HEY GUYS! SO I WAS JUST WONDERING IF SOME OF YOU CAN GO TO MY PAGE AND LISTEN TO A 30 SECOND VIDEO OF ME SINGING AND TELL ME IF I SHOULD SHOW MY FACE AND FINISH IT AND POST IT OR SHOULD I JUST STOP? LOL THANKS =)
"O Holy Night" ("Cantique de Noël") is a well-known Christmas carol composed by Adolphe Adam in 1847 to the French poem "Minuit, chrétiens" (Midnight, Christians) by Placide Cappeau (1808–1877), a wine merchant and poet, who had been asked by a parish priest to write a Christmas poem.
Thanks, Steve. As Martin Luther once said, "Sing boldly!" Or something like that. I'm going to turn off the computer now and deal with real life. You are an inspiration.
I fell on my knees and threw up after hearing this!! Please leave it to people that can actually sing. This is one of the most beautiful songs ever written. Don't destroy it.
@CDEAR21 If you will type in Christ Church 1995 you will hear this song and the arrangement I wrote in the manner it was intended for the album. Guy Penrod sings the version the way he sang it on the record. Perhaps you will like this one better. I am conducting the orchestra and Landy Gardner is conducting the choir. If the other version made you throw up, I would strongly suggest you not hit the play button again.
If this is what I have to listen to, to get me to listen to Christian based christmas songs.. COUNT ME IN!!! . I absolutely love the original version and listen to and share it with others every year!!
This man does not claim to be the original composer of the piece.
This man does not claim to be the singer for whom the song was written.
This man prepared an arrangement, which would make him the ARRANGER of a specific version of this piece. He claims to be the original performer of a SPECIFIC performance of this piece (which I would agree), the point of which was for humor. Please like this a few times so that, when confusion plagues the minds of future viewers, it may be resolved.
@jehovahuponyou Amen to that. It's horrifying to hear that a wonderful song like O Holy Night gets destroyed in such a way. To my ears that's not funny ... that's rape, and it should be punished.
@TheHeir23 Sorry you don't care for this spontaneous performance that was never meant to be heard by the public. If you will type in Christ Church 1995, perhaps I can repair your distain in me by viewing the real version the way we recorded it for the album. Guy Penrod is the singer on the record, and this performance is a Christmas program with me directing orchestra. Many people have been blessed by Guy's version what was always meant to be heard.
This song is good, i bealive this is you're song. You might not be the best singer in the world. But atleast you're not afraid to do it. Thank you for sharing this lovely song to the world. :D
@mablseal12 It's easy to be brave when you don't think anybody will hear it except for the people you want to play it to. I never imagined it would be released to the world and have half a million people hear it. Technically, I did not share the song with the world, I just explained where it came from. I do not know who put the song on the Internet originally and I do not know who put the video on Youtube that looks like a cassette tape. But I am glad you enjoy the song. Happy New year.
Are you saying that you wrote the song? If you were the original singer of that wonderful song, that baffles me. With all due respect, you sang it as I would, if I could actually sing, which I cannot do. Sorry, but your effort was the worst off-key rendition that I've ever heard. Did you write "O Holy Night" . It's my favorite hymn of all time. Maybe you're not a fraud. I apologize for that comment. You just can't carry a tune, much like myself.
@CelticFann2012 I did not write O Holy Night. I wrote the arrangement. Most people perform the song in 6/8 time and it has a bounce to the rhythm. It was my idea to make it an 80s style song done completely in 4/4 time. Using the Fender Rhodes and a sixteenth high hat pattern made it slightly R & B. I wrote all of the notes for the orchestra to play and you saw the score on the video. The whole performance was a parody of Guy's performance earlier that night. I sing bad, but was being funny.
I know no one knows me either, but I can verify the story. I know the studio engineer who worked on the album and was there late that night when Steve decided to give this a shot. He told me the story before Steve came out and talked about it, and their stories line up. Anyone who knows a lot about studio work can confirm that the tracks are the same and Steve wouldn't have access to them unless he actually did work on the album.
@jenandlaw Thanks for the confirmation. Not sure who else might have been in or out of the studio that night. There were several solo singers that evening, Guy just happened to be last. Kevin definitely backs up everything I have said.
Steve, thank you for sharing the truth. your gift to all of us is a christmas blessing in humor's form. i am listening to you again while i am writing, and i swear to goodness i can't stop laughin...i'm sorry...you're the man....this is great fun, thank you so much -
Please be kind. I welcome your opinions and you can say anything you want about me and my singing, but please do not use profanity or take God's name in vein. I absolutely never use such language, and for the sake of all others who visit this site, I would sincerely appreciate it if you would respect my wishes and not use foul language in your comments. Thank you!
@CelticFann2012 I'll give you the line about the dog singing better than me, no argument. I can't understand what you think is fraudulent about my performance. I was there, my engineer confirms what I say, my brother recognized my voice without knowing I had recorded this song, and I have the master tapes. If you type Christ Church 1995, you can see me directing the orchestra with the exact same orchestra parts playing while Guy Penrod sings the real version. Truth is truth! Sorry you doubt.
@steve082154 Ignore this ignoramus. I know it's really you that sang the original. There's no doubt about it. I thank you for your track. I don't take the performance seriously at all and listen to it when I want a really good laugh. I haven't laughed so hard over a song in my entire life. THANK YOU! :)
@mpetrie Thanks for the defense, but I'm not offended by the few who still cannot believe the evidence. That's why I really considered making up a story and calling myself Warren Stevens. I know people wanted to believe this was a guy who thought he was good but just didn't know how bad he is. That would be funnier, it just wasn't true and I finally decided to come clean and let those who are disappointed be disappointed. I'm glad it makes you laugh, that was the whole point to start with.
Christmas is about sharing joy and happiness to others. This song certainly does that. If your belly doesn't ache from laughter while listening to this, then there may be something really wrong with you. I laughed hard, and so did everyone else who heard your version. Steve, Merry Christmas sir.
@beardown555 I did have a wonderful Christmas. My 81 year old father and my mother were here and we spent four days with family and friends. We put a 1,000 piece puzzle together like we used to do when I was a boy, and that simple, 4.00 puzzle brought great joy to us all. I am thrilled my song made you laugh. The world needs to laugh. It's harder to kill each other when we're laughing. I hope you and your family has a happy and prosperous new year. Thank you for the kind words.
@steve082154 Glad to contact you. That song was pure brilliance and we loved it at work last year. We were all beside ourselves. I sent it to my sister and she thought it was a real song that sounded bad until she got toward the end. Then she couldn't take it, too funny!!!!!
That is what makes it work, it builds up in exuberance. that is brilliance. must do more.
You know what's sad? The song that this was parodying is dated, cheesy, and while very nice, not really relevant anymore.
This? People in 2100 will go to the XMas Tree Store in their Ford Flotilla Hover-cars (with the latest political candidate's bumper sticker on the back) and come back to their fiberglass homes to put the tree up. And when Timmy complains that Santa isn't bringing him a Pocket 'Puter 3000, this song will come on.
Congratulations, sir. You have created something timeless.
@omegaham Thank you for your vision. I'm not sure if my song will be around in 2100, but if it is I hope people will still be listening to it and laughing. There will probably be some kind of telepathic, brain insert that lets us think about a song and hear it without a mechanical device, but that will be OK too. I'll look forward to that Hover-car! Merry Christmas.
This has been one of my favorite tracks for years. Thanks for the background and I'm happy to see you get the credit you so deserve for making so many people smile.
@tiggerfitch Thank you for the compliments. Whether I deserve it or not, I have certainly received recognition from this song. I feel very blessed when I read comments from so many well wishers. I have an abundance of family and friends and I guess I can call the youtube commentors fans. I sincerely wish that my song will lift people's spirits. I don't mind being laughed at as long as people enjoy laughing. I hope you have a very merry Christmas.
