Christmas Interpretations

Last updated
Christmas Interpretations
B2m-christmas-interp.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedOctober 5, 1993
October 4, 2024 (remaster)
Length40:57
Label Motown
Producer
Boyz II Men chronology
Cooleyhighharmony
(1991)
Christmas Interpretations
(1993)
II
(1994)

Christmas Interpretations is the first Christmas album and second overall studio album by American R&B group Boyz II Men. It was released on October 5, 1993, by Motown. Several of the tracks are originals, written by Boyz II Men with labelmate and longtime friend Brian McKnight; others are traditional Christmas songs. It was remastered and re-released on October 4, 2024. Christmas Interpretations served as the follow-up to their debut album Cooleyhighharmony (1991).

Contents

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [1]
Entertainment Weekly B [2]
Music Week Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [3]

AllMusic editor Jose F. Promis described the album as "a cozy, velvety, and hip quiet storm Christmas album with touches of jazz, nostalgia, and melancholy but, at times, one yearns to hear the Boyz' lush harmonies wrapped around traditional favorites." [1] Entertainment Weekly critic David Browne wrote that Boyz II Men "lusciously harmonize on Christmas Interpretations. With the exception of "Silent Night," the album consists entirely of new songs, most with mournful seasonal themes. It's a pretty gutsy move, but hampered by the fact that none of the originals are as memorable as, say, "Silent Night"." [2]

Chart performance

Christmas Interpretations peaked at number 19 in the US Billboard 200. [4] The album had sold 1,767,000 copies by December 2012. [5]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Silent Night (Intro)"  1:07
2."Let It Snow" (featuring Brian McKnight)
  • McKnight
  • Boyz II Men [a]
4:11
3."Share Love" Nathan Morris
3:32
4."You're Not Alone"Stockman
  • Stockman
  • McKnight [a]
  • W. Morris [a]
  • N. Morris [a]
  • McCary [a]
5:06
5."A Joyous Song"Stockman
  • Stockman
  • McKnight [a]
  • W. Morris [a]
  • N. Morris [a]
  • McCary [a]
5:53
6."Why Christmas"W. Morris
  • W. Morris
  • McKnight [a]
  • N. Morris [a]
  • Stockman [a]
  • McCary [a]
4:53
7."Cold December Nights"
  • McCary
  • Stockman
  • McCary
  • McKnight [a]
  • W. Morris [a]
  • N. Morris [a]
  • Stockman [a]
4:11
8."Do They Know"N. Morris
  • N. Morris
  • McKnight [a]
  • W. Morris [a]
  • Stockman [a]
  • McCary [a]
3:29
9."Who Would Have Thought"
  • McKnight
  • W. Morris
  • W. Morris
  • McKnight [a]
  • N. Morris [a]
6:06
10."Silent Night"Boyz II Men2:32

Notes

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada) [9] Gold50,000^
United States (RIAA) [10] 2× Platinum2,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<i>Diary of a Mad Band</i> 1993 studio album by Jodeci

Diary of a Mad Band is the second studio album from American R&B group Jodeci, released December 21, 1993, on Uptown Records and distributed through MCA Records. The album also featured the first-ever album appearances from Timbaland & Magoo, S.B.I, Missy Elliott and Sista, two years before the latter group became known in the music industry. New Jersey rapper Redman also makes a guest appearance on the album. It was Jodeci's second album to reach number one on the R&B album chart, where it stayed for two weeks. It spawned the number 1 R&B hit "Cry for You"; the number 2 R&B hit "Feenin'", and the Top 15 R&B hit "What About Us". Despite not being released as a single, the album's opening track, "My Heart Belongs To U", was also an urban radio hit with it peaking at #55 & charting for 20 weeks on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart. To date, the album has sold over four million copies in the United States and six million worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">End of the Road (Boyz II Men song)</span> 1992 single by Boyz II Men

"End of the Road" is a song by American R&B group Boyz II Men for the Boomerang soundtrack. It was released in June 1992 by LaFace, Arista and Motown, and is written by Babyface, Antonio L.A. Reid and Daryl Simmons. It is written and composed in the key of E-flat major and is set in time signature of 6/8 with a tempo of 150 beats per minute. The song achieved domestic and international success. In the United States, it spent a then record breaking 13 weeks at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, a record broken later in the year by Whitney Houston's 14-week number one hit "I Will Always Love You"; Boyz II Men would later match Houston's record with "I'll Make Love to You", which spent 14 weeks at number one in 1994, and then reclaim the record with "One Sweet Day", which spent 16 weeks at number one from 1995 to 1996.

