Amy Grant took the stage during Thursday’s CMA Country Christmas event to sing one of her most popular holiday tunes…”Grown-Up Christmas List.”
CMA’s annual Country Christmas television special is one of the most anticipated events of the season. The show brings the holiday spirit to fans through festive performances from some of music’s biggest stars, including Lainey Wilson, Ashley McBryde, Lindsey Stirling, Lady A, and more.
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For the first time in CMA Country Christmas’s 14-year history, contemporary Christian singer Amy Grant teamed up with country legend Trisha Yearwood to host the event. In addition to sharing hosting duties, the ladies performed together and took solo turns throughout the night.
When it was Amy’s turn to perform, she chose to sing “Grown-Up Christmas List,” a song that she included on her 1992 holiday album, Home For Christmas. Originally written by famed composer and producer, David Foster, and Linda Thompson-Jenner in 1989. Foster included a duet performance of the song with Natalie Cole in his CBC television show “A David Foster Christmas Card” that same year.
Foster’s original recording of the song gained moderate attention, but grew in popularity following Amy Grant’s recording. Grant’s rendition led to numerous other covers from other artists, leading “Grown-Up Christmas List” to become one of David Foster’s most widely played songs.
Fans will notice a big change between David Foster’s original song and Amy Grant’s rendition.
Ahead of recording the song for her own holiday album, Amy Grant penned a second verse.
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 an interview with Sirius XM radio, Grant shared that she sought David Foster’s approval before adding the additional lyrics. Not only was Foster impressed, he offered to add Amy to the songwriting credits for the song, which she declined.
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Many of the covers of “Grown-Up Christmas List” released since have included Grant’s additional verse, including covers recorded by Kelly Clarkson, Aretha Franklin, and Lauren Alaina.
Watch Amy Grant sing “Grown-Up Christmas List” for the 2023 CMA Country Christmas in the video below!