In 2013, Britain’s Got Talent Season 3 runner-up Susan Boyle did a version of the gorgeous Christmas hymn “O Come, All Ye Faithful.” Better yet, she used Elvis Presley’s recording of the song to create a seamless posthumous duet.
The special collaboration appeared on Boyle’s Christmas album, Home for Christmas. At the time, proceeds from the single were donated to Save the Children, an organization of which Boyle is an ambassador. According to Metro, she got the go-ahead to use Elvis’ voice from his ex-wife, Priscilla Presley, with AGT‘s own Simon Cowell offering his assistance.
“It was actually Simon Cowell’s idea and he messaged Priscilla to get permission,” she said. “My dad and my whole family were Elvis fans and she gave me permission. I do sometimes feel his presence when I sing the song, but who wouldn’t? I think he would be quite excited about the duet.”
What to know about “O Come, All Ye Faithful”
A classic holiday carol, it is unknown who officially composed “O Come, All Ye Faithful”, but has been attributed to the likes of Handel, Gluck, and John Francis Wade. It was originally printed in Latin in 1751 before being translated to English in 1841.
It has been covered multiple times over the years, famously by artists like Carrie Underwood, Nat King Cole, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Faith Hill, the Pentatonix, and more.