<i>Legacy: The Greatest Hits Collection</i> 2001 greatest hits album by Boyz II Men

Legacy: The Greatest Hits Collection is a 2001 greatest hits LP for R&B group Boyz II Men, released by Universal Records.

<i>II</i> (Boyz II Men album) 1994 studio album by Boyz II Men

II is the third studio album by American R&B quartet Boyz II Men, released on August 30, 1994, on Motown Records. It contained the No. 1 singles "I'll Make Love to You" and "On Bended Knee", the latter of which replaced the former at the top of the Billboard Hot 100, making the group the third artist to replace themselves at No. 1 in the United States after Elvis Presley and The Beatles and the first to achieve the feat in 30 years.

<i>Cooleyhighharmony</i> 1991 studio album by Boyz II Men

Cooleyhighharmony is the debut studio album by American R&B group Boyz II Men, released by Motown Records on April 30, 1991. The album was written mainly by Boyz II Men members Nathan Morris, Wanya Morris and Shawn Stockman, and produced by Dallas Austin and the Characters. Cooleyhighharmony's title is a tribute to a real high school in Chicago: Cooley Vocational High School.

<i>Full Circle</i> (Boyz II Men album) 2002 studio album by Boyz II Men

Full Circle is the sixth album by American R&B group Boyz II Men. It was released by Arista Records on July 23, 2002 in the United States. Their first project with the label, following their departure from Motown Records and the release of previous album Nathan Michael Shawn Wanya through Universal Records, it features the singles "The Color of Love", written by Babyface and "Relax Your Mind" featuring Faith Evans, Full Circle was the last Boyz II Men album to include bass singer Michael McCary.

<i>Nathan Michael Shawn Wanya</i> 2000 studio album by Boyz II Men

Nathan Michael Shawn Wanya is the fifth album by R&B group Boyz II Men in 2000. The only LP issued during the group's brief contract with Universal Records, its title reflects the album's ambitions; unlike previous records, the majority of the tracks were written and produced by Boyz II Men themselves. The two singles, "Pass You By" and "Thank You in Advance", both performed below expectations on the charts.

<i>Evolution</i> (Boyz II Men album) 1997 studio album by Boyz II Men

Evolution is the fourth studio album by American R&B quartet Boyz II Men, released on September 23, 1997. It is their final album released on Motown Records. A Spanish language version, Evolución, was also issued. The Spanish edition won the Billboard Latin Music Award for Pop Album of the Year by a New Artist.

<i>The Remix Collection</i> (Boyz II Men album) 1995 remix album by Boyz II Men

The Remix Collection is a 1995 remix LP for R&B group Boyz II Men, issued by Motown Records. Released against the group's wishes, it began a chain of events that led to the eventual dissolution of Boyz II Men's relationship with Motown.

<i>Boyz n da Hood</i> (album) 2005 studio album by Boyz n da Hood

Boyz n da Hood is the debut studio album by American Southern hip hop group Boyz n da Hood. It was released on June 21, 2005, through Bad Boy South/Atlantic Records. Recording sessions took place at Sho'Nuff Studios, PatchWerk Recording Studios, The Zone, 730 Beat Street, Futuristic Recording Studios and D.A.R.P. Studios in Atlanta and at Circle House Studios in Miami. Production was handled by Jazze Pha, Nitti, Drumma Boy, Crown Kingz Productions, DJ Toomp, Erick Sermon, Horace "Bubba" Mitchell, Jasper Cameron, Keith Mack, Midnight Black, Sanchez Holmes and Swizzo, with P. Diddy and Russell Spencer serving as executive producers. It features guest appearances from Eazy-E, Jazze Pha, Puff Daddy, Rick Ross and Young Malice. The album peaked at number 5 on the Billboard 200 and number-one on both the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and Top Rap Albums charts in the United States. Its lead single, "Dem Boyz", reached number No. 13 on the Hot Rap Songs chart.

<i>Boomerang</i> (soundtrack) 1992 soundtrack album by various artists

Boomerang: Original Soundtrack Album is the soundtrack to Reginald Hudlin's 1992 film Boomerang. It was released on June 30, 1992, by LaFace Records. The album peaked at number four on the US Billboard 200 and reached the top spot on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in August 1992 and eventually reached triple-platinum status by April 1995.