@nycrjmac I certainly never thought I had a singing career. In 1981 I traveled and played bass with Chet Atkins. I actually replaced Steve Warner. On several occasions I was asked if I could sing, and I always expressed how bad my voice was and never sang in the show. I'm glad you like the song, I'm glad it makes you smile. I hope you have a very merry Christmas.
I've been watching all of the videos you've posted and I'm bowled over by the extent of your talents as an arranger. And Guy Penrod's rendition of O Holy Night with you conducting was superb. Since Mr. Penrod is a very accomplished singer I've got to ask: What was his reaction to your vocal efforts on your 1990's recording of the song?
@staonp I have never discussed my version with Guy. The occasions we are together have been in studios with lots of money on the clock, and we have never discussed O Holy Night. I do not know if he has heard my version or not.
Hi Steve! I heard this years ago when I used to work at a music store. One of our reps had it and played the song for all of us and I completely lost it! I was laughing so hard, it hurt me. And to this day, I do not remember laughing so hard as I did when I heard it the first time. Thank you so much for that moment!
@dongypooh I am happy you liked the song. I love that people say this is a part of their Christmas tradition. I love the idea that people share my song with other people, not because it is me or my song, but because it means people are sharing with each other. I make a cake each Christmas that my grandmother made to share with our family.It is a Canadian War Cake from the early 1900s and it uses brown sugar and spices. Have a very merry Christmas sharing with your friends.
From American Idol train wrecks to tone deaf wannabes on YouTube, none of them even comes close to capturing the unique blend of sincerity and wretchedness you managed to convey with this song two decades ago. It's sort of the gold standard of bad singing; a distinction for which you should be exceptionally proud. I wouldn't count on this thing ending anytime soon. It's going to be a Christmas tradition long after most of us have taken our last breath. It's your eternal gift to the world!
@lstash Years ago I asked God to show my purpose on earth. In short, my conclusion was "to raise the spirits of man on earth." This song certainly has done that. Sometimes I use my real talent to write music that inspires people. Sometimes it's country music, sometimes it's classical music, sometimes it's rock. But when God judges me for how I have used my talents, I think I can say I have used them to by best ability. My video God! #9 speaks to this idea if you have time. Merry Christmas.
I'm not sure if you actually intended for this to become a Christmas-humor legend, but I can say without a doubt that you have made my 7-year-old laugh harder than she did at the entire Twisted Christmas CD. She loves it. :)
@silverael1981 It was just two guys clowning around in the studio after a month-long recording project. I never dreamed it would be released to the world. Studio guys do stuff like this all the time. A friend of mine hates steel guitar. So I took a recent cut of his that was very soft and tender, and had a steel player friend of mine add steel. At first it was too good. I told him to untune the steel and play the most "whiney-butt" steel possible. That's what studio guys do. Merry Christmas.
@LiveForEveryMoment Definitely a spoof. I was doing a parady of Guy Penrod who had just finished singing the song on the record I was producing. Kevin McManus, my engineer, and I were the only people in the room. Guy is a GREAT singer, and I told Kevin I could sing anything that Guy could sing. Obviously I was joking. This year I posted Guy singing this song for real in church. Type in Christ Church 1995 and you can hear Guy sing it as I wrote it. I am on the right conducting the orchestra.
Perry Como. Michael Crawford. Josh Groban. All have recorded truly memorable versions of O Holy Night. To that illustrious list of names we can add Steve Mauldin.
@riquettic Obviously, the key word in that seemingly, flattering statement is the word "memorable." It is like a friend of mine who used to tell everyone, "I can't believe the level of your talent." That is not necessarily a compliment. Ha! Ha! But I'll take your comment as a compliment. I'm honored to be mentioned with those three names in any manner. Merry Christmas.
The first time I heard the song on the radio many years ago I thought, "Oh, geez, the Pixies should never have attempted to do a Christmas album." Now at last the true culprit has been revealed!
@tablacy I am sure The Pixies are better singers than I am. I am amazed every year when this starts back up. I am flattered and delighted that so many people have made my song a yearly part of their Christmas tradition. This year I posted a live performance of Guy Penrod singing the solo I wrote with the choir I wrote it for. If you type Christ Church 1995 you can see my conducting the orchestra and the song the way we recorded it for the album. I hope you enjoy it, have a merry Christmas.
I believe you! My favorite story with this is from a couple of years ago. I am a teacher in an elementary school and one afternoon just after the kids were dismissed one of my colleagues played the original version on the school loudspeaker. Little did she know that some teachers were having meetings with parents and the school day care could hear every word!! People were running around the building trying to find the 'awful singer' and stop him!! It was hysterical!
@koololdster That's a great story. My brother was the first to say he got it on the Internet. He recognized my voice immediately. He was also the first to call and tell me the Rick & Bubba radio show had played it nationally. We both decided to keep quiet when we started getting it weekly from engineers. We asked, "Who is this and what is the story?" It was a college audition tape, a classical singer, a man paying for his mother's surgery. The stories were outrageous. They were really funny.
Your version of O Holy Night may very well end up being your glorious legacy, and it's a legacy I'd love to have! You've touched people deeply with your unique throat-shredding vocal skills. The reason others are lip-syncing to your version is because no one can top it!
@isorindu You are very kind with your remarks. It has made me either famous or infamous, I'm still not sure which. It has sent more people to my other, serious videos, and many more to my website (which is currently down in a host transition). I did not control how this song was released, and I doubt I'll control how it ends. Someday people will stop playing it and that will be the end. But, it gives me pleasure to know that help make people laugh during Christmas. Merry Christmas.
you are not lip syncing, but i still think you are not the real singer of that song. Because when you are on the higher notes in your falsetto, your tone is different than the original. but it was a great mimic up until then, i was pretty convinced until that point.
@telekin17 My tone was different because my voice has dropped over the last 20 years. I used to find pitches by singing my lowest note which was an F#. I now can sing a D and sometimes a C or Bb especially in the morning. I was also barely able to sing. I had the crud and the day before I couldn't hardly speak. You can believe what you want, but every word I said is true and there are lots of people to back me up. In any event, have a very merry Christmas.
I thought you were joking the whole tine byut you're serious! Please keep your day job cause you really cannot sing Sorry to be so blunt but you would be one of te ones thrown or booed off stage at America's Got Talent.
It's first time I come across the "wacky" version and luckily your response to it.Greatest sense of humour! Your body language, I laughed length of time U sang the "wacky"! U sure make yourself happy playing "silly"- in a good sense.
Ur not alone! With my daughter growing up, we played SILLY just to have great laughs.Best times with my daughter! Good to know you're out there. As U sang "wacky" version reliving original moment,I bookmarked for more good laughs.Ur response = allay critics.UP YOU!
@MARCHIISAACONOKAH Thank you for the gracious comments.I like to laugh and I like to make others laugh as well. I am curious as to where you are from. I have received messages from all over the world including Canada, Italy, England, Ireland, Australia, Russia, and Rumania. It is amazing how this song has touched so many people over the world with absolutely no promotion to get it into the marketplace from me. Have a very Merry Christmas where ever you are.
Mr Mauldin, you are one of my greatest musical heroes. Your version of O Holy Night has given me more pleasure than almost any other Christmas song, and I cannot tell you how thrilled I am to see your face and hear how that stupendous rendition came about. Thank you for posting this video and for the joy your original performance has given over the years.
Just one thing - please don't do it again. I'd hate you to go and rupture something.
@wilus1969 I promise, my vocal chords are safe from here on. People seem to think either I am an ego maniac for doing the video, or the tell me how much they love the song and how much joy it has brought them. My intent was to let off steam and make the engineer laugh. I am thrilled when others say things like you have said. It makes me feel good when others find joy in any of my work, comedy or serious. Feel free to laugh and share my song with others, and have a very Merry Christmas.
This isn't enough evidence for me. I'll need a DNA sample.
But seriously...
Your rendition of this song has induced more belly laughs throughout the world over the years than you could ever have imagined when you recorded it. I've always wondered who was behind it and how it came about, and now at last I know. THANK YOU, STEVE!
