Susan Boyle stunned the world when she sang “I Dreamed a Dream” on Britain’s Got Talent eight long years ago.
It was the performance that catapulted her into international fame.
For those who are unfamiliar, Boyle was an unemployed charity worker living at home with her cat, Pebbles. When she walked onto the Britain’s Got Talent stage for her audition and told the judges she wanted to be as famous as Elaine Page, Simon Cowell threw her a smirk of mockery and condescension.
In a world where the appearance of celebrities is attractive, sexy, and often fake, Boyle’s “somewhat unkempt appearance” (as described by ABC News) didn’t exactly impress the crowd. With only one song, however, she became a living reminder to never judge a book by its cover.
Boyle’s performance of “I Dreamed a Dream” ultimately stunned the audience and judges alike. One of the YouTube videos showcasing the event currently boasts more than 219 MILLION views.
Nowadays, Boyle is an international success, enjoying a lucrative singing career while still maintaining her humble, home-grown roots. Since “I Dreamed a Dream,” she has released five more albums, selling more than 25 million records worldwide, reports The Sun UK.
Boyle’s second album, The Gift, consisted of classic holiday carols, such as “The First Noel”, “Away in a Manger”, and “Auld Lang Syne”— but it was her gorgeous performance of “O Holy Night” on Larry King Live that became a classic on its own. And luckily, we have the video footage.
“O Holy Night” is a popular Christmas carl penned back in 1847. It was written by Placide Cappeau, a wine merchant and poet on the behest of his local priest. The church had just renovated their organ, and the priest requested Cappeau help write a song to commemorate the event.
Once the lyrics were completed, Adolphe Adam composed music to accompany the piece. It was sung for the first time by Emily Laurey, a local opera singer. Interestingly, the song was later banned by church leaders when they discovered Cappeau was an atheist. However, the ban was lifted during the Persian War when a French soldier jumped out of the trenches and sang the song. According to UK Find My Past: “The Germans were moved by this action, and in return sang a hymn by Martin Luther, before a truce was a declared.”
As Boyle’s performance begins, the stage is dark, but lights quickly reveal her backed by an angelic children’s choir.
She is dressed in a regal, black dress which contrasts in a beautiful way with the children’s silky, white, choir robes.
Boyle begins to sing the lyrics of the song, her melodic, traditionally beautiful voice taking center stage— both literally and figuratively.
“O holy night, the stars are brightly shining,” she sings. “It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth; long lay the world in sin and error and pining till He appeared and the soul felt its worth…”
Somewhere in the third verse, the children’s choir joins, harmonizing with Boyle’s strong voice.
Their high-pitched notes providing a beautiful contrast to her depth and strength.
Since being uploaded to YouTube, the powerful performance has been viewed more than a million times.
Viewer Darrel Jones wrote:
“She sends chills down my spine with her powerful and most beautiful voice! This song, in particular, starts on earth but slowly, through Susan Boyle and that magnificent choir background, raises you as near to heaven as one could ever hope! Her rising crescendos lift the soul and carry the spirit as high as any angel ever could.”
Watch the incredible performance below.
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