from THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL (single)
written by John Jarvis
“Once Upon A Christmas” was released in 1984 by two legends of country/pop, Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton. It was also the first holiday-themed recording ever produced by David Foster. At the time, the Canadian producer worked with Rogers on chart topping hits like “We’ve Got Tonight,” “What About Me?” and “Crazy.”
Foster delivered that same catchy, adult contemporary approach to “Once Upon A Christmas” soaring the album to #12 on the Country charts, #31 on Billboard’s Top 200 and eventually certified multi-platinum. “Once Upon A Christmas” kept having consistent sales year after year to become one of the biggest Christmas albums of the eighties and it is a steady seller to this day.
“Once Upon A Christmas” also spawned a multi-format chart single with the romantic ballad, “The Greatest Gift Of All.” Written by renowned Nashville composer John Jarvis, “The Greatest Gift Of All” is a sweet love song with lyrics set on a peaceful Christmas eve and gently sung by Rogers and Parton. The duet benefits from Foster’s perfectly toned, radio-friendly production and his electric piano beautifully backs up the singers’ familiar voices. As the song develops, the producer’s thumbprints become more evident in the effective use of the orchestra and the evocative refrain that’s as Foster-ish as it can get. “The Greatest Gift Of All” eventually peaked at #81 on Billboard’s Hot 100, #53 on the Country chart and #40 Adult Contemporary chart.
Listen
[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/the_greatest_gift_of_all.mp3|titles=The Greatest Gift Of All|artists=Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton]
Lead Vocals: Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton
Guitars: Michael Landau
Keyboards: David Foster
Drums: John Robinson & Paul Leim
Bass: Neil Stubenhaus & Dennis Belfield
Strings Arrangement by Jeremy Lubbock
Produced by David Foster & Kenny Rogers
Lyrics
Dawn is slowly breaking our friends have all gone home
You and I are waiting for Santa Claus to come
There’s a present by the tree stockings on the wall
Knowing you’re in love with me is the greatest gift of all
The fire is slowly fading chill is in the air
All the gifts are waiting for children everywhere
Through the window I can see snow begin to fall
Knowing you’re in love with me is the greatest gift of all
Just before I go to sleep I hear a church bell ring
Merry Christmas everyone is the song it sings
So I Play a silent prayer for creatures great and small
Peace on earth good will to men is the greatest gift of all
Peace on earth good will to men is the greatest gift of all