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From what we typically see on TV and hear on the radio, the holidays are supposed to be a happy time. But for many people right now, that’s just not the case, largely because they’ve had to reassess the safety of long-held family traditions due to the pandemic, or, more tragically, have lost loved ones to COVID-19. Every winter for the past two years, Nashville-based singer-songwriter Danielle Cormier<\/a> has written a Christmas song, and this year, she chose to sing about the sadness of celebrating the holidays after the death of a family member. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Cormier co-wrote the song, “This Time Last Year,” with singer-songwriter Karlie Bartholomew. Both of them had unexpectedly lost loved ones this year \u2014 Cormier lost her father, and Bartholomew lost her grandfather \u2014 and though neither of those deaths were due to COVID, the song was written with those who lost family members to the pandemic in mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “After my father passed away, I knew this was what I wanted to write a Christmas song about. A lot of people unfortunately can relate to not having a loved one there for them during Christmas, especially this year,” she says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The single shares many typical elements of holiday songs: minimalistic piano and strings, lyrics about stockings and snow angels, and even sleigh bells. But unlike the cheery mood of your usual Christmas music, Cormier somberly sings about holidays that “aren’t the same” and “presents wrapped without your name.” Perhaps the most poignant line is, “I keep expecting you to walk through the door\/Just like every winter before.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n