My LEAST Favourite Christmas Song "12 Days of Christmas" by Pentatonix | Vocal Coach Reacts

[@ShinyElfriend]

Other than their stellar vocals individually, and how good they are at blending them, what I love about Pentatonix is that they are good kind humans devoted to supporting one another, and devoted to their individual families. They are very good at keeping their egos out of it, remaining humble and appreciative, and make all their choices to support the music, (because they are self-proclaimed choir nerds). I love that they all write original music and arrange, together, separately, and collaboratively. I love how complex they can get, and how fantastic they sound pared down. I love how they interact with their live audiences keeping it very personal while having a supremely polished show. I love their consistency. I love that they continue to stretch as artists. I love how diverse they are, musically, and that they each take on side projects to feed their individual artistic goals. Lastly, I love how they spread so much joy, keeping the energy they put out into the world positive.

[@bethphillips9693]

I love the harmonies, love the arrangements, but I particularly love them as human beings. It's been a rare pleasure watching them literally grow up over the years. They are so generous, sharing so many shorts and behind the scenes looks at their process. They love what they do and it shows.

[@Perfect_Blend]

I also love the harmonies and the fact that it's Kirsten and "the guys" She adds something to the group that other acapella lack. I also LOVE their funny, quirky sides. Watching the making of Evergreen, we really saw how they all work together so well and have fun while doing it.

[@samanthatyrrell2240]

For me, personally Pentatonix is my favourite. They have the full package and it’s not one person. It’s the coming together of people who all are brilliant solo artists, to make something more than the sum of its parts. I enjoy the Mitch slap moments, the rumble of the bass from Matt (and the beautiful heartfelt moments like in OHoly Night), or the unmatched low notes of Avi, the soaring voice and harmonies of Kirstie, the nonstop genius of Kevin, his beats, singing, playing and just general positivity is out of this world. Then there’s Scott. Doesn’t matter if he has the lead, or is supporting any of the harmonies with his incredible range, or slotting in the middle to fill out the sound, his obvious joy and passion drive the group ever higher. Not forgetting Ben Bram and all the team that goes into making them sound amazing. Their arrangements are stunning. We have seen them in stairwells, in churches, in bathrooms 😂 they don’t need to prove anything, they are one of the reason this genre of music is so popular.

[@thinuviel07]

The synergy is making PTX for me so special. The big arrangements are even with the smaller but more emotional songs ... because the connection, respect between this 5 talented musicians and the fact that everithing they do is serving the song.

[@ruth2141]

The group does the arranging themselves, making a general plan then improvising different harmonies, styles, etc. Kevin comes up with the percussion, and IMO you are right that his contributions are a huge part of why their sound is so popular. When they get something they like, they send a recording to their "sixth member" Ben Bram, who is an experienced a capella arranger / producer. He tweaks it, makes sheet music and there may or may not be further discussion and revisions. When they get a Grammy for their arrangements all six of them win.

[@carmengibson]

It seems like they are throwing back to their own history with some of the backgrounds. They made this fun again.

[@richardfranz3180]

If you really want Kevin's flair, you must behold the wondrousness that is their rendition of "O, Come All Ye Faithful". For Kirsten's best, imho, one must check out "Season's of Love".

[@HH-yo2bs]

I'm an alto - I always listen for the harmonies! :) Their overall musicality is what drew me in 11 years ago - intricate arrangements, beautiful individual voices, even more beautiful blend (you should check out their music videos for My Heart With You and for Christmastime Is Here x Pure Imagination, they'll be right up your alley!), outstanding dynamics, boundless creativity, and openness to all genres of music!

[@xbubblehead]

I appreciate that no matter who is out front, they sound like the star and the others fully support them. And that they project that they are really enjoying what they are doing.

[@richardlessard58]

What I love is the connection to the songs that they have. The best, and the most emotional, example of this for me is "O Holy Night" that they did last year. Truly a case of PTX at the top of their game.

[@suzannebastien2918]

I love everything about Pentatonix but I have to admit that listening to the "Wall of sound" coming from them is just mind blowing 🤩

[@DonnaBoyd-c3z]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Love Aunt Donna xo

[@HahnJames]

I always imagine that this song takes place in medieval times around a royal court... ladies dancing, lords a leaping, etc. In my mind's eye, the singer is a lady of the court. Her true love is providing her with all of the things that a courtly lady would need to survive. Partridge, turtle doves, French hens, geese and goose eggs (remember, they're laying) are all pretty tasty if done right. If you've ever had scrambled goose eggs (egg), you won't want to go back to regular scrambled chicken eggs, again. Then,. there's the maids bringing in milk from the royal barns. The calling birds refer to song birds that can be either caged or placed in the garden for a pleasant sound. The drummers and pipers provide music for the dance where the 12 lords are leaping as part of the dance with the 11 ladies dancing. the 12th lady for the 12th lord a leaping is the woman singing the song. Oh, and the 5 gold rings represent him providing her of his wealth,. Every courtly lady needs to have an expense account. Whoever this lady is, her true love is really stuck on her to give her all of these extravagant gifts. Oh, and don't ask me what the swans a swimming are for. They are kind of fun to watch, though. I really like to hear groups like Pentatonix and other acapella groups harmonize. My least favorite Christmas sone is, "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer." Merry Christmas, Nick! I hope you have a most wonderful and joyful holiday!

