Ever discover that a song you never really cared for becomes one you enjoy listening to in later years? It’s a theme I’m sure I’ll revisit in the future, but the metamorphosis from strong dislike to love is very applicable to “Blue Christmas.”

Like most folks, I was introduced to “Blue Christmas” via Elvis Presley, who popularized the tune though it was first recorded in 1948 by country music pioneer Ernest Tubbs. Though Elvis’ Christmas Album didn’t make the music collection at my house, a good family friend had it on cassette, and so whenever we were in her car around this time of year (heeding the call of malls near and far), the King’s glad tidings she did bring.

Of course, “Blue Christmas” isn’t exactly the feel-good hit of the season, so it’s really no surprise that I didn’t like the song as a kid. In place of silver bells and sugar plums, you’ve got straight-up heartbreak, son, a lonely tale of yearning for the one you love at a time of year when everyone else is happily celebrating together. It’s Christmas, yay!

It wasn’t until I was much older and encountered Sheryl Crow‘s cover of “Blue Christmas” that I could wrap my arms around the song’s adult theme. Brilliantly sung with a healthy dose of bitterness missing from The King’s canonical version, Crow’s woozy, bluesy take appeared on 1997’s A Very Special Christmas 3, the long-running seasonal series benefiting Special Olympics. Hear here:

Crow continued her association with A Very Special Christmas in the years that followed, participating in sets 4 and 5. Last year she recorded her own holiday album, the Hallmark-exclusive Home For Christmas, which sported a more swinging version of “Blue Christmas.” But for me, her first cut is the deepest.

Purchase Sheryl Crow – “Blue Christmas” via iTunes, Amazon MP3.

And since I’m on the topic, A Very Special Christmas 7 was released this year, continuing the charity series after a five-year pause. The new edition rounds up holiday tracks from current pop and country stars, including Miley Cyrus, Carrie Underwood, Leighton Meester, and Sean Kingston. (Yeah, not so much, even if it is for a good cause.)