Katharine McPhee - "It's Not Christmas W/O You"

A Very Merry Katharine McPhee has released the official music video for her new co-penned Christmas song, "It's Not Christmas Without You," the only original song from her third studio album, and first holiday themed album "Christmas Is the Time to Say I Love You" was premiered on Vevo on Friday morning. Waking up to a sad feeling that she won't be with her lover, the 'American Idol' graduate gets a surprise visit when trying to distract herself from the loneliness.
McPhee tells her loved one, "It's Not Christmas Without You," on a new song. Opening with elongated string chords and sleigh bell effects, the piano ballad with light percussion features the now darker-haired McPhee longing for her loved one to be next to her during the holidays. "Life on the road has made me realize how many people spend Christmas alone," McPhee explains when writing the song, "When visiting military hospitals or even meeting fellow travelers working during the holidays, it made me reflect on how hard it can be to celebrate anything when you're away from those you love."
The American Idol runner-up's first holiday album includes a slew of covers as well as the track that inspired this music video, which McPhee wrote herself. The video was directed by Judson Morgan and features actor Joel David Moore as McPhee's love interest. McPhee is forced to spend the holiday without her loved one in a music video for her single "It's Not Christmas Without You". Waking up to a call from her boyfriend saying he will be away at Christmas, she decides to make the day more cheerful by turning her room into a winter wonderland. As she finishes doing the decoration, her man surprises her by appearing at her door holding a beautiful mini Christmas tree.
With one of the most beautiful voices ever to grace the American Idol stage, McPhee battled all the way to the finals during season five in 2006. Ultimately finishing second to Taylor Hicks, McPhee has kept herself very busy in the last four years. "Christmas Is the Time to Say I Love You" is her latest holiday project, a truly excellent collection of holiday music. McPhee and her producers have wisely chosen to keep the arrangements simple. Artists often shorten the shelf life of their Christmas-themed releases by layering on current production styles. Thankfully this isn't the case here, with a classic sense of style that will play equally well in years to come.
"Christmas really is my favorite time of year," she said. "It takes a little imagination to be recording right now but I don't need a ton of Christmas lights in the studio to inspire me. I know these songs so well. These are the songs I listened to growing up. Hopefully my versions will be unique but at the same time timeless; full and rich yet simple and intimate." McPhee's holiday tune fits right in. More often than not, "new" Christmas songs stick out like a sore thumb; an unfamiliar weak spot. Not so here, as McPhee and company have crafted a strong melody and backed it with unfussy instrumentation. Even if you haven't closely followed her post-Idol career, this is a perfect opportunity to become reacquainted.