[@FrozenRose816]

Please please PLEASE do PTX's 2023 version of O Holy Night! They had done this song on their very first Christmas EP and it was just ok. they revisited it last year and it is far and away one of their best. The arrangement is completely new and SO much better.

[@patriciaalvareztostado8170]

I love all of them, I agree that Kevin is very important to Ptx, with the beatbox or playing cello, and both, but for me they are two things that I like more, is the versatility that they have, and Kirstin, because of the most important acapella groups Home Free, Voice Play and Pentatonix, is the only one that has a female voice, and a great voice, love the way she sings, and what she bring to the band, she and Micth could switch so much, and so many people dosent know how is sings, and also their friendship, they are a family and you could feel it, all of them are give time to shine

[@Lee-ej4gj]

Love your videos

[@the_petty_crocker]

When it comes to covers, what sets PTX apart for me is that, like Kelly Clarkson, their version is always an upgrade. The arrangement is more complicated, the vocals are (usually) more difficult, and often they present a song the way I've always felt it should have been done. I've never listened to one of their covers and been disappointed. I may not always necessarily like it more than the original, though I often do, but it always pulls outs different tones and textures and thoughts and appreciation for the song. And as excellent as their voices are, they're never over the top. They sing the hell out of a song while letting it stand on its own. That's a rare balance.

[@pihoihoi]

Reminds me a lot of how Steeleye Span turned folksongs into contemporary (pop) music, In fact, all the vocal arrangements sound like taken from a Steeleye Span template!

[@xbubblehead]

They took the most tedious of the traditional Christmas songs and made it interesting and enjoyable.

[@ruth2141]

My least favorite is "Cherry Tree Carol". "Twelve Days" is fun only if you get 12 audience members up to do choreography. There are some good live videos of this. I don't know how they keep track of which arrangement to sing for the 4-3-2-1 countdown, because I think it's different on every verse.

[@larryross9492]

I like all the things you mentioned, but the secret ingredient for me is surprise in their arrangements.

[@WNYretiree]

I'm with you on 12 Days of Christmas. Not by any means my favorite Christmas song. I thought that Pentatonix did a fine job on this. With the variety they managed to instill, the song became bearable, at least. I have to say that whoever constructed this video did a great job. Visually, the way the screens changed was a big help in maintaining interest in the song for me. I kept waiting to see who the members would pop up next.

[@maaikedebruijn6383]

You should check out " sancta terra" from epica and floor jansen it is amazing and i think you would love it as well 🤩🤩🤩

[@CapriUni]

Not to burst anyone's bubble that these gifts were meant to be pets, but: The reason why someone would want that many birds is to *eat* them -- Geese (and goose eggs), swans, blackbirds, hens, were all typically roasted for feasts. And with that many milkmaids, dancing ladies, pipers, and lords to feed (for twelve days), you'd need a long grocery list. [Note: this reply was written 30% tongue-in-cheek]

[@thisismetoday7423]

I’m an acapella singer and I think it’s important to acknowledge they are human and are not perfect singers live. Yes, they are great but I was at their concert a couple of weeks ago and there were times someone was off. One song in particular was a total mess for me. But I still really enjoyed it overall!

[@lauracottom7425]

I personally think they sound better live. Seen them several times.

[@justanotherfluteguy]

Nick jamming to 5 💍 4-3 sus: <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="220">3:40</a> <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="272">4:32</a> <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="285">4:45</a> <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="301">5:01</a> <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="418">6:58</a> <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="524">8:44</a> <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="542">9:02</a> <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="639">10:39</a> <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="662">11:02</a> <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="769">12:49</a> <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="809">13:29</a>

[@MaKettle111]

Mine too. 😎

[@MrSardine17]

Sorry, it's good, but pales against 'Christmas Truce' by Sabaton. The emotional impact is immense, especially with the video - the production is awesome and someone you might recognise sings over the end credits, (hint: operatic soprano:)

[@totoro123]

My favourite group is Voiceplay, it used to be PTX - but I find them rather too polished and predictable, whereas Voiceplay have the variety and excitement of early PTX

[@NiiloPaasivirta]

Do you know what that song is about? It's not about birds. It's a hymn, about the most religious Christmas song you could find. The "partridge in a pear tree" was Jesus Christ who died on a tree as a gift from God. The "two turtle doves" were the Old and New Testaments - another gift from God. The "three French hens" were faith, hope and love - the three gifts of the Spirit that abide (I Corinthians 13). The "four calling birds" were the four Gospels which sing the song of salvation through Jesus Christ. The "five golden rings" were the first five books of the Bible also called the "Books of Moses". The "six geese a-laying" were the six days of creation. The "seven swans a swimming" were the "seven gifts of the Holy Spirit". (I Corinthians <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="728">12:8</a>-11; Romans 12, Ephesians 4; I Peter <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="250">4:10</a>-11). The "eight maids a milking" were the eight beatitudes. The "nine ladies dancing" were nine fruits of the Holy Spirit. (Galatians <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="322">5:22</a> & 23) The "ten lords a-leaping" were the Ten Commandments. The "eleven pipers piping" were the eleven faithful disciples. The "twelve drummers drumming" were the twelve points of the Apostles' Creed.

[@patriciathobro7746]

Wow. That is truly terrible.

[@nickhiggsthesinger]

What is??

[@JimKlus-jc4dw]

@@nickhiggsthesinger- don't bother commenting to @patriciathobro7746, he or she is so anti-PTX always posting hateful comments against PTX.