Greatest Time of Year

“Greatest Time of Year”
Single by Aly & AJ from the album Acoustic Hearts of Winter
Released	September 2006 (USA) (see release history)
Format	Digital download Radio Disney single
Recorded	2006
Genre	Christmas
Length	3:13 (Single Version) 3:39 (Album Version) 2:19 (All Wrapped Up Version)
Record label	Hollywood Records
Writer(s)	Alyson Michalka, Amanda Michalka, Antonina Armato, Tim James (songwriter)
Aly & AJ main singles chronology
"Chemicals React" (2006) "Greatest Time of Year" (2006) "Potential Breakup Song" (2007)

Aly & AJ minor singles chronology
"Chemicals React" (2006)	"Greatest Time of Year" (2006)	"Shine" (2006)

"Greatest Time of Year" is the first and only single from Aly & AJ's Christmas album Acoustic Hearts of Winter. The single was used for The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause|The Santa Clause 3, similar to the way Hilary Duff's song "Santa Claus Lane" was used for The Santa Clause 2, and the music video also had scenes from the film. The video first aired on October 20, 2006 on the Disney Channel. The single debuted at number ninety-six on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Song information

It was released to iTunes as a single version with the beginning chorus cut off like in the video as well as an 8 second snippet just before the bridge. The cover of the single is also included, despite that it wasn't a mainstream single release.

The song is also featured in Disney's holiday albums, Disney Channel Holiday and All Wrapped Up. The version in Disney Channel Holiday is the album version, while the version in All Wrapped Up is a new edit, which has no bridge, and ended with a live-audience sound.

Track listings and formats

Digital single (U.S., November 21, 2006)
#	Title	Length
1.	"Greatest Time of Year" (Music Video Version)	3:13
2.	"Radio Disney Interview"	2:47
6:00

Music video

• The music video was directed by Declan Whitebloom.
• The video does not include the intro but instead skips to the first verse of the song, and it also leaves out a small 8 second snippet just before the bridge. There are no other differences.
• The music video first aired on the Disney Channel after Return to Halloweentown in October 2006. Disney has begun airing it more frequently once The Santa Clause 3 came out in theaters and its Billboard debut.
• A version without any Santa Clause 3 scenes is featured on MTV.com
  

Lyrics

it's the greatest time of year, and it's here
help me celebrate it
with everybody here, friends so dear
let me simply state it
it's our favorite way to spend the holiday
yeah

there's a special kind of feeling in the air
it only happens at this time of year
when everyone is filled with love and cheer
'cause that's what matters

pretty paper boxes tied with bows
walking in the sun or in the snow
we can feel the excitement growing, growing

(chorus)
it's the greatest time of year, and it's here
help me celebrate it
with everybody here, friends so dear
let me simply state it
joy to the world and everyone
lift up your hearts and feel the love
it's our favorite way, to spend the holiday
yeah

we can get all cozy by the fire
turn the music up a little higher
i don't think that i could ever tire
of being together

decorate the tree, hang mistletoe
and stand by me

it's a picture perfect moment captured
memories that we'll have after

(chorus)

spend the holidays...

it's the greatest time

it's the greatest time of year, and it's here
help me celebrate it
with everybody here, friends so dear
let me simply state it
joy to the world
joy to the world
joy to the world
it's the greatest time of year
it's the greatest time

it's the greatest time of year, and it's here
help me celebrate it
with everybody here, friends so dear
let me simply state it
joy to the world and everyone
lift up your hearts and feel the love
it's our favourite way, to spend the holiday

Release history

Date	Country	Format	Label
Sept., 2006	USA	Radio Disney	Hollywood Records
Nov. 21, 2006		Digital download

Charts

Chart (2006)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	96
U.S. Billboard Pop 100	72