SINGLE REVIEW: STEPHANIE RYANN - WHAT CHRISTMAS MEANS TO ME (DOUBLE SINGLE REVIEW)

If we're totally honest the #TEAMw21 mail box has been hit with Christmas singles since about October and none of them have been worthy of mention. Rather than saying "Bah humbug" to the Festive season - we've dug into the back catalogue of Stephanie Ryann, who has been peppering us with great singles for the last eighteen months and seems on the verge of something special for something suitably seasonal.

What we found was "What Christmas Means To Me" a song that is the right combination of sentiments with a personal touch, evoking the sensations of Christmas, by just pushing the right buttons. Christmas in the Ryann household is painted as a warm welcoming place to be and in these current times, it represents a picture postcard feeling of happiness that the world could do with.

The opening verses give that feeling of things slowing down where most of us can just relax for a few days. There's a prominent drum keeping a steady beat with a mixture of guitars and keyboards giving the feeling of Christmas without going to schmaltzy!

"Snow is falling all around

For a moment the world slows down

The lights around us are all aglow

A time to kiss under mistletoe, mmm

Decorate the Christmas tree

With twinkle lights and memories

Classic movies made of clay

That’s all I wanna do on Christmas Day"

The chorus also hits the sweet spot of being thankful for all that you current life has, while giving a respectful thought to those that have passed, including them in the celebrations if only by remembering them in a yuletide toast or reminiscing days gone past.

"These are few of many things

I’m thankful for the blessings this life brings

With those I love and those with angel wings

That’s what Christmas means to me

That’s what Christmas means to me"

There's room for some seasonal images and a unique present distribution system in the next verse which generates an endearing cheeky smile in the accompanying video

"Whiskey by the fireside

Carolers heard every night

Presents wrapped underneath the tree

One for you and two for me, mmm

A house filled with the scent of pine

We wait all year for Christmas time

Surrounded by friends and family

That’s the only place I wanna be"

One final observation

"Another year has come and gone

And yet, it feels it’s just begun

These are few of many things

I’m thankful for the blessings this life brings"

One can only assume that such was the response to the original single that demand came for a version more in keeping with that which might be played at a Stephanie Ryann solo show and so two years later came the acoustic version.

The cover shows Stephanie surrounded by an array of different sized candles, it may look like a potential fire hazzard however given Stephanie's former career we can see that precautions were taken at all times!!!

This acoustic version comes with a pair of boisterous guitars playing and once more it's the personal lyrics, some heartfelt, some a little cheeky that win the day.

Pick either version or both - you won't go far wrong!!