"Grown-Up Christmas List" (sometimes titled "My Grown-Up Christmas List") is a Christmas song written by David Foster (music) and Linda Thompson-Jenner (lyrics). Originally written by Foster for the 1989 CBC Christmas program A David Foster Christmas Card, the song was recorded as a duet with David Foster and Natalie Cole. In 1990, a Cole-only version of the song appeared on David Foster's River of Love album. The song was planned to be released as a single, but only a very small number of copies were sold in a limited region. In 1992, Amy Grant recorded the first cover version of the song for her second Christmas album Home for Christmas. This was the beginning of a series of cover versions by many artists, and it has become a standard Christmas song in the 21st century.
Amy Grant version
Lyric addition
Amy Grant wrote an additional verse she sings as the song's second:
As children we believe The grandest sight to see Was something lovely wrapped beneath the tree But Heaven only knows That packages and bows Can never heal a hurting human soul
In a 2023 SiriusXM radio special for The Message channel, Grant stated she asked Foster for approval to add the lyric, and Foster was not only impressed, he offered to add Grant to the songwriting credits for the song, which she declined.
Since then, some artists have chosen to perform the song with Grant's additional lyric and some have not.
Music video A&M Records released a music video for Grant's recording of the song, featuring an appearance by Grant's son, Matthew Chapman. The song's edited version was used in the video.
Track listings
Personnel Amy Grant – lead vocals Robbie Buchanan – keyboards Tom Hemby – guitar Ronn Huff – conductor Alan Moore – orchestration The London Studio Orchestra – strings Nat Peck – contractor
Charts The original version of Grant's single did not enter any of the Billboard charts until 2011. Since then, it has spent 30 weeks on the Christian Digital Songs chart, peaking at No. 11 in December 2017. Kelly Clarkson's version entered the Adult Contemporary chart in 2003 where it spent five weeks.
Weekly charts +Chart performance for Kelly Clarkson's versionChart (2003)Peakposition
+Chart performance for Amy Grant's versionChart (2011–2020)Peakposition US Christian Digital Song Sales (Billboard)11
+Chart performance for Luis Miguel's versionChart (2006)Peakposition
Other recordings YearArtistAlbum1994David T. Clydesdale and Bobbi PageThe Sound Of ChristmasRandy BrooksA Soap Opera Christmas 1995Bryan DuncanChristmas Is Jesus1996Bill MedleyChristmas MemoriesChuck NegronJoy To The WorldDonna CruzMerry Christmas Donna1997Donny OsmondChristmas At HomeB.J. ThomasChristmas Is Coming HomeSam LevineChristmas SaxSwing SistersSwingin' X-Mas1999Natalie Cole with The London Symphony OrchestraThe Magic Of Christmas2000Monica featuring Plus OnePlatinum ChristmasDavid PomeranzThe Eyes Of ChristmasHelena VondráčkováVeselé Vánoce A Šťastný Nový RokMarianne AntonsenSoulful Christmas Songs2001Barbra StreisandChristmas Memories2003Michael BubléLet It Snow!Kelly ClarksonAmerican Idol: Great Holiday Classics2004PauliniAmazing Grace (Songs For Christmas)Lea SalongaThe Christmas Album2005Rene FrogerPure ChristmasJane MonheitThe Season2006The Manhattan TransferAn Acapella ChristmasChristian IngebrigtsenPaint Christmas WhiteDavid Friesen and Jeannie HoffmanChristmas At WoodstockStan WhitmireChristmas Around The PianoThierry Condor and Miriam DeeA Christmas Eve in L.A.Luis MiguelNavidades2007Boney JamesChristmas PresentSilvie PaladinoChristmas List2008Aretha FranklinThis Christmas Aretha Rissi Palmersingle onlyDarja ŠvajgerMoji ObraziLani MisaluchaThe Gift Of ChristmasSanna, Shirley, SonjaOur Christmas2009Magnus CarlssonChristmasRodney CarringtonMake It ChristmasAnthony EvansWhat Christmas MeansEric AlexanderRevival Of The FittestMark VincentMy Dream, Mio Visione2010JoeHome Is The Essence Of ChristmasChariceGrown-Up Christmas ListThe IsaacsChristmasTrijntje OosterhuisThis Is The SeasonCrystal LewisHome For The HolidaysEvelyn EscaleraA Traditional Freestyle Christmas, Vol. 12011Kathy TroccoliChristmas SongsLos Angeles, The VoicesA Christmas SpectacularJeffrey BiegelA Steinway Christmas AlbumRichard PoonChristmas With Richard Poon2012AileeHitman Project #1: A Tribute To the hitman David FosterAli LohanChristmas With Ali LohanHalie Loren and Matt TrederMany Times, Many Ways2013Anthem LightsSimple Little ChristmasLauren Alainasingle onlyPaul Carrack With The SWR Big BandSwinging Christmas - LiveGlennis GraceOne Christmas Night OnlyNohelani CyprianoBlue Hawaiian Christmas2014Dave Koz & FriendsThe 25th Of DecemberSandi PattyChristmas Blessings2016Jordan Smith'Tis The SeasonPeter and Evynne HollensA Hollens Family Christmas2017Patti LaBelleHome For The HolidaysFabrizio Bosso QuartetMerry Christmas BabyThe VeronicasThe Spirit Of Christmas 2017Lucie BíláBílé Vánoce Lucie Bílé II.2018PentatonixChristmas Is Here!Bonnie AndersonThe Spirit Of Christmas 2018Jess MoskalukeA Small Town ChristmasTaeyeonThe Magic of Christmas Time (DVD)Nils JiptnerChristmas Everyday2019John BarrowmanA Fabulous Christmas2020Delta GoodremOnly Santa KnowsMark SeibertThe Christmas AlbumSimone KopmajerChristmasUlrikkeSpend Christmas with Me2021CainWonderful2022David Foster and Katharine McPheeChristmas Songs2023PelleKChristmas by the Fjords2024Gabby BarrettCarols and Candlelight2025No AngelsIt's Christmas
References