Wednesday, 17 December 2025

Magnus Carlsson - Hymn To Love / Lovsång till kärleken


CHRISTMAS IN A WEEK AND A DAY!!

Stream all versions of Hymn to Love here (Spotify)

As Mariah, Buble and Wham are synonymous to the season for millions, for me (and many others) so is Magnus Carlsson. His ever growing catalogue of Christmas songs are regular repeat offenders on my Holiday Playlist - it was always said of him he knew how to sing Christmas well. And even in a year like this one, when there is no new Yuletide treat from him, he still releases a song that is so aligned with the sentiment of the most wonderful time of the year that you can't help but adopt it at as an honourary Christmas song. Hymn of Love (Lovsång till kärleken in Swedish - he also sings the song in this language) is a cover of the Edif Piaf classic ballad Hymne à l'amour. Taken from the super deluxe edition of his excellent album Se mig bara för den jag är, this is a piano & vocal duet that beautifully captures the magic of the lyrics, bringing them to life as Magnus sweetly yet powerfully sings of the world's greatest emotion. His voice is resonant yet restrained to give the song a quiet dynamism that creates a kind of hush, like a second act soliloquy in some captivating musical yet to be created. The piano really does work harmoniously, lavish chords and pacing elevating Magnus' spellbinding performance. Play when the worries of the world get too much & you need soothing and solace. 

For the uninitiated in Magnus festive back catalogue, check out my list of Magnus' five most enchanting Christmas songs (and check out his fabulous Spotify playlist here)...
  • 5 ~ Christmas With You: I do love a bit of wistful reminiscence at Christmas and when it's set to music as euphoric and ebullient as this, well it's all the more satisfying. There's a rather grandiose string section leading into an absolutely soaring chorus where Magnus sings how making a wish at Christmas to be with your loved one (even if the relationship has gone kaput!) just seems so much more magical. He's so sincere and charming with it that it's hard not to believe. I BELIEVE MAGNUS! *Makes wish at Christmas time*...
  • 4 ~ Let There Be Light: Let There Be Light once again proves that Mr Carlsson is the most effusive raconteur of seasonal stories. In it's own way the arrangement feels like a mixture of Cliff Richard's Mistletoe and Wine and Annie Lennox/Al Green's Put A Little Love In Your Heart. It is a glorious pop tune covered with all the essential seasonal trimmings - I still believe that this engaging gem couldy be a contender for the coveted UK festive number one...
  • 3 ~ Wonderful Dreams (Holidays are Coming): You may well know it as the jingle to the Coca Cola Christmas ad from a few years back, but I'll always love it as the perfect festive song from Magnus. Set to a lush and sumptuous sixties-inspired backing track, the song does an amazing job of building excitement for the big day itself through clever production and, of course, Magnus' engaging & heartwarming vocal style. Essential listening at any time of the holiday season :)
  • 2 ~ This Christmas: This Christmas is a genuine musical party waiting to happen. Fueled by an element of Motown influences skilfully propelled by an exuberance that will leave you with the biggest rush of joy you can imagine. Those gospel backing singers compel you to raise your hands to the ceiling with vibrant glee while Magnus sounds like he's quite literally having the time of his life. There's a conviction to his vocals that ensures that you absolutely know whoever he is singing about is going to have a very merry Christmas (and probably a jolly good snog too. Can't complain at either).
  • 1 ~ Wrap Myself In Paper: Ah, the song that gives us the lyrics that inspired this post ("It's Christmas in a week and a day/and I can't figure out what to give away/might just wrap myself in paper for you, baby"). It's not only one of my favourite Magnus festive tunes, it's also one of my fave Magnus songs AND one of my all time favourite Christmas songs. Listen, fall in love and play often :)
**Ghosts of Christmas past**
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