@furn738 Actually, there is software that can analyze the vocal waves and give a DNA of sorts. I do not have that software and do not intend to look for it. If the original master tapes do not prove it, nothing else will. If you type Christ Church 1995 you can see the live performance of this arrangement with me conducting orchestra and Guy Penrod singing. Guy is the man I was parodying and was the singer on the CD we produced. Merry Christmas
The humorous version was indeed humorous, but I don't understand why you had to do this extremely detailed and earnest video.
I hope you can sing other things with a smooth legato and even registration changes. Sounds like you're hurting your voice with the extreme strain you're subjecting your vocal mechanism to.
@kirinphoebe1 I gave no thought to my voice at the time, I just went for what I could not reach and hung in there as long as I could. I do not have a legato voice and I do not cross the break smooth at all. The detailed response came because some people claimed to be the original singer and called me a liar when I confessed. I simply was stating truth and I had the original tapes to prove it. It took 30 minutes out of my life to do the video and some people were asking for it.
This is sooo funny! A friend and I found this on a church website back in my college days and originally we thought you actually recorded this thinking you did a good job, which made it even funnier. Thanks, now I know the real intentions behind the song. Just one of those moments of unintentional comedic genius!!! lol Merry Christmas 2011.
@TomAwesome39 I know it was funnier to think it was a "college audition tape" or "a man trying to pay for his mother's surgery" and other wild stories I have seen printed. People searching for me along with college students who were going to turn me in, caused me to confess. Sorry if it makes it less genuine, but I WAS copying bad singers I have worked with. There are people who sing that bad and don't know they are bad, for sure.
@MendedSlinky That is the question I can't answer. The project was bought by Star Song records, sold to another company which was later bought by EMI Records. Since my brother and I first got our emails from studio engineers, we assume it originated from one of them. (Studio guys often swap stuff like this) My guess is that EMI, by standard procedure, transferred the 2" tape to a digital form and some engineer found my performance, made a copy and sent it out. My copy was on cassette tape.
@noeljedidiah I cannot sing! Jesus does love me! You are correct on those points. The ONLY reason I made the video was because one night I found 17 videos claiming they were the real singer of this song using my voice to lip sync to. They was not truthful. Students from Belmont University threatened to turn me in and post my name on the Internet if I didn't do it, so I did it. The video has been worth it just to hear the overwhelming positive and heart warming comments I have received
Provided this is not a joke, if you were really the original singer of this song, all you're proving to everyone is why you shouldn't have been!!! lol
@barmanjoe I have dozens of other late night performances from studio sessions. Art Bain, Bobby All, Otis Forrest, and I used to do songs like this on a regular basis. I came into the studio once to find that Art Bain, Dean & Mary Brown had recorded If You're Hair's Too Long There's Sin In Your Heart. Like that song, my singing was supposed to be funny that's all. It was NEVER meant to be released. Maybe I shouldn't have recorded it, but it sure has brought a lot of laughter to a lot of people.
@steve082154 Well if it was just for laugher then I apologise. Please forgive me for my ignorant comment. All the best and Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!! :)))
@barmanjoe No offense taken on my part. This story is almost unbelievable even for me, and I was there. I assume God wanted people to hear this song and laugh, because He had much more to do with it being distributed to the world than I did. I do like to hear people laugh. Have a very merry Christmas.
Its even more funny now that he is so serious about everyone knowing that he is the original singer of the FUNNY version. Im sure people just want to have fun but man he is serious about getting his point across. Either way its pretty bad singing. Guy Penrod must have laughed quite a few times. Thanks for recording this version. It has brought many a laughter....and tears to many of my friends.
@bgbgator Obviously, a lot of people have a lot of interest in this song every year. I would certainly thought it would have gone away after my identity was released. I have had live radio and newspaper interviews over the origins of this song. As long as people keep asking questions, I'll keep answering, and one day it will all die I am sure. Feel free to just keep laughing, (at the original version, of course not my video)
@JayRaddd13 The original post is the picture of a cassette tape that I did not post. There was a guy in a blue tux that posted a version lip syncing to my voice, but that was not me. I assume he removed that version after my identity became known. I do not know for sure. The video of me explaining why I sang the whacky version is the only video in existence of me singing O Holy Night, and will probably remain the only video of me singing anything.
@iceman72566 The explanation is serious. That is the absolute truth about the song. I had lunch with the engineer, Kevin McManus, just a month or so ago and he remembers that night. The performance is not serious. If you will watch Christ Church 1995 which I just posted, you can see the same arrangement I wrote performed by Guy Penrod at Christ Church. Guy had just left the studio and I am showing Kevin that I can sing like Guy. (I obviously could not) The performance was definitely a joke.
Incredibly hilarious. The first time I heard this I almost hurt myself. It is so very difficult to sing this badly! It requires enormous control to sing just enough off so you sound like you're not trying to be funny. I have sat in audiences (usually at church functions) where I heard singing this bad....but done in all seriousness. If you are a musician or have some understanding of music, you know how hard it is to maintain composure while someone is SERIOUSLY singing this badly. Heroic
@ma101661 I agree with you. I was at an over the top wedding, that had a very professional vocal professor singing. Unfortunately, the organist was a family friend and did not have the same level of expertise. She was playing the love theme from Romeo & Juliet by Tchaikovsky, and while the hands were OK, the downbeat bass notes were completely off the wall and not at all with the chords. My brother and I were both laughing so hard we were crying, but trying not to be obvious. It was torture.
@sandrewlowry The track and the cleaned up version of the original song was placed with CD Baby this year, but they are supposed to make that available through iTunes. Check with CD Baby and if you can't find it, contact me again.
@sandrewlowry If you will send an email to funnyoholynight@comcast(dot net) I will be happy to send that track to you. I am having problems with my CD Baby account and they have not posted that track.
@thirdtalent I do not perform as a singer. In September, I was invited by the SouthEast Kansas Symphony to perform some of my classical compositions. I also was commissioned to write a piece for the orchestra featuring Tim May and his wife Gretchen. Tim is a flat-pick guitarist, and his wife is a Celtic fiddle player. The piece is called the Kansas Suite and was well received. That and working or records is the only performing I do. I certainly do not sing in public, not even in church.
Very funny, gave me a good laugh. also you seem like a really genuine nice bloke. I can see from your responses to comments that family and music are the important things in your life - a man who has his priorities right. Thank you, from England.
@nowt100 Hopefully, I have a reputation as a nice guy. 40 musicians and 35 singers performed for free at my Master's recital in 2009. (Those videos are posted) I have worked in Nashville for the past 30 years and I always try to treat the musicians fairly and pay them promptly. I am very fortunate to get to do what I do and hear it played by the best musicians and singers money can buy. God has smiled on me. My wife of 28 years and my two children are wonderful. Have a Merry Christmas, I will.
I try to answer most questions and reply where I deem appropriate. Thank you for watching my video, I sincerely appreciate all the interest in this unexpected sensation of a song. You do me great honor. Steve Mauldin
@AdolescenTheory, I am proud of the effect it has by making people laugh. It is intended to be comical, but it is only funny if it makes you laugh. I am proud that families make my song a part of their Christmas tradition, and they do so with my blessings. Lush orchestra and bad voice is always going to be funny.If it doesn't make somebody laugh and is not funny to them, then it is just a bad job of singing. Check out Christ Church 1995 and you can hear Guy Penrod sing it the way I wrote it.
@jew01b If there is anything that makes it worth me admitting to this terrible job of singing, (it was never meant for the world to hear), it is your story. I have so many comments that this song is a part of the Christmas tradition for many families. That really makes me feel good. Please continue to share the song, share the story, let people laugh with and at me especially if it gives families something to enjoy together. The healing of our nation comes from the healing of our families.
You have to be really good to come that close to a note and still like you are so far away from it. I have no question this guy is the real guy. He actually hit the note. However, was the original in falsetto? I seem to remember he did almost really hit the note. Where is the original? Is he just getting too old to hit that note?
