Why “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” Brings Brett Eldredge to Tears

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ABC/Mark LevineIn the years since it was originally written for Judy Garland to sing it in the 1944 film Meet Me in St. Louis, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” has become one of the most often-covered holiday songs of all time.

Brett Eldredge confesses that the yuletide classic means something special to him, and it’s a sentiment you might not expect. The “Wanna Be That Song” hitmaker confesses he’s often focusing on those whose Christmas may not be looking so grand while he’s singing.  

“It’s one of my favorite songs, just in general, ever, because I find so much magic in Christmas music,” he says. “I feel like this song has such a wonderful message. And I know that not everybody gets to have a merry little Christmas, and when I sing it I want everybody to… find that magic in it and that special feeling that it brings every year. So when I’m singing that, I’m just really hoping that everybody feels that, and it brings me to tears almost every time I get to sing it.”

You can hear Brett’s rendition of the song that’s been ranked as the third-most-performed holiday tune of all time tonight on the 2016 edition of CMA Country Christmas. It premieres at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” is also featured on Brett’s new big band yuletide project, titled Glow.  

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