improved with instrumentals. They were so skillful. I'll put on the Christmas music and y'all bring united states all some cookies from your kitchen, CarbDiva. Maybe we'll get Bill to wearing apparel equally Santa.

FlourishAnyway (author) from Us on December 04, 2018:

Beak - The very first time I heard this, it was Cee Lo's version and I was actually taken with it. Glad yous enjoyed the variations presented. Promise y'all're doing well on that urban farm. Write usa something good when you have time.

FlourishAnyway (writer) from U.s.a. on Dec 04, 2018:

Yves - I was surprised at how good their operation was. Even though they were ranked way downward on the list, everyone was good with this song. That isn't always the case! I had never heard of them and was glad to learn nearly them while doing my inquiry. I was also surprised that people can get and so riled up over a song not beingness so literally representative. To each his or her own! Thank you for weighing in. Hope y'all're jingle belling your way through the holiday happily so far.

Yves on December 04, 2018:

Listened to all the choices and to my surprise and delight, I voted for Sanam. They did a corking interpretation of the song. I was rather transfixed, really. Enjoyed the story behind this remarkable song, likewise. Information technology's rather funny that some purists cannot bask the lyrics, merely at least that doesn't stop the rest of us from appreciating this "typically Protestant" song. Lol.

FlourishAnyway (writer) from USA on Dec 04, 2018:

Chitangada - Everybody on this Christmas song did pretty well, and information technology was hard to rank them. There are some great covers to choose from. I hope y'all are having a lovely December to remember.

FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on Dec 04, 2018:

Shannon - I didn't discover Reba's version until it was likewise tardily. HP only seems to be able to handle about 15 videos from a page load standpoint so I take to limit my number of contenders. I figured that information technology would not be very fruitful to offer a proper name and comments on this type of ranking commodity without the accompanying video, and so I limited the field to fifteen total. I'll go bank check out what I missed with Reba.

FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on December 04, 2018:

Pamela - It'due south a beautiful song. I wasn't aware of the controversy before I did my research for this article. That'southward such a shame. Thank you for reading!

Linda Lum from Washington State, U.s.a. on December 04, 2018:

Flourish, this has become my new favorite Christmas song. There really isn't a bad version, simply as a vocalist, I appreciate the acapella past Pentatonix.

Bill The netherlands from Olympia, WA on December 04, 2018:

My favorite Christmas song....Smith or Mattea....although I'll listen to anyone singing this stunningly beautiful song.

Chitrangada Sharan from New Delhi, India on December 04, 2018:

What a beautiful collection of songs. I listened to some of your videos. It's difficult to choose, i favourite.

Thanks for sharing this wonderful article, with wonderful collection of videos. And then well timed, for the holidays and the upcoming festivals.

Thanks for sharing!

Shannon Henry from Texas on Dec 04, 2018:

Oh, good one! This is definitely a vocal that is non sung best past the original artist. I'm blown away past all the first-class alternatives yous nowadays! Although, I agree with your assessment of virtually of them and I was surprised to find that I didn't intendance for the Rascal Flatts version (not only because it isn't the normal lead vocalist singing it). Information technology is very nasally, you're correct. The first version of the vocal I personally ever heard was Kathy Mattea, I think. Or perchance Reba'due south. I really like Reba's version, too. I'd dear to hear Wynonna practice a version by herself. She sounded beautiful singing it. Pentatonix is actually non my favorite, though I exercise similar the different narrators in their version. I judge I'm saying that I think this song is hard to choose a all-time. I'll marker "other" in favor of Reba, though.

Pamela Oglesby from Sunny Florida on December 04, 2018:

Information technology is nearly impossible to pick the very best redition of this cute song. I thought Pentatonix sang it beautifull, but some others were as as good. I agree with your comments about some of the artists or groups, such as non liking the snapping fingers. I dearest this song, which made this a fun commodity to read and listen to.

FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on December 04, 2018:

John, Thanks for stopping by. There wasn't a bad one in the mix here, but variations of adept. (It'due south non ever the instance with some Christmas songs.) I hope your holiday season is off to a great start. Merry Christmas!

John Hansen from Gondwana Country on December 03, 2018:

What a bully drove of comprehend versions you have here, Flourish. The original pales in comparison to most. I chose Pentatonix as my favourite but information technology was so hard to choose the best. I besides loved Zara Larsson's version as well every bit Voctave, Peter Hollens, Canticle Lights and Sanam.

Nifty song to compare versions of.

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