@comingtoreign I am most definitely too old to hit that note. In the original (the white cassette tape video) I sang "Fall on your knees" in full voice, but I did have to go Flasetto on "O night divine." In the explanation video I was in extremely bad voice, even for me. I had to go to Falsetto much sooner than in the original version. I was just barely able to even sing that night, I had the crud! Add 20 years later, I was happy to even get vaguely close to that note. Steve Mauldin
This year I have posted the 1995, Christ Church Christmas concert with Guy Penrod singing the real version of this song. It always had the same response as the video, a standing ovation with an encore. Guy wears a red coat and recreates the performance he gave on the record which is the track I used after he left the studio to sing my original version. I have a brief setup to the song. Type Christ Church 1995 and you can see Guy singing a beautiful, serious version of this song.
Haha!!! LOVE this!! You are DEFINITELY the guy...NO ONE can fake that voice, HAHAHA! We had always heard it was an audition tape for Disney. Boy were we wrong. I have played this song every Christmas since I first heard it 10 years ago & trw I will be showing your video! FUNNY, FUNNY, FUNNY!!! BTW, I LOVE the "serious" version's voice. BEAUTIFUL!
@UploadVideos007 Guy Penrod is as great a singer as I am a bad singer. I could take lessons and practice for the rest of my life and never come close to his voice. But then he does not orchestrate.
@jansonsynder Actually, in my video I had a limited amount of time, the camera battery had not been charged and Paul Corley was trying to get it filmed before the battery went out, and I misspoke. Guy actually sings a C not a Bb, and I actually sing a G above that in falsetta. f you will type in Christ Church 1995, you will hear the original, divine way this song was meant to be sung by the artist I wrote the arrangement for, Guy Penrod. I just posted it for this year.
@Depwl9992 If you will type in Christ Church 1995, you will hear the original, divine way this song was meant to be sung by the artist I wrote the arrangement for, Guy Penrod. I just posted it for this year. It's a live concert, the sound is not the best, but this is the real voice that I was half-heartedly imitating.
Man! Tht sir was great! I find you VERY talented! ;) and for all you haters! JUST SHUT UP AND WATCH THE VIDEO! STOP RUIninG THE MOMENT AND THE SEASON 4 the rest of us cuz of your petty problems..thanks....
@seanray32 Thanks for taking up for me. It is what it is. I never understood why people get upset. If they don't find it funny, stop playing it. There are many videos that I start and stop after a few seconds. You either find it funny or not! My wife does not think it is funny, and will leave the room if somebody plays it. My father does not think it's funny. Other people have said they had to pull off the road when they heard it on the radio. Thanks for sticking up for me!!!
"We all are one in Mission
kingsleyebyap 1 day ago
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HEY GUYS! SO I WAS JUST WONDERING IF SOME OF YOU CAN GO TO MY PAGE AND LISTEN TO A 30 SECOND VIDEO OF ME SINGING AND TELL ME IF I SHOULD SHOW MY FACE AND FINISH IT AND POST IT OR SHOULD I JUST STOP? LOL THANKS =)
TheJenniera 2 weeks ago in playlist (FUNNY) Worst Singer Ever
Steve, your original always gives me such a laugh. Thank you for revealing yourself and giving it another go! Keep doing your thing.
skybo053 2 weeks ago
Gosh your singing worsened instead of getting better after 20 years...lol.
apopkov 1 month ago
omg! this is so funny! this is supposed to b awful ppl so dont be dumb i mean rlly it says FUNNY o holy night...so yaaa... omg this is so funny
Girandme4life 1 month ago
How are you the original if the song is 100 yrs old?
leangesdemoi 1 month ago
@leangesdemoi he's the orginal of the funny version
Girandme4life 1 month ago
from wikipedia:
"O Holy Night" ("Cantique de Noël") is a well-known Christmas carol composed by Adolphe Adam in 1847 to the French poem "Minuit, chrétiens" (Midnight, Christians) by Placide Cappeau (1808–1877), a wine merchant and poet, who had been asked by a parish priest to write a Christmas poem.
YOU ARE NOT THE ORIGINAL
ThatBlackSheepy 1 month ago
Oh man! Me and my fellow Music Majors had a great laugh!
tentenlovessasuke 1 month ago
HAHAHAH! I CAN'T BREATH!
EMTCEE 1 month ago
You can tell he's having alot of trouble singing this song again, but bravo for setting this vid. for us =]
Ballsfull405 1 month ago
Thanks, Steve. As Martin Luther once said, "Sing boldly!" Or something like that. I'm going to turn off the computer now and deal with real life. You are an inspiration.
Noontz 1 month ago
hahahaha :D ...............nein -.-
MissSchokoladde 1 month ago
OMG!!! ummmm dude, did you write this song cuz you sure as hell did not sing it. Sorry, just saying.
Mslovestruck99 1 month ago
hahaha thank you! Please, would you please share the original version with Guy Penrod??? :D THANK YOU!
AnnyZorn 1 month ago
tone deaf
cureloms 1 month ago
I fell on my knees and threw up after hearing this!! Please leave it to people that can actually sing. This is one of the most beautiful songs ever written. Don't destroy it.
CDEAR21 1 month ago
@CDEAR21 If you will type in Christ Church 1995 you will hear this song and the arrangement I wrote in the manner it was intended for the album. Guy Penrod sings the version the way he sang it on the record. Perhaps you will like this one better. I am conducting the orchestra and Landy Gardner is conducting the choir. If the other version made you throw up, I would strongly suggest you not hit the play button again.
steve082154 1 month ago
@CDEAR21 this is supposed to be a funny version. so laugh and plz dont be rude
Girandme4life 1 month ago
If this is what I have to listen to, to get me to listen to Christian based christmas songs.. COUNT ME IN!!! . I absolutely love the original version and listen to and share it with others every year!!
seanglane 1 month ago
This man does not claim to be the original composer of the piece.
This man does not claim to be the singer for whom the song was written.
This man prepared an arrangement, which would make him the ARRANGER of a specific version of this piece. He claims to be the original performer of a SPECIFIC performance of this piece (which I would agree), the point of which was for humor. Please like this a few times so that, when confusion plagues the minds of future viewers, it may be resolved.
Thank you.
SJCarlsonMusic 2 months ago
@SJCarlsonMusic - THANK YOU FOR WHAT?
jehovahuponyou 1 month ago
@jehovahuponyou Quite.
SJCarlsonMusic 1 month ago
@SJCarlsonMusic - MURPHY?
jehovahuponyou 1 month ago
DEAR LIL DELUDED FELLOW,
AT THE TIME OF CHRIST YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN STONED TO DEATH, FOR MANY, MANY REASONS!
jehovahuponyou 2 months ago
@jehovahuponyou Amen to that. It's horrifying to hear that a wonderful song like O Holy Night gets destroyed in such a way. To my ears that's not funny ... that's rape, and it should be punished.
TheHeir23 2 months ago
@TheHeir23 - THANKS FOR THE AGREEABLE REPLY - I AGREE 100%!
LORD BLESS!
jehovahuponyou 1 month ago
@TheHeir23 Sorry you don't care for this spontaneous performance that was never meant to be heard by the public. If you will type in Christ Church 1995, perhaps I can repair your distain in me by viewing the real version the way we recorded it for the album. Guy Penrod is the singer on the record, and this performance is a Christmas program with me directing orchestra. Many people have been blessed by Guy's version what was always meant to be heard.
steve082154 1 month ago
it might be your words but you suck in singing.... leave it to the singers
mavphantom 2 months ago
oh...my sides hurt
boredcrab2 2 months ago
Well done, sir. Thank you and I completely believe this is you!
athespiangirl 2 months ago
skip to 5:50 for actual singing
accturkyboy2011 2 months ago 2
Ok. My bad. Your choice to parody leaves much to be desired. That said, Happy new year.
