Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Over 14 years, American Idol alumni have released dozens upon dozens of covers of Christmas classics.

Back in 2004, Clay Aiken released the hottest selling Christmas album of the year, “Merry Christmas with Love,” selling more than 1 million copies.

As recently as 2013, Kelly Clarkson hit number three on the Billboard 200 with “Wrapped in Red.”

It marked her first Christmas album — 11 years after her coronation as the original American Idol — and was sitting in the Top 20 on iTunes holiday albums chart this week.

Along the way, the Idols also have released new Christmas tunes, including some you might not have heard.

Below, I’ve compiled several of those originals in my own sort of Idol Chatter Christmas album.

And I’ll top it off with my five all-time favorite Christmas covers by former American Idol finalists.

Enjoy. And merry Christmas.

On with the music …

THE ORIGINALS

Danny Gokey, “Lift Up Your Eyes”
One of two originals from his fine new Christmas album, “Christmas is Here”

Brook White, “Christmas Card”
An original from Brooke’s 2012 “White Christmas” album

Kelly Clarkson, “4 Carats”
A playful original (one of five new songs) on Kelly’s “Wrapped in Red” album

Kellie Pickler, “My Christmas Caroline”
Kellie released the song as a single in mid-November

Angie Miller, “This Christmas Song”
Angie released the song as a single in 2013

David Archuleta, “Melodies of Christmas
One of two originals from David’s 2009 “Christmas from the Heart” album

Mandisa (with Matthew West), “Christmas Makes Me Cry”
From Mandisa’s 2008 “It’s Christmas” album

Katharine McPhee, “It’s Not Christmas Without You”
The original from her “Christmas is the Time to Say I Love You” album, released in 2010

Scotty McCreery, “Christmas in Heaven”
One of two originals featured on Scotty’s 2012 “Christmas with Scotty” album

THE ALL-TIME FAVORITES

Brooke White, “Silent Night”
Again from her “White Christmas” album

Clay Aiken, “O Holy Night”
From his 2004 “Merry Christmas With Love” album

Carrie Underwood, “Do You Hear What I Hear”
From the 2007 “Hear Something Country Christmas” album

David Archuleta, “What Child Is This”
From David’s fine “Christmas from the Heart” album

Haley Reinhart and Casey Abrams, “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”
A single they released in 2011