David Archuleta Shares His "Melodies of Christmas"
Credit: Paul Morigi/Getty Images for Edge Health
Us Weekly's music editor, Ian Drew, talks with David Archuleta about his heartfelt holiday album!
American Idol alum David Archuleta loves Christmas -- so much so that he decided to follow up his self-titled debut album with Christmas From the Heart.
The Season 7 runner-up, 18, talks to Usmagazine.com about the motivation behind his sophomore CD, what inspired him to write a brand-new Christmas song and his recommendations for your holiday party playlist!
Why did you decide to record a Christmas album?
For me, Christmas music has always been such a big time in my life. Ever since I was little, I was just into Christmas music. We used to go around Christmas caroling with Santa hats on, and I did that whole thing, and it was really fun... That's always been my time to sing. Now it's like, 'Whoa! The songs that I've been singing every year since I was a little kid -- now I get to make an album?'
What has the experience been like?
I never imagined that I would be able to really do a Christmas album like this, to this extent, where I have my own arrangements of these songs that I've been singing. It’s just so cool. And it's like, 'Wow, no one else sings it this way except for me, and it's on an album and it's released.' It's just really amazing to see that from where I would sing acapella when I was little at retirement homes and hospitals and neighbor's houses to now being able to put them on an album.
How did you choose the songs?
Some of them were songs that I've sung or I used to sing. So that's what's cool. And [the producers] went to Prague for some of these arrangements to have a Prague orchestra, and it was just so cool. It's just exciting to have some of the songs like "Angels We Have Heard on High," "O Come All Ye Faithful," and "O Holy Night." Just those songs -- that's what I grew up singing.
What inspired "Melodies of Christmas," the song you wrote yourself?
It sums up what I feel Christmas music can do for people. It talks about how all the different melodies of Christmas bring back memories. When people hear Christmas songs, it reminds them of things. It reminds me of having dinner with my family, just celebrating opening presents and this family trip that we had during the holidays.
Which songs from your Christmas album are a must for any holiday party playlist?
The Trans-Siberian orchestra song. I love that one. It's so big and powerful.
How do you spend Christmas?
We actually used to put on some Christmas shows with me and my brothers and sisters and cousins, and we used to just go out and bike at retirement homes and hospitals and just put on shows for people who might feel kind of left out and forgotten about because they're in the hospital or places where they might be alone. For the actual holiday, usually we'll go to my grandpa's, but we went to Las Vegas last year. We went to get away because I had not been home all year, and I'd just been so busy with so many different things. It was finally my break to be back with my family. It's so important to spend time with the people you care about.
What are your favorite Christmas albums to give as gifts?
Mariah Carey is great. She's an amazing singer and has such a big voice. My mom listened to Celine Dion a lot when I was little. I always heard Natalie Cole's "The First Noel," too. She'd sing that a lot. Natalie Cole was a big influence!
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25Oh, also, I've been attending concerts regularly for 37 years. I've been to so many concerts and have seen so many amazing bands and artists. I went to 3 this year (should have been 4-thanks, Demi). In all those years, probably at least 75 concerts, this was the first one I've had cancelled. Concerts should NEVER be cancelled, unless there's a good reason, like your guitarist dies or something. Disney should teach that lesson to these spoiled, untalented, bratty artists they keep pushing on the public. David should have been the headliner, and if he had been, I'm sure it would never have been cancelled. But, unfortunately it was cancelled and whether it was his fault personally or not, it deserved at least a mention from David. That's why I say he needs to grow up. Also, why did the producer of his Christmas cd need to go to Prague for arrangements? Who paid for that? Did he even sell enough cd's to make that kind of expense? Couldn't they find some decent musicians at home? Couldn't they have included at least one stripped down song, just David and a keyboard, or even acapella? That's when his voice sounds best. Instead he has people working for him with overblown egos who don't necessarily have David's best interests in mind. But that's a lesson he still needs to learn. Like I said, time to grow up, babyboy, you are a man now.