CelticFann2012 2 months ago
This song is good, i bealive this is you're song. You might not be the best singer in the world. But atleast you're not afraid to do it. Thank you for sharing this lovely song to the world. :D
mablseal12 2 months ago 2
@mablseal12 It's easy to be brave when you don't think anybody will hear it except for the people you want to play it to. I never imagined it would be released to the world and have half a million people hear it. Technically, I did not share the song with the world, I just explained where it came from. I do not know who put the song on the Internet originally and I do not know who put the video on Youtube that looks like a cassette tape. But I am glad you enjoy the song. Happy New year.
steve082154 2 months ago
Are you saying that you wrote the song? If you were the original singer of that wonderful song, that baffles me. With all due respect, you sang it as I would, if I could actually sing, which I cannot do. Sorry, but your effort was the worst off-key rendition that I've ever heard. Did you write "O Holy Night" . It's my favorite hymn of all time. Maybe you're not a fraud. I apologize for that comment. You just can't carry a tune, much like myself.
CelticFann2012 2 months ago
@CelticFann2012 I did not write O Holy Night. I wrote the arrangement. Most people perform the song in 6/8 time and it has a bounce to the rhythm. It was my idea to make it an 80s style song done completely in 4/4 time. Using the Fender Rhodes and a sixteenth high hat pattern made it slightly R & B. I wrote all of the notes for the orchestra to play and you saw the score on the video. The whole performance was a parody of Guy's performance earlier that night. I sing bad, but was being funny.
steve082154 2 months ago
Comment removed
jenandlaw 2 months ago
I know no one knows me either, but I can verify the story. I know the studio engineer who worked on the album and was there late that night when Steve decided to give this a shot. He told me the story before Steve came out and talked about it, and their stories line up. Anyone who knows a lot about studio work can confirm that the tracks are the same and Steve wouldn't have access to them unless he actually did work on the album.
jenandlaw 2 months ago
@jenandlaw Thanks for the confirmation. Not sure who else might have been in or out of the studio that night. There were several solo singers that evening, Guy just happened to be last. Kevin definitely backs up everything I have said.
steve082154 2 months ago
hahah love it, fast forward to 5:50 to get the start of the majestical piece.
jargainjones 2 months ago
Steve, thank you for sharing the truth. your gift to all of us is a christmas blessing in humor's form. i am listening to you again while i am writing, and i swear to goodness i can't stop laughin...i'm sorry...you're the man....this is great fun, thank you so much -
mrtapscott1 2 months ago
Please be kind. I welcome your opinions and you can say anything you want about me and my singing, but please do not use profanity or take God's name in vein. I absolutely never use such language, and for the sake of all others who visit this site, I would sincerely appreciate it if you would respect my wishes and not use foul language in your comments. Thank you!
steve082154 2 months ago 8
@steve082154 I appreciate this. :) Thank you, Steve for all you stand for!!
beauty4himlove 2 months ago
A dog can "sing" better than you do. You're a complete fraud.:
CelticFann2012 2 months ago
@CelticFann2012 I'll give you the line about the dog singing better than me, no argument. I can't understand what you think is fraudulent about my performance. I was there, my engineer confirms what I say, my brother recognized my voice without knowing I had recorded this song, and I have the master tapes. If you type Christ Church 1995, you can see me directing the orchestra with the exact same orchestra parts playing while Guy Penrod sings the real version. Truth is truth! Sorry you doubt.
steve082154 2 months ago 2
@steve082154 Ignore this ignoramus. I know it's really you that sang the original. There's no doubt about it. I thank you for your track. I don't take the performance seriously at all and listen to it when I want a really good laugh. I haven't laughed so hard over a song in my entire life. THANK YOU! :)
mpetrie 2 months ago
@mpetrie Thanks for the defense, but I'm not offended by the few who still cannot believe the evidence. That's why I really considered making up a story and calling myself Warren Stevens. I know people wanted to believe this was a guy who thought he was good but just didn't know how bad he is. That would be funnier, it just wasn't true and I finally decided to come clean and let those who are disappointed be disappointed. I'm glad it makes you laugh, that was the whole point to start with.
steve082154 2 months ago
beautiful singin! :')
CristaLimaa 2 months ago
@CristaLimaa Thank you, I'm assuming you are being very tongue-in-cheek! I appreciate the compliment, but I'm no Susan Boyles.
steve082154 2 months ago
I'm a believer!
elizabethiamable 2 months ago
@elizabethiamable Thank you and have a happy new year!
steve082154 2 months ago
Christmas is about sharing joy and happiness to others. This song certainly does that. If your belly doesn't ache from laughter while listening to this, then there may be something really wrong with you. I laughed hard, and so did everyone else who heard your version. Steve, Merry Christmas sir.
beardown555 2 months ago in playlist More videos from steve082154
@beardown555 I did have a wonderful Christmas. My 81 year old father and my mother were here and we spent four days with family and friends. We put a 1,000 piece puzzle together like we used to do when I was a boy, and that simple, 4.00 puzzle brought great joy to us all. I am thrilled my song made you laugh. The world needs to laugh. It's harder to kill each other when we're laughing. I hope you and your family has a happy and prosperous new year. Thank you for the kind words.
steve082154 2 months ago
@steve082154 Glad to contact you. That song was pure brilliance and we loved it at work last year. We were all beside ourselves. I sent it to my sister and she thought it was a real song that sounded bad until she got toward the end. Then she couldn't take it, too funny!!!!!
That is what makes it work, it builds up in exuberance. that is brilliance. must do more.
infowazz 2 months ago
You know what's sad? The song that this was parodying is dated, cheesy, and while very nice, not really relevant anymore.
This? People in 2100 will go to the XMas Tree Store in their Ford Flotilla Hover-cars (with the latest political candidate's bumper sticker on the back) and come back to their fiberglass homes to put the tree up. And when Timmy complains that Santa isn't bringing him a Pocket 'Puter 3000, this song will come on.
Congratulations, sir. You have created something timeless.
omegaham 2 months ago
@omegaham Thank you for your vision. I'm not sure if my song will be around in 2100, but if it is I hope people will still be listening to it and laughing. There will probably be some kind of telepathic, brain insert that lets us think about a song and hear it without a mechanical device, but that will be OK too. I'll look forward to that Hover-car! Merry Christmas.
steve082154 2 months ago
This has been one of my favorite tracks for years. Thanks for the background and I'm happy to see you get the credit you so deserve for making so many people smile.
tiggerfitch 2 months ago
@tiggerfitch Thank you for the compliments. Whether I deserve it or not, I have certainly received recognition from this song. I feel very blessed when I read comments from so many well wishers. I have an abundance of family and friends and I guess I can call the youtube commentors fans. I sincerely wish that my song will lift people's spirits. I don't mind being laughed at as long as people enjoy laughing. I hope you have a very merry Christmas.
steve082154 2 months ago
only became aware of this this year, and it's had me laughing and smiling for 2 weeks.
Glad I came across this post revealing the background. Relieved to know it wasn't the offering of someone with a singing career in their hopes.
nycrjmac 2 months ago
@nycrjmac I certainly never thought I had a singing career. In 1981 I traveled and played bass with Chet Atkins. I actually replaced Steve Warner. On several occasions I was asked if I could sing, and I always expressed how bad my voice was and never sang in the show. I'm glad you like the song, I'm glad it makes you smile. I hope you have a very merry Christmas.
steve082154 2 months ago
Steve,
I've been watching all of the videos you've posted and I'm bowled over by the extent of your talents as an arranger. And Guy Penrod's rendition of O Holy Night with you conducting was superb. Since Mr. Penrod is a very accomplished singer I've got to ask: What was his reaction to your vocal efforts on your 1990's recording of the song?
staonp 2 months ago
@staonp I have never discussed my version with Guy. The occasions we are together have been in studios with lots of money on the clock, and we have never discussed O Holy Night. I do not know if he has heard my version or not.
steve082154 2 months ago
Hey Steve. Thanks for this and Merry Xmas.
FragMan69 2 months ago
As a trained classical singer, I know it takes talent to sing this badly. Well done, Steve. Well done.
yesitsem 2 months ago
WHAT THE FUCK JUST HAPPENED?!
