Whitney Houston, “Joy to the World” | Sunday Refresh 🙏

On the 30^th edition of Sunday Refresh (2021), we’re uplifted by Whitney Houston performing, “Joy to the World.”

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elcome to Sunday Refresh 🙏, a column that seeks to highlight inspirational songs to uplift the spirit.  These tracks that appear on Sunday Refresh may or may not be faith-based or religious; the goal is for them to make you feel better – refreshed.  So, for the 30^th edition of Sunday Refresh, we highlight 🎵 “Joy to the World” as performed by 🎙 Whitney Houston.

“Joy to the world / The lord is come / Let Earth receive her king.” There are many awesome, spiritually savvy renditions of the Christmas carol, 🎵 “Joy to the World.”  When performed as it should be, it really touches the heart and soul.  The words do so naturally, proclaiming the birth of a Savior, who’d ultimately die for our sins.  One of the best renditions of this standard comes courtesy of 🎙 Whitney Houston alongside 🎙 The Georgia Mass Choir.  Famously, the ‘Whitney’ version appears on 💿 The Preacher’s Wife Soundtrack, one of my personal favorite albums of the 90s.

“Joy to the World” doesn’t need to be tweaked musically, but tweak it right, and you have a surefire masterpiece!  That’s what happens in the hands of Houston and The Georgia Mass Choir.  They spice things up, giving the traditional carol more of a contemporary gospel spin, following a smooth, playful intro by Houston.  The sound is bright and energetically, masterfully celebrating J-E-S-U-S.  Houston’s vocals are at their peak.  She exhibits composure and poise, yet knows when to ‘let ‘em rip,’ taking the spirit next level.  The Georgia Mass Choir is there to provide a lift, and this ‘gospelized’ version plays directly to their strengths. Add in a vamp/breakdown section, and we get a hint of contemporary R&B ala the 90s which is sweet.  Ultimately, this spirited take is one you’ll not only want to refresh you during Christmas, but into New Years’ and beyond.

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🎙 Whitney Houston • 💿 The Preacher’s Wife (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) • 🏷 Arista • 📅 1996
Whitney Houston, “Joy to the World”: Sunday Refresh 🙏 No. 30 (2021) [📷: Arista, Brent Faulkner, The Musical Hype, Zac Durant on Unsplash]

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