No, you don't know what YOU'RE talking about. I'm talking about a concert that was cancelled way back in July '09 in Portland, OR that I had paid $200 for VIP tickets to see him. It may have been Demi Lovato's fault, but it affected many of HIS fans here, me being one, and it was NEVER rescheduled, and it was NEVER even mentioned by David or any of his people. And believe me, I checked. His people even filmed an interview with him about life on the road on the very day he was supposed to be here, and he never mentioned a word about it. Then they scheduled a solo concert in Alaska, but that's a little out of my way. Then for his Christmas tour, again, they scheduled a show in Idaho (he's already blessed that state before at least 2x on a previous tour), why couldn't they have scheduled a show for Portland? There are many smaller venues here they could have tried. As far as I know, no attempt was ever made to make it up to his many fans here in Oregon. And just so you know, I was a HUGE David fan from the moment I heard him sing Imagine. I blew $100 for up-close seats when the Idol tour was here July '08 and was thrilled to meet DA before the show, got his autograph & even got to hug him. I ADORED him then, but was really let down last summer and ever since then. I know I can't be the only one, I think he's lost a lot of fans, unfortunately for him. In my heart I still love David, but I can't in good conscious support him due to the way he's let his fans in my state down. He still has his few rabid fans that will follow him no matter what. He could stand on stage and fart and you'd say it sounds like angels singing.
I agree!!! FormerFan was never be David's fan. She knows nothing about David. David is somebody who will always try to do his nbest for his fans. All his fans know about that. David was upset and disappointed himself when the concert was cancelled. When Demi Lavato cancelled the two concerts David and his manager tried to find another venues to perform solo because he didn't want to disappoint his fans. I bet FormerFan didn't know that either. I think he/she is just pretending that he/she was David's fan. Good he/she is not anymore. David needs loyal and true fans.
Honestly, I don't think former fan was ever a fan cause it sure doesn't sound like he/she knows a thing about David. Good riddance!
Formerfan - That is the first time one of David's own concerts was canceled and his tour manager canceled it because they could not get there safely in the blizzard. David was very sorry about it and said so on Twitter and I believe also in his video blog. And LP, David's album can be found on Amazon (in fact I need to buy another - I was one short for gift-giving yesterday so I gave mine).
David's Christmas album is fantastic and ranks right up there with my favorites. I love his take on every song, and on about six or seven of the songs, his version is the best I've ever heard. I made it to a Christmas concert and it was such a great experience. He is engaging with the audience. I went away feeling the Christmas spirit in a way I haven't in a long time. And David himself is amazing. He's honest with both himself and fans, and that is rare. Anyone who wonders about the comment below mine, about concert cancellations, needs to check out the truth. The statement is actually quite far from the truth.
Is he ever going to grow up? I used to love David, but his Christmas cd sucked. His vocals were great, but every song was overproduced. His naivete and boyishness was cute when he was 16 and on American Idol, but he's almost 19 and it's not cute anymore. Neither is cancelling concerts and never rescheduling or even acknowledge his fan's disappointment. Time to grow up, babyboy.
David I have loved your music since! And went looking for your Christmas CD and can't find it anywhere; Please release it again next year so I can buy it also I wish You would come close to Pittsburgh Pa for a concert! my granddgt and I would love to see you in concert! Please keep the music coming loved your 1st CD!!!!
I hear Davids versions of these classics like I have never before. Amazing vocals! Fantastic arrangements! This album will be played in my home for many years to come. Beautiful...
I love you david
Dorothy - If my true comment doesnt warrent a response then why did you give one? Dumba**
Loved his Xmas CD. This guy is top of today's teeny pop singers. Rarely find any 19 years singers these days have such a soulful voice. I really can't wait for his sophmore album
I saw David Archuletta in concert Feb 2009 at Sandler Performing art center in Va Beach. His performance was outstanding and he sounds even better in person than his recordings. His Christmas album is the best, and that comment about his intelligence based on his looks is ridiculous and ignorant as well.
Thanks for the great interview with David. His Christmas album is so amazing! If you haven't purchased it, please do because it is a treat! David Archuleta is such a wonderful and talented person.
Christmas from the heart is the best cd on the market. I sent 2 to my doctors office, and they sent me a thank you and said they are playing it in there office for every one to hear. They said now we know why you like him (David) so much. That is a beauiful cd. And thank you so much for sharing it with us.
To Anon, David is a straight A student. For you to judge someone's intelligence by their picture makes you look pretty dumb. David writes his own music. He wrote 6 in one week. Do you ever do that? David has an expressive personality. He thinks way faster than he speaks that's why sometimes he gets tongue-tied but he is very smart.
Agreed Dorothy -I'm sure "Anon" looks like a rocket scientist in his/hers pictures. David is brilliant and hot and honest and beautiful inside and out. There is no one who can perform and sing live as amazingly as he can (no makeup, no bizarre outfits, no dancers to distract you. Just pure voice and joy!).
"This guy might be an amazing singer and have a great personality but doesnt he look a little.... slow....? Im sry. " This comment does even warrant a response, it's so asinine.
This guy might be an amazing singer and have a great personality but doesnt he look a little.... slow....? Im sry.
I love love David soo much