ElroySim 2 months ago
@ElroySim nothing happened, just pretend NOTHING HAPPENED!!!
jordanrb1996 2 months ago
Hi Steve! I heard this years ago when I used to work at a music store. One of our reps had it and played the song for all of us and I completely lost it! I was laughing so hard, it hurt me. And to this day, I do not remember laughing so hard as I did when I heard it the first time. Thank you so much for that moment!
dongypooh 2 months ago
@dongypooh I am happy you liked the song. I love that people say this is a part of their Christmas tradition. I love the idea that people share my song with other people, not because it is me or my song, but because it means people are sharing with each other. I make a cake each Christmas that my grandmother made to share with our family.It is a Canadian War Cake from the early 1900s and it uses brown sugar and spices. Have a very merry Christmas sharing with your friends.
steve082154 2 months ago
From American Idol train wrecks to tone deaf wannabes on YouTube, none of them even comes close to capturing the unique blend of sincerity and wretchedness you managed to convey with this song two decades ago. It's sort of the gold standard of bad singing; a distinction for which you should be exceptionally proud. I wouldn't count on this thing ending anytime soon. It's going to be a Christmas tradition long after most of us have taken our last breath. It's your eternal gift to the world!
lstash 2 months ago
@lstash Years ago I asked God to show my purpose on earth. In short, my conclusion was "to raise the spirits of man on earth." This song certainly has done that. Sometimes I use my real talent to write music that inspires people. Sometimes it's country music, sometimes it's classical music, sometimes it's rock. But when God judges me for how I have used my talents, I think I can say I have used them to by best ability. My video God! #9 speaks to this idea if you have time. Merry Christmas.
steve082154 2 months ago
I'm not sure if you actually intended for this to become a Christmas-humor legend, but I can say without a doubt that you have made my 7-year-old laugh harder than she did at the entire Twisted Christmas CD. She loves it. :)
silverael1981 2 months ago
@silverael1981 It was just two guys clowning around in the studio after a month-long recording project. I never dreamed it would be released to the world. Studio guys do stuff like this all the time. A friend of mine hates steel guitar. So I took a recent cut of his that was very soft and tender, and had a steel player friend of mine add steel. At first it was too good. I told him to untune the steel and play the most "whiney-butt" steel possible. That's what studio guys do. Merry Christmas.
steve082154 2 months ago
Wait, I don't get it Steve. Were you being silly and spoofing this song, or were you actually singing legitimately?
LiveForEveryMoment 2 months ago
@LiveForEveryMoment Definitely a spoof. I was doing a parady of Guy Penrod who had just finished singing the song on the record I was producing. Kevin McManus, my engineer, and I were the only people in the room. Guy is a GREAT singer, and I told Kevin I could sing anything that Guy could sing. Obviously I was joking. This year I posted Guy singing this song for real in church. Type in Christ Church 1995 and you can hear Guy sing it as I wrote it. I am on the right conducting the orchestra.
steve082154 2 months ago
Perry Como. Michael Crawford. Josh Groban. All have recorded truly memorable versions of O Holy Night. To that illustrious list of names we can add Steve Mauldin.
riquettic 2 months ago 2
@riquettic Obviously, the key word in that seemingly, flattering statement is the word "memorable." It is like a friend of mine who used to tell everyone, "I can't believe the level of your talent." That is not necessarily a compliment. Ha! Ha! But I'll take your comment as a compliment. I'm honored to be mentioned with those three names in any manner. Merry Christmas.
steve082154 2 months ago
The first time I heard the song on the radio many years ago I thought, "Oh, geez, the Pixies should never have attempted to do a Christmas album." Now at last the true culprit has been revealed!
tablacy 2 months ago
@tablacy I am sure The Pixies are better singers than I am. I am amazed every year when this starts back up. I am flattered and delighted that so many people have made my song a yearly part of their Christmas tradition. This year I posted a live performance of Guy Penrod singing the solo I wrote with the choir I wrote it for. If you type Christ Church 1995 you can see my conducting the orchestra and the song the way we recorded it for the album. I hope you enjoy it, have a merry Christmas.
steve082154 2 months ago
7:49 ...... Here's the moment you've all been waiting for...... Yeeeeeeees siiiiiiiiir it isssssss.....
dbsoldguydavid 2 months ago
I believe you! My favorite story with this is from a couple of years ago. I am a teacher in an elementary school and one afternoon just after the kids were dismissed one of my colleagues played the original version on the school loudspeaker. Little did she know that some teachers were having meetings with parents and the school day care could hear every word!! People were running around the building trying to find the 'awful singer' and stop him!! It was hysterical!
koololdster 2 months ago
@koololdster That's a great story. My brother was the first to say he got it on the Internet. He recognized my voice immediately. He was also the first to call and tell me the Rick & Bubba radio show had played it nationally. We both decided to keep quiet when we started getting it weekly from engineers. We asked, "Who is this and what is the story?" It was a college audition tape, a classical singer, a man paying for his mother's surgery. The stories were outrageous. They were really funny.
steve082154 2 months ago
you still have the magic.... thanks!
rhay777 2 months ago
When he starts the sound - he almost sounds like "ah, this will be nice..." Then the tumult begins.
aliensporebomb 2 months ago
he has a beautiful voice
jordanrb1996 2 months ago
Your version of O Holy Night may very well end up being your glorious legacy, and it's a legacy I'd love to have! You've touched people deeply with your unique throat-shredding vocal skills. The reason others are lip-syncing to your version is because no one can top it!
isorindu 2 months ago
@isorindu You are very kind with your remarks. It has made me either famous or infamous, I'm still not sure which. It has sent more people to my other, serious videos, and many more to my website (which is currently down in a host transition). I did not control how this song was released, and I doubt I'll control how it ends. Someday people will stop playing it and that will be the end. But, it gives me pleasure to know that help make people laugh during Christmas. Merry Christmas.
steve082154 2 months ago 2
The song is hilarious, but he is taking this whole deal WAY too seriously...
tacopastorius 2 months ago
@telekin17@
That's probably because he sang this years ago.
MacNCheesyMovies 2 months ago
you are not lip syncing, but i still think you are not the real singer of that song. Because when you are on the higher notes in your falsetto, your tone is different than the original. but it was a great mimic up until then, i was pretty convinced until that point.
telekin17 2 months ago
@telekin17 My tone was different because my voice has dropped over the last 20 years. I used to find pitches by singing my lowest note which was an F#. I now can sing a D and sometimes a C or Bb especially in the morning. I was also barely able to sing. I had the crud and the day before I couldn't hardly speak. You can believe what you want, but every word I said is true and there are lots of people to back me up. In any event, have a very merry Christmas.
steve082154 2 months ago 8
Steve,
I thought you were joking the whole tine byut you're serious! Please keep your day job cause you really cannot sing Sorry to be so blunt but you would be one of te ones thrown or booed off stage at America's Got Talent.
shirleypix 2 months ago
It's first time I come across the "wacky" version and luckily your response to it.Greatest sense of humour! Your body language, I laughed length of time U sang the "wacky"! U sure make yourself happy playing "silly"- in a good sense.
Ur not alone! With my daughter growing up, we played SILLY just to have great laughs.Best times with my daughter! Good to know you're out there. As U sang "wacky" version reliving original moment,I bookmarked for more good laughs.Ur response = allay critics.UP YOU!
MARCHIISAACONOKAH 2 months ago
@MARCHIISAACONOKAH Thank you for the gracious comments.I like to laugh and I like to make others laugh as well. I am curious as to where you are from. I have received messages from all over the world including Canada, Italy, England, Ireland, Australia, Russia, and Rumania. It is amazing how this song has touched so many people over the world with absolutely no promotion to get it into the marketplace from me. Have a very Merry Christmas where ever you are.
steve082154 2 months ago
Mr Mauldin, you are one of my greatest musical heroes. Your version of O Holy Night has given me more pleasure than almost any other Christmas song, and I cannot tell you how thrilled I am to see your face and hear how that stupendous rendition came about. Thank you for posting this video and for the joy your original performance has given over the years.
