Billboard Artist Satya Releases Emotional Cover of “Happy Xmas (War Is Over),” A Song of Hope, Gratitude, and Unity
Canadian pop-R&B artist Satya re-releases her powerful rendition of “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” this holiday season, offering listeners a heartfelt reminder of love, gratitude, and community. Directly coming off the heels of her recent release of her new single “Realness”, which hit #66 on the U.S. Mediabase CHR Activator chart this year.
“Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” was originally recorded to honor the timeless message of John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s classic. Satya’s version carries a deeply personal resonance, making it a seasonal highlight once again in 2025.
“This is my favorite song because it feels so actual and necessary,” Satya shares. “Every year I look at what I’ve done for others, and when I listen to this song, it makes me cry. I wish we could live in a world where we come together as one community and help each other.”
For Satya, Christmas has always been an emotional season, a mix of joy and reflection.
“Christmas is nostalgic for me. I think about people who might not have a wonderful Christmas and about how every year could be the last for the older members of my family—you never know. For me, Christmas is about gratitude. It’s not about gifts; it’s about having my loved ones around me. Sharing love and giving back to the community matters most—not just at Christmas, but all year round.”
Delivering soaring vocals and unfiltered honesty, Satya brings fresh emotion to “Happy Xmas (War Is Over),” reaffirming its enduring message of peace and unity.
With “Happy Xmas (War Is Over),” Satya invites listeners to embrace gratitude, cherish loved ones, and carry the spirit of unity beyond the holidays.
First off, care to introduce yourself to our readers?
Hello everyone, my name is SATYA, I am a Moroccan-Canadian Pop and R&B singer-songwriter from Quebec. My dream is to share my music with the world, in the hope that my songs can help heal and build confidence in others, as they have for me.
Your re-release of “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” is deeply personal, especially given the song’s themes of peace and unity. Can you describe the emotional process of taking on such an iconic classic?
Happy Xmas (War is Over) is a song that has tremendously inspired me throughout the years. Even as a young girl, I understood the importance it carried. The message this song conveyed truly resonated with my heart and wish for the world: To foster unity through love and understanding. So, before each rehearsal, I would listen to the song and reconnect with the emotions it carried. Being in the right creative mindset is crucial, as it allows me to envision ways to incorporate my sound without taking away from the core of the original piece.
You beautifully articulated that this song makes you reflect on what you’ve done for others, and you wish for a world where we come together as one community. Beyond the song itself, what is one tangible way you make an effort to “give back to the community” or help others during the holiday season?
There are countless ways to give back during the holiday season. Over the years, there have been two main channels through which I give back, both of which have been constant for almost a decade. With the help of our entourage, my mother, aunts have collected and distributed meals for families in need in our community. Although this is a year-round contribution, we recognize its heightened importance during the holidays, as families work so hard to create magical moments for their children.
In addition to getting involved in a myriad of local charities, every year I help the Fondation Un Noël Pour Tous donate Christmas stockings filled with toys, hygiene products, and other essentials for children aged 0-18 in the Montérégie region. Giving back is one of the most essential parts of who I am, something I wish to pass on to my daughter. I want to show up for my community the same way I do for myself and my family, because we all deserve a sense of peace during the holidays. This period is highly stressful for many, especially those with limited resources.
You shared that Christmas is a mix of joy and reflection for you, centered on gratitude and having loved ones around. What is a specific, cherished holiday tradition—unrelated to music or gifts—that helps ground you and allows you to fully embrace that feeling of gratitude?
The first thing that comes to mind is how my family and I share our highs and lows of the year and give each other wishes for the year to come, similar to how we share gratitudes during Thanksgiving. It always makes me feel supported, and their voices will pop up throughout the year during times of doubt. Building a strong and supportive community is a pivotal part of my success and feeds my motivation to keep pushing forward in a difficult, yet utterly rewarding industry.
Beyond the classic message of peace, if you could write a brand new Christmas song right now that embodies your current musical style and personal message, what core theme or emotion would that original song center around?
Building an original Christmas album is a project I would love to concretize one day. If I had to pick one word to describe that album, it would be warmth. Just like how R&B and soul carry a deep warmth to the genre, so does the holiday season. With warmth comes comfort and security, two qualities represented in my music. So, that fictional album—for now—would be all about love, closeness, and building memories around that warm, fuzzy feeling you get when bundled up near a fireplace with a hot cocoa in hands, surrounded by the ones you love.
Finally, what can we expect next from you?
I am extremely excited about the new year, you can expect a lot more music coming out. I am collaborating with new and innovative producers that were able to encapsulate my vision perfectly, so I am thrilled to share with you all.
Thank you for this opportunity to share a bit more about myself, and I wish everyone a very merry Christmas!
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