Ten Versions of O Holy Night, Ranked

O Holy Night. The ultimate diva Christmas song. Those long notes. Those high notes. It can only be sung belted. Here are ten recordings available on Spotify, ranked.

10. Carpenters

This is sung all “ooo-oooo-oooh!” What a ripoff! 1/5

9. NSYNC
This is an a cappella version. The introduction is way too long at nearly forty-five seconds. This might have been better as solo voices a cappella. The “fall on your knees” part completely lacks energy. 1/5

8. Christina Aguilera

It's a little too ad-libbed, and she increases volume at odd places. The inclusion of the Our Father is weird too. The choir in the second chorus is a nice touch. However, after that it falls apart into one jazzy ad-libbed mess. It's certainly her own, but it doesn't work. 2/5

7. Carola feat. Paul Potts

This has an unnecessary choral introduction. The vocalists' voices don't mix well together. Their harmony sounds very strange. It might have been better if they performed separately. 2/5

6. Cascada

This is a nice pop ballad version. It's simple, to the point, with no extra affectation, and doesn't go on too long. 3/5

5. Whitney Houston

She treads lightly in the first voice, but the full diva comes out in the second chorus. 3/5

4. Sufjan Stevens

It's sweet. In fact, it's way too twee. It sounds like you and your friends and/or family singing in the living room accompanied by someone's ukelele and toy xylophone/recorder/harmonica. However, it's one of the most emotionally resonating. Maybe it will draw a tear and conjure a memory of a past, happier holiday. 4/5

3. Tracy Chapman

This one also has an unnecessary introduction that doesn't fit with the song. This is a more understated version. The acoustic guitar gives it an almost medieval feel. It's simple but effective. 4/5

2. Susan Boyle

This is a straightforward, lovely version that you'd want to hear at church or a holiday concert. It's beautifully sung but missing that “diva” quality that I suppose misses the point of the song. 5/5

1. Mariah Carey

This is Mariah earlier in her career and at the top of her game. She is loud and clear with none of the breathiness she became prone to. Even those who are sick of “All I Want for Christmas is You” can't get sick of this. The backing choir is sparingly and nicely used here. 5/5