Just one thing - please don't do it again. I'd hate you to go and rupture something.
All the best for Christmas 2011.
wilus1969 2 months ago
@wilus1969 I promise, my vocal chords are safe from here on. People seem to think either I am an ego maniac for doing the video, or the tell me how much they love the song and how much joy it has brought them. My intent was to let off steam and make the engineer laugh. I am thrilled when others say things like you have said. It makes me feel good when others find joy in any of my work, comedy or serious. Feel free to laugh and share my song with others, and have a very Merry Christmas.
steve082154 2 months ago
This isn't enough evidence for me. I'll need a DNA sample.
But seriously...
Your rendition of this song has induced more belly laughs throughout the world over the years than you could ever have imagined when you recorded it. I've always wondered who was behind it and how it came about, and now at last I know. THANK YOU, STEVE!
furn738 2 months ago 5
@furn738 Actually, there is software that can analyze the vocal waves and give a DNA of sorts. I do not have that software and do not intend to look for it. If the original master tapes do not prove it, nothing else will. If you type Christ Church 1995 you can see the live performance of this arrangement with me conducting orchestra and Guy Penrod singing. Guy is the man I was parodying and was the singer on the CD we produced. Merry Christmas
steve082154 2 months ago
The humorous version was indeed humorous, but I don't understand why you had to do this extremely detailed and earnest video.
I hope you can sing other things with a smooth legato and even registration changes. Sounds like you're hurting your voice with the extreme strain you're subjecting your vocal mechanism to.
Anyway, have a calm Christmas.
kirinphoebe1 2 months ago
@kirinphoebe1 I gave no thought to my voice at the time, I just went for what I could not reach and hung in there as long as I could. I do not have a legato voice and I do not cross the break smooth at all. The detailed response came because some people claimed to be the original singer and called me a liar when I confessed. I simply was stating truth and I had the original tapes to prove it. It took 30 minutes out of my life to do the video and some people were asking for it.
steve082154 2 months ago 2
This is sooo funny! A friend and I found this on a church website back in my college days and originally we thought you actually recorded this thinking you did a good job, which made it even funnier. Thanks, now I know the real intentions behind the song. Just one of those moments of unintentional comedic genius!!! lol Merry Christmas 2011.
TomAwesome39 2 months ago 2
@TomAwesome39 I know it was funnier to think it was a "college audition tape" or "a man trying to pay for his mother's surgery" and other wild stories I have seen printed. People searching for me along with college students who were going to turn me in, caused me to confess. Sorry if it makes it less genuine, but I WAS copying bad singers I have worked with. There are people who sing that bad and don't know they are bad, for sure.
steve082154 2 months ago
My only question is, how did your original get leaked in the first place?
MendedSlinky 2 months ago
@MendedSlinky That is the question I can't answer. The project was bought by Star Song records, sold to another company which was later bought by EMI Records. Since my brother and I first got our emails from studio engineers, we assume it originated from one of them. (Studio guys often swap stuff like this) My guess is that EMI, by standard procedure, transferred the 2" tape to a digital form and some engineer found my performance, made a copy and sent it out. My copy was on cassette tape.
steve082154 2 months ago
Steve you are a lovely, lovely guy!
I first heard this years ago and it has given me endless hours of laughter. God bless you for sharing it and being a great sport about it all!
God bless you, friend!
David.
TodayFreedom 2 months ago
@TodayFreedom Thank you for the kind remarks. God bless you as well and have a very merry Christmas.
steve082154 2 months ago
you cant sing, lol. i think its kinduh desperate that you had to prove that you are the 'real' singer. Jesus loves you anyway. Merry Christmas :)
noeljedidiah 2 months ago
@noeljedidiah I cannot sing! Jesus does love me! You are correct on those points. The ONLY reason I made the video was because one night I found 17 videos claiming they were the real singer of this song using my voice to lip sync to. They was not truthful. Students from Belmont University threatened to turn me in and post my name on the Internet if I didn't do it, so I did it. The video has been worth it just to hear the overwhelming positive and heart warming comments I have received
steve082154 2 months ago
Provided this is not a joke, if you were really the original singer of this song, all you're proving to everyone is why you shouldn't have been!!! lol
barmanjoe 2 months ago
@barmanjoe I have dozens of other late night performances from studio sessions. Art Bain, Bobby All, Otis Forrest, and I used to do songs like this on a regular basis. I came into the studio once to find that Art Bain, Dean & Mary Brown had recorded If You're Hair's Too Long There's Sin In Your Heart. Like that song, my singing was supposed to be funny that's all. It was NEVER meant to be released. Maybe I shouldn't have recorded it, but it sure has brought a lot of laughter to a lot of people.
steve082154 2 months ago
@steve082154 Well if it was just for laugher then I apologise. Please forgive me for my ignorant comment. All the best and Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!! :)))
barmanjoe 2 months ago
@barmanjoe No offense taken on my part. This story is almost unbelievable even for me, and I was there. I assume God wanted people to hear this song and laugh, because He had much more to do with it being distributed to the world than I did. I do like to hear people laugh. Have a very merry Christmas.
steve082154 2 months ago
Its even more funny now that he is so serious about everyone knowing that he is the original singer of the FUNNY version. Im sure people just want to have fun but man he is serious about getting his point across. Either way its pretty bad singing. Guy Penrod must have laughed quite a few times. Thanks for recording this version. It has brought many a laughter....and tears to many of my friends.
bgbgator 2 months ago
@bgbgator Obviously, a lot of people have a lot of interest in this song every year. I would certainly thought it would have gone away after my identity was released. I have had live radio and newspaper interviews over the origins of this song. As long as people keep asking questions, I'll keep answering, and one day it will all die I am sure. Feel free to just keep laughing, (at the original version, of course not my video)
steve082154 2 months ago
I want the old one back that he used to have on here!!!!!!!!
JayRaddd13 2 months ago
@JayRaddd13 The original post is the picture of a cassette tape that I did not post. There was a guy in a blue tux that posted a version lip syncing to my voice, but that was not me. I assume he removed that version after my identity became known. I do not know for sure. The video of me explaining why I sang the whacky version is the only video in existence of me singing O Holy Night, and will probably remain the only video of me singing anything.
steve082154 2 months ago
what makes this great is that i dont know if your serious or not.
iceman72566 2 months ago
@iceman72566 The explanation is serious. That is the absolute truth about the song. I had lunch with the engineer, Kevin McManus, just a month or so ago and he remembers that night. The performance is not serious. If you will watch Christ Church 1995 which I just posted, you can see the same arrangement I wrote performed by Guy Penrod at Christ Church. Guy had just left the studio and I am showing Kevin that I can sing like Guy. (I obviously could not) The performance was definitely a joke.
steve082154 2 months ago
Incredibly hilarious. The first time I heard this I almost hurt myself. It is so very difficult to sing this badly! It requires enormous control to sing just enough off so you sound like you're not trying to be funny. I have sat in audiences (usually at church functions) where I heard singing this bad....but done in all seriousness. If you are a musician or have some understanding of music, you know how hard it is to maintain composure while someone is SERIOUSLY singing this badly. Heroic
ma101661 2 months ago
@ma101661 I agree with you. I was at an over the top wedding, that had a very professional vocal professor singing. Unfortunately, the organist was a family friend and did not have the same level of expertise. She was playing the love theme from Romeo & Juliet by Tchaikovsky, and while the hands were OK, the downbeat bass notes were completely off the wall and not at all with the chords. My brother and I were both laughing so hard we were crying, but trying not to be obvious. It was torture.
steve082154 2 months ago
My toddler started crying when she heard you sing. :D
emilymarschner 2 months ago
I can't find the track on itunes. where can I find it?
