Exclusive Interview with Matthew West Reveals Summertime Inspiration for Christmas Songs
Matthew West is one of the most prolific Christmas musicians in all of CCM, having penned and sung multiple snow-themed holiday tunes that landed on Billboard’s Christian Airplay chart.
And, he says, he wrote many of them during the summer heat. That’s because writing, recording, and promoting a song can take weeks, if not months.
“I might be wearing shorts and flip flops [while writing],” West told Christian Headlines, laughing at the thought.
“A lot of the Christmas songs that you listen to were written quite possibly in the middle of a heatwave,” he said. “As a composer and a musician, you really have to find ways to get into the Christmas spirit, even in the summertime.”
Even so, he added, “it’s easy to get inspired” to write something new.
On Dec. 22 at 8 p.m. Eastern, West’s holiday special, Come Home for Christmas, airs on TBN, showcasing classic tunes and some of his top original songs. It was recorded at Belmont University’s Fisher Center and includes scenes from his annual Christmas-themed event, also called Come Home for Christmas, held in Franklin, Tenn.
West’s Christmas music often lands on Billboard’s chart. His latest song, Because Of Bethlehem, is currently No. 30. Come Home For Christmas (2022) climbed to No. 12, while The Hope Of Christmas (2020) reached No. 9. At least 10 of West’s 40 songs have charted during his career have been holiday tunes. His 2009 song Give This Christmas Away soared to No. 1.
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Photo Courtesy: @CanvaPro/SWN Design/Photo Courtesy: Dove Awards/Terry Wyatt
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