What Christmas Means

What Christmas Means
Studio album by
Kem
ReleasedOctober 16, 2012 (2012-10-16)
GenreR&B[1]
Length42:07
LabelMotown
Kem chronology
Intimacy: Album III
(2010) 		What Christmas Means
(2012) 		Promise to Love
(2014)

What Christmas Means is the fourth studio album by American singer Kem. It was released by Motown Records on October 16, 2012 in the United States. His first Christmas album, the album features traditional Christmas songs, along with original material. Guests on the album features Ledisi and the Detroit Gospel Choir. What Christmas Means peaked at number 64 on the US Billboard 200 and number six on the US Top Holiday Albums. A deluxe edition with four additional bonus tracks was issued on October 29, 2013.[2]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]

Andy Kellman, writing for Allmusic, wrote that "Kem followers probably know to approach What Christmas Means without the expectation of hearing a thunderous version of "Little Drummer Boy" or collaborations with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Sure enough, the singer and songwriter's first Christmas album is filled with the same relaxed, romantic, spiritual, and gently uplifting moods of his studio albums. He didn't make this on autopilot, either [...] Kem fans who celebrate Christmas will likely value this disc as a seasonal staple for years to come."[1]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Glorify the King"
  • Kem
  • Melanie Rutherford
  • Troi Owens
3:28
2."What Christmas Means"
  • Kem
  • Rutherford
5:48
3."A Christmas Song for You"
  • Kem
  • Rutherford
5:49
4."Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"
4:10
5."Christmas Time Is Here"
4:13
6."The Christmas Song"
4:13
7."Be Mine for Christmas" (featuring Ledisi)
4:17
8."Merry Christmas Baby"
2:46
9."We Three Kings"John Henry Hopkins Jr.4:35
10."Do Wop Christmas (That's What Christmas Is About)"
  • Kem
  • Rutherford
2:48
Deluxe edition bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
11."Jesus" (featuring Patti LaBelle & Ronald Isley)
  • Kem
  • Rutherford
4:45
12."Bethlehem"
  • Kem
  • Randy Bowland
4:34
13."Home for Christmas"Kem4:15
14."Lullaby Noel"Kem3:01

Sample credits

Charts

Release history

Region Date Edition Format(s) Label Ref.
Various October 16, 2012 Standard
Motown [7]
Various October 29, 2013 Deluxe
  • CD
  • digital download
 Motown [2]

References

  1. ^ a b c Kellman, Andy. "What Christmas Means". AllMusic. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "What Christmas Means (Deluxe edition)". iTunes (US). Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  3. ^ "Kem Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  4. ^ "Kem Chart History (Holiday Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  5. ^ "Kem Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  6. ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2013". Billboard. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  7. ^ "What Christmas Means". iTunes (US). Retrieved September 20, 2020.