sandrewlowry 2 months ago
@sandrewlowry The track and the cleaned up version of the original song was placed with CD Baby this year, but they are supposed to make that available through iTunes. Check with CD Baby and if you can't find it, contact me again.
steve082154 2 months ago
@sandrewlowry If you will send an email to funnyoholynight@comcast(dot net) I will be happy to send that track to you. I am having problems with my CD Baby account and they have not posted that track.
steve082154 2 months ago
do you perform locally? are you still in Hendersonville?
thirdtalent 2 months ago
@thirdtalent I do not perform as a singer. In September, I was invited by the SouthEast Kansas Symphony to perform some of my classical compositions. I also was commissioned to write a piece for the orchestra featuring Tim May and his wife Gretchen. Tim is a flat-pick guitarist, and his wife is a Celtic fiddle player. The piece is called the Kansas Suite and was well received. That and working or records is the only performing I do. I certainly do not sing in public, not even in church.
steve082154 2 months ago
Very funny, gave me a good laugh. also you seem like a really genuine nice bloke. I can see from your responses to comments that family and music are the important things in your life - a man who has his priorities right. Thank you, from England.
nowt100 2 months ago
@nowt100 I noticed that too...his responses are gracious, humble and kind.
ma101661 2 months ago
@nowt100 Hopefully, I have a reputation as a nice guy. 40 musicians and 35 singers performed for free at my Master's recital in 2009. (Those videos are posted) I have worked in Nashville for the past 30 years and I always try to treat the musicians fairly and pay them promptly. I am very fortunate to get to do what I do and hear it played by the best musicians and singers money can buy. God has smiled on me. My wife of 28 years and my two children are wonderful. Have a Merry Christmas, I will.
steve082154 2 months ago
I try to answer most questions and reply where I deem appropriate. Thank you for watching my video, I sincerely appreciate all the interest in this unexpected sensation of a song. You do me great honor. Steve Mauldin
steve082154 2 months ago
you are my hero
bbaynes18 2 months ago
@bbaynes18 You should probably shoot a little higher for a hero than me, but I will accept the compliment with humility.
steve082154 2 months ago
@bbaynes18 He's mine too.
ma101661 2 months ago
he sounds like 1000 cats dying - he's a legend!
77jcrox 2 months ago 15
@77jcrox Since I have never witnessed 1000 cats dying, I'll have to take your word for it. I won't deny it! Merry Christmas.
steve082154 2 months ago
that was powerful.
wayfechylde3 2 months ago
@wayfechylde3 Thank you. Powerful is not what my wife calls it. Hopefully, it makes you laugh.
steve082154 2 months ago
@steve082154 no offense, but your lungs have more strenth than i thought at first. cheers!
wayfechylde3 2 months ago
@steve082154 Screaming to heaven, Thats a new one...
2001ared 2 months ago
are you proud of this? just wondering...
AdolescenTheory 2 months ago
@AdolescenTheory, I am proud of the effect it has by making people laugh. It is intended to be comical, but it is only funny if it makes you laugh. I am proud that families make my song a part of their Christmas tradition, and they do so with my blessings. Lush orchestra and bad voice is always going to be funny.If it doesn't make somebody laugh and is not funny to them, then it is just a bad job of singing. Check out Christ Church 1995 and you can hear Guy Penrod sing it the way I wrote it.
steve082154 2 months ago
this has become a Winters' family tradition :)
jew01b 2 months ago
@jew01b If there is anything that makes it worth me admitting to this terrible job of singing, (it was never meant for the world to hear), it is your story. I have so many comments that this song is a part of the Christmas tradition for many families. That really makes me feel good. Please continue to share the song, share the story, let people laugh with and at me especially if it gives families something to enjoy together. The healing of our nation comes from the healing of our families.
steve082154 2 months ago
You have to be really good to come that close to a note and still like you are so far away from it. I have no question this guy is the real guy. He actually hit the note. However, was the original in falsetto? I seem to remember he did almost really hit the note. Where is the original? Is he just getting too old to hit that note?
comingtoreign 2 months ago
@comingtoreign I am most definitely too old to hit that note. In the original (the white cassette tape video) I sang "Fall on your knees" in full voice, but I did have to go Flasetto on "O night divine." In the explanation video I was in extremely bad voice, even for me. I had to go to Falsetto much sooner than in the original version. I was just barely able to even sing that night, I had the crud! Add 20 years later, I was happy to even get vaguely close to that note. Steve Mauldin
steve082154 2 months ago
Bravo, my good man. :)
plasticmind 2 months ago
fantastic! thank you for your amazing and very hilarous contributions then and now :)
Obvi0uslycool 2 months ago
The first line of the song I knew he was the real singer haha
guardiegirlie12 2 months ago
This year I have posted the 1995, Christ Church Christmas concert with Guy Penrod singing the real version of this song. It always had the same response as the video, a standing ovation with an encore. Guy wears a red coat and recreates the performance he gave on the record which is the track I used after he left the studio to sing my original version. I have a brief setup to the song. Type Christ Church 1995 and you can see Guy singing a beautiful, serious version of this song.
steve082154 2 months ago
geez that has GOT to be horribly unhealthy for your voice
spiceright 2 months ago
Haha!!! LOVE this!! You are DEFINITELY the guy...NO ONE can fake that voice, HAHAHA! We had always heard it was an audition tape for Disney. Boy were we wrong. I have played this song every Christmas since I first heard it 10 years ago & trw I will be showing your video! FUNNY, FUNNY, FUNNY!!! BTW, I LOVE the "serious" version's voice. BEAUTIFUL!
UploadVideos007 2 months ago
@UploadVideos007 Guy Penrod is as great a singer as I am a bad singer. I could take lessons and practice for the rest of my life and never come close to his voice. But then he does not orchestrate.
steve082154 2 months ago
That's a G, not a Bb.
TheLusers 2 months ago
@TheLusers the latter is a B♭. He said that Guy gets up to the B♭ but didn't play it. Steve however does "sing" a B♭.
jansonsynder 2 months ago
@jansonsynder Guess I stopped listening too quickly, haha.
TheLusers 2 months ago
@jansonsynder Actually, in my video I had a limited amount of time, the camera battery had not been charged and Paul Corley was trying to get it filmed before the battery went out, and I misspoke. Guy actually sings a C not a Bb, and I actually sing a G above that in falsetta. f you will type in Christ Church 1995, you will hear the original, divine way this song was meant to be sung by the artist I wrote the arrangement for, Guy Penrod. I just posted it for this year.
steve082154 2 months ago
You nailed it, man. Beautiful.
ChalkiePerfect 2 months ago
It might have been divine that night, but not because of THIS...
Depwl9992 2 months ago
@Depwl9992 If you will type in Christ Church 1995, you will hear the original, divine way this song was meant to be sung by the artist I wrote the arrangement for, Guy Penrod. I just posted it for this year. It's a live concert, the sound is not the best, but this is the real voice that I was half-heartedly imitating.
steve082154 2 months ago
Auto tune this NOW!!
enyskept 3 months ago 2
All I can say is, what a loone and thanks for the laugh. It takes all kinds. I only hope you are not a music teacher!
selfempl 3 months ago
@selfempl Actually, I am a music teacher at Belmont University in Nashville. Fortunately, I teach notation and composition and not voice.
steve082154 2 months ago
Comment removed
selfempl 3 months ago
good
meltans1 3 months ago
Man! Tht sir was great! I find you VERY talented! ;) and for all you haters! JUST SHUT UP AND WATCH THE VIDEO! STOP RUIninG THE MOMENT AND THE SEASON 4 the rest of us cuz of your petty problems..thanks....
seanray32 3 months ago
@seanray32 Thanks for taking up for me. It is what it is. I never understood why people get upset. If they don't find it funny, stop playing it. There are many videos that I start and stop after a few seconds. You either find it funny or not! My wife does not think it is funny, and will leave the room if somebody plays it. My father does not think it's funny. Other people have said they had to pull off the road when they heard it on the radio. Thanks for sticking up for me!!!
steve082154 2 months ago 2