The award-nominated singer-songwriter, Mick J Clark, who’s no stranger to success with his million-plus Spotify streams and chart-topping hits, has always succeeded at bringing a smile to my face.
His journey from independent artist to chart-breaker (hitting #2 on USA iTunes Top 100 Rock Songs with “We Know It’s True”) reveals his talents from previous ventures into various genres – from Latin to Country, Pop to R&B – illuminating his way to creating unrestricted music. This versatility shines through in his Christmas composition “Sing Glory Glory Hallelujah”
The song’s arrangement is a remarkable example of a holiday production. Opening with a characteristic jingle-bell motif that establishes the seasonal context, Clark layers in church bells that resonate with pristine clarity against a backbone of steady acoustic guitar work. The production eschews the typical saccharine overload of many modern Christmas songs, instead opting for a more organic approach that lets the instrumental elements breathe.
“Glory Glory Hallelujah” follows a traditional verse-chorus pattern, but Clark cleverly incorporates two distinct bridge sections that provide welcome dynamic variation. The first bridge, with its reference to the journey, creates a moment of stillness and pause before the rhythm section kicks back in, while the second bridge offers a more stylish meditation on gift-giving that cleverly subverts expectations.
The harmonic progression remains deliberately straightforward, building on true chord changes that support the message. The “jingle jangle” rhythm he employs is a slight pattern that keeps the energy moving forward while maintaining the song’s accessibility.
The opening verses acknowledge the Nativity narrative “The saviour born on this Christmas mourn, to every race and creed” while later verses expand into broader themes of unity and peace. This progression from specific to universal helps the song resonate with listeners regardless of their faith background. The recurring “glory glory hallelujah” chorus serves as an effective hook that’s impossible not to sing along to after just one listen.
The song’s message of unity “let’s all join hands, all across the land” might seem simple on paper, but in Clark’s capable hands, it carries genuine emotional weight.
Clark manages to incorporate traditional Christmas elements, the religious narrative, the call for peace on earth, and the sleigh bells, without falling into clichés. Each component serves the more wonderful whole, creating a holiday song that is both respectful of tradition and relevant to contemporary listeners.
For those tired of the same old holiday playlist rotation, “Sing Glory Glory Hallelujah” offers a refreshing addition to the Christmas music canon. It’s the rare seasonal song that could reasonably be enjoyed year-round, thanks to its underlying message of ending wars and joining hands.
Stream “Sing Glory Glory Hallelujah” on your preferred platform and add it to your holiday playlists – it’s exactly the kind of fresh take on Christmas music we need right now. With over 66k Spotify streams and climbing, many listeners are finding something special in Clark’s contribution to the holiday season.