This season, Faith Hill's "Where Are You, Christmas?" is just as likely to be heard on your local country radio station as any variation of "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer." Hill's recording of the bittersweet holiday tune has become the rare modern country Christmas classic that's not a cover of a familiar carol.
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You may remember that the ballad was featured in the Jim Carrey film How the Grinch Stole Christmas, but did you know the song was actually co-written by Mariah Carey?
A live-action adaptation of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas was released in 2000 and features guest appearances by Ron Howard and his daughter, Bryce Dallas Howard. Composers James Horner and Will Jennings wrote the melancholy "Christmas, Why Can't I Find You?" for the film. Originally, they co-wrote a longer version of the song with Mariah Carey, who also recorded the song. However, due to a legal case pending between Carey and her ex-husband Tommy Mottola, she was unable to release the track. Enter Faith Hill, country queen of our hearts. Her song "Breathe" was a smash hit the year before. As a result, Hill was the natural choice to record the song.
The awe-inspiring Christmas song is about the search for the magic of the holidays beyond childhood and in good times and bad. It makes for a mournful carol that's not completely devoid of hope.
The official music video has an adorable cameo appearance from Taylor Momsen as Cindy Lou Who, the same character Momsen plays in the movie.
It's since been covered by acts ranging from Pentatonix to Jojo Siwa.
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This wasn't the last time Hill's voice was featured in movie soundtracks. For instance, the following year she contributed to the Pearl Harbor soundtrack with "There You'll Be", which hit No. 1 on the U.S. Adult Contemporary chart. Hill also appeared in the 2004 film, The Stepford Wives and the 2015 film Dixieland. Last December, Hill starred in the Yellowstone prequel 1883, alongside her husband, Tim McGraw.
READ MORE: The Story Behind Carrie Underwood's Musical Statement of Faith, 'O Holy Night'
This article previously ran in December of 2018. It was updated on Dec. 6, 2022.
"Where Are You, Christmas" Lyrics
Where are you Christmas
Why can't I find you
Why have you gone away
Where is the laughter
You used to bring me
Why can't I hear music play
My world is changing
I'm rearranging
Does that mean Christmas changes too
Where are you Christmas
Do you remember
The one you used to know
I'm not the same one
See what the time's done
Is that why you have let me go
Christmas is here
Everywhere, oh
Christmas is here
If you care, oh
If there is love in your heart and your mind
You will feel like Christmas all the time
I feel you Christmas
I know I've found you
You never fade away
The joy of Christmas
Stays here inside us
Fills each and every heart with love
Where are you Christmas
Fills your heart with love