<i>Scorpion</i> (Eve album) 2001 studio album by Eve

Scorpion is the second studio album by American rapper Eve. It was released by Ruff Ryders Entertainment and Interscope Records on March 6, 2001, in the United States. The album's title is a reference to Eve's zodiac sign, Scorpio. It features the hit single "Let Me Blow Ya Mind", a duet with Gwen Stefani of No Doubt, which won the first Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, a new category at the time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian McKnight discography</span>

The discography of Brian McKnight, an R&B singer, consists of 15 studio albums, six compilation albums, more than 40 singles, and 19 music videos. McKnight has sold more than 25 million albums worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boyz II Men discography</span>

This is the discography of R&B and pop vocal group Boyz II Men. Boyz II Men have sold 25 million albums in the United States alone.

<i>...If I Ever Fall in Love</i> 1992 studio album by Shai

...If I Ever Fall in Love is the debut album of American R&B group Shai, released December 22, 1992, on MCA Records. It was produced by group members Carl "Groove" Martin and Darnell Van Rensalier.

<i>The Day</i> (Babyface album) 1996 studio album by Babyface

The Day is the fourth studio album by American R&B singer Babyface. It was released by Epic Records on October 22, 1996, in the United States. The album peaked at number 6 on the US Billboard 200 and number 4 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, also reaching the top ten on the Dutch Albums Chart. The Day was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and received Grammy Award nominations for Album of the Year and Best R&B Album respectively.

<i>Motown: A Journey Through Hitsville USA</i> 2007 studio album by Boyz II Men

Motown: A Journey Through Hitsville USA is the tenth studio album by Boyz II Men. It was released on November 13, 2007 by Decca Records. The album was produced by American Idol's Randy Jackson and Boyz II Men. David Simone and Winston Simone were Executive Producers for the album. The album is a tribute to some of Motown's classic songs, including "Just My Imagination" by The Temptations, "The Tracks of My Tears" by The Miracles and "Reach Out I'll Be There" by The Four Tops. The first single off the album is "The Tracks of My Tears".

<i>Twenty</i> (Boyz II Men album) 2011 studio album by Boyz II Men

Twenty is the thirteenth studio album by American R&B group Boyz II Men. The album was released in the United States on October 25, 2011. The first single was "More Than You'll Ever Know" featuring Charlie Wilson. As of September 2011, the single was the most added song to radio sets on urban adult contemporary radio stations. The album featured 13 new material songs and nine rerecorded Boyz II Men classics. It was produced Tim & Bob, Babyface, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and Teddy Riley. The album debuted at number 20 on the Billboard 200, selling 18,400 copies in its first week.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let It Snow (song)</span> 1993 single by Boyz II Men

"Let It Snow" is a song co-produced and performed by American contemporary R&B group Boyz II Men, featuring vocals from fellow American contemporary R&B singer Brian McKnight. The song was issued as the only official single from the group's first holiday album, Christmas Interpretations (1993). Written by McKnight and Boyz II Men member Wanya Morris, it peaked at numbers 32 and 45 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100. It is a prequel to the song entitled "Let It Snow '98" by McKnight and themselves, from McKnight's first Christmas album, Bethlehem, which was released five years later.

<i>Under the Streetlight</i> 2017 studio album by Boyz II Men

Under the Streetlight is the fifteenth studio album by American R&B group Boyz II Men. It was released by Tango Entertainment, Masterworks and MSM Music Group on October 20, 2017. A collection of interpretations of songs from the 1950s, along with one original track, "Ladies Man," the album debuted and peaked at number 58 on the US Current Album Sales chart.

References

  1. 1 2 https://www.allmusic.com/album/r189040
  2. 1 2 Browne, David (November 12, 1993). "Christmas CD Roundup Review". Entertainment Weekly . Archived from the original on 2009-04-21. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
  3. Jones, Alan (November 20, 1993). "Market Preview: Mainstream - Albums" (PDF). Music Week . p. 15. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  4. 1 2 "Boyz II Men Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  5. Grein, Paul (December 19, 2012). "Chart Watch Extra: Christmas Albums, From Bing To Buble". Yahoo! Music . Retrieved December 19, 2012.
  6. "Boyz II Men Chart History (Holiday Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  7. "Boyz II Men Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  8. "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1994". Billboard. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  9. "Canadian album certifications – Boyz II Men – Christmas Interpretations". Music Canada . Retrieved July 25, 2012.
  10. "American album certifications – Boyz II Men – Christmas Interpretations". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved July 15, 2012.