We’re featuring the year’s Best Original Song contenders when we can here at In Contention, and today, we bring Andrea Bocelli’s “God Bless Us Everyone,” the closing credits track from Robert Zemeckis’s “A Christmas Carol.”
As mentioned in the past, being the first cue on the closing credits can be a bit of a liability with the new voting paradigm. “God Bless Us Everyone” plays quite traditionally at the end of the film rather than in the context of the piece, so songs like those from “Crazy Heart,” “Precious” and certainly “Nine” and “The Princess and the Frog” have a leg up here.
But Bocelli’s song is quite robust. It’s like a power hymn to the holiday season, packing the considerable punch of the tenor’s vocal gifts. I’m skeptical of its chances, but despite some rather thin lyrics, it nevertheless sends me headlong into the yuletide spirit. Have a listen below and tell us what you think of the track.
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Comments
26 responses to “Listen to Andrea Bocelli’s ‘God Bless Us Everyone’ from ‘A Christmas Carol’”
Thanks God it plays at the end credits.. so it won’t be nominated!!!
I would hate to sit through that during the Oscar broadcast, even if its a Best Song Medley
god, cant be nominated, i dont feel this song fit in the mood of the film
I think it’s a nice song. Feels a little too “epic” for the film in question, but it’s still good. I see this being an Adult Contemporary hit come time for Christmas song airplay
Globes? Yes. Oscars? Probably not
I really don’t get why classical singers think they have to sing non classical songs (rhetorical question). Bocelli is a great tenor but I never spot any sign of emotion when he sings. This performance is just dull and Christmas-spirit-less. The song is OK though.
After seeing “Precious,” I’m seriously befuddled how anyone could consider that song a real contender. It could hardly be any less recognizable in the movie, and if I didn’t visit this site I truly wouldn’t have even noticed it. It’s playing for, what, all of 20 or so seconds?
I surprising found that really disappointing. Until the end when it gets epic. I usually dig Bocelli. They should have had Josh Grobin do it.
Jim: Sadly, Bocelli’s disability prevents him from doing the stage performances a tenor of his calibre should be doing to exercise his voice, so he’s forced into this crossover pop material far too much. His voice has deteriorated a little as a result.
(And Josh Groban is awful. Any serious tenor with a major opera company could sing circles around him.)
Anyway, the song is stodgy schmaltz to my ears.
I gotta agree with you a little there Guy. It’s a bit wee too sappy and thin.
It’s early for song… but on my site, I like “You’ve Got Me Wrapped Around Your Finger” from An Education and “Help Yourself” from Up in the Air. My sleeper song possibility is “All is Love” from Where the Wild Things Are. I could definitely see this song getting the nom though, since Bocelli has a lot of fans, and songs from other Zemeckis animated films have been nominated in the past…
The “An Education” song is such a throwaway. I know I’ve been piling on this movie the past few weeks, but seriously. If that’s nominated I’ll be amazed.
Help Yourself isn’t eligible, Mark:
http://incontention.com/?p=16533
Bocelli should really stick to singing in Italian. He’s just so much more emotive there. Also, the song was dull.
Damn, really Kristopher? That is disappointing. Was it released prior to the film or something? I’d love more info on that if you have it. Thanks!
LOVED IT..you all are SCROOGES!!!!!! Such wonderful talent he has I hope it wins!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love this song. I was the last one to leave the theatre just trying to listen to all of it.
the movie a christmas carol was a better version of the true classic a christmas carol. I love the Song God Bless us Everyone, I was so shocked that it was Andrea Borcelli Singing it, I haven’t heared him sing in English before. I thought he sang beautifully in Italian, but never did i Here him sing in English. The song is now my favorite
I thought this song was absolutely amazing, so beautiful and with such power. But then could we expect anything less from the great maestro. I also sat in the cinema until the last note was sung. He should definately be up for an award for this, and I think we will be hearing this for many years to come.
Absolutely loved it. A great end to this magical, classic movie. The message is there for anyone willing to receive it!
My Husband and I were the only ones in the theater who stayed and listened to the song. We loved it and it made us happy as did the film and the beautiful message it gives. We have seen Andrea in concert and heris magnificant!! He truly sings with his heart and you can feel it!! He is a beautiful person!
The film is a wonder. This song at the end was only the icing on the cake. I was near tears. This man’s voice is a miracle.
I loved the movie, I love the song, I love his voice. I stayed and listened to the whole song! I wish it would win
I was deeply touched and moved by this beautiful heartflt song!1
This is a very touching song which was performed perfectly. If people would listen to the words instead of picking it apart there is a beautiful message there for everyone.
I haven’t even seen the movie yet but I am memsmorized by Andrea’s voice. Makes my heart soar as I listen to this piece. He truly is a masterpiece!
I’ve always loved Bocelli, and since this song put the finishing touch on the film, a beautiful well done film with a really well done score, I loved it, I was choked up, it was very emotional for me.. ….love Bocelli, love the song