A Tender Reunion in Song — “This Christmas Time” as a Quiet Celebration of Love and Memory
Released in 2007 as part of the seasonal album Christmas Together, “This Christmas Time” by Chris Norman & Susan Norman stands as a gentle, heartfelt reflection on togetherness, gratitude, and the enduring warmth of family during the holidays. Though not a major charting single in the UK or Germany upon release—largely because it was issued as part of a niche Christmas collection rather than pushed as a commercial hit—the song found its audience among longtime admirers of Chris Norman, especially across continental Europe, where he has enjoyed sustained popularity since his days with Smokie.
To understand the emotional weight of “This Christmas Time,” one must first consider the voice behind it. Chris Norman, once the unmistakable lead singer of Smokie, rose to fame in the 1970s with classics like “Living Next Door to Alice” and “If You Think You Know How to Love Me.” His warm, slightly husky tenor became synonymous with romantic yearning and melodic soft rock. After embarking on a solo career in the 1980s—most notably scoring a No. 1 European hit with “Midnight Lady” in Germany—Norman cultivated a loyal following, particularly in Germany, Austria, and parts of Eastern Europe.
By 2007, Norman was no longer chasing pop charts. Instead, he was crafting music for those who had grown alongside him—listeners who had known his voice for decades and carried it through various chapters of their lives. Christmas Together was a personal project, featuring duets with his wife, Susan Norman, whose presence lends “This Christmas Time” an intimacy rarely captured in commercial holiday music. This is not the exuberant, brassy Christmas of department store playlists; it is a quieter, more reflective season—one spent by the fire, recalling both absence and presence.
Musically, the song leans into soft adult contemporary territory. The arrangement is understated: gentle acoustic guitar, warm keyboard textures, and subtle orchestration that supports rather than overwhelms. The melody unfolds without urgency, allowing the lyrics to breathe. And it is in those lyrics that the song reveals its true strength. “This Christmas Time” is not about spectacle. It is about returning—returning home, returning to love, returning to what truly matters after the noise of the year has faded.
There is something profoundly sincere in hearing a husband and wife sing about togetherness during Christmas. It is not theatrical; it feels lived-in. Their harmonies are not polished to perfection but carry the comfortable familiarity of two voices that have shared decades. That authenticity becomes the emotional anchor of the piece.
Unlike many seasonal releases designed for radio rotation, “This Christmas Time” was aimed at a devoted audience—listeners who still purchase physical albums, who treasure liner notes, who appreciate continuity in an artist’s journey. In Germany, where Chris Norman continues to tour and chart respectably with albums well into the 2000s, the record found particular resonance. His fan base there has long valued his consistency and melodic craftsmanship.
The deeper meaning of the song lies in its quiet insistence that Christmas is less about celebration and more about reconciliation—with loved ones, with memory, even with oneself. It carries an undertone of gratitude, as though aware that time moves swiftly and that each December is a gift not to be taken for granted.
For those who remember the golden years of soft rock radio, hearing Chris Norman’s voice in “This Christmas Time” is like opening an old photo album. The timbre has matured, yes—but it retains that unmistakable warmth. There is a certain comfort in that continuity. Voices change, fashions change, the industry changes—but some melodies remain steadfast companions.
In a career that spans from stadium tours with Smokie to intimate solo performances across Europe, this song may not rank among his commercial milestones. Yet emotionally, it occupies a unique place. It feels less like a performance and more like a conversation—a whispered reminder that amid the passing years, love endures.
And perhaps that is the true gift of “This Christmas Time.” Not nostalgia for its own sake, but reassurance. A melody that understands the weight of memory—and carries it gently.