Robert Hinrichs‘s It’s Hard to Let Go of the Holiday is a stirring musical meditation on the power and poignancy of Christmas, a season that for many is not merely a festive celebration but a spiritual touchstone – a time when the spirit of love, warmth, and memory takes centre stage. With a tender piano introduction and sweeping orchestral strings, the song invites listeners into an experience that feels both grand and intimate, as if we’re peeking into the personal reflections of someone deeply connected to the seasonal magic and its gentle melancholy.
Hinrichs masterfully interweaves themes of transience and remembrance, using the metaphor of packing away holiday decorations as a symbol for the passing of cherished times. This act, which may seem mundane, becomes a powerful symbol for the larger journey of preserving precious memories, especially of moments shared with loved ones who may no longer be with us. His lyrics, infused with warmth and wistful nostalgia, remind us that each Christmas is a fleeting gift, one that we hold close as a means of grounding ourselves in love and continuity amidst the swift passing of time.
Recorded at home in Lincoln, Nebraska, with an immersive mix by Dan Malsch in New York, the production envelops us in a cinematic soundscape. The full choir and orchestral arrangement, played and arranged by Hinrichs himself, echo the grandeur of timeless holiday compositions like Silent Night and Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite.
There’s a sense of reverence in every note, as if each melody and harmony were crafted to honour the spirit of Christmas past, present, and future. Hinrichs’s piece speaks to the heart and soul of Christmas, not only as a holiday but as a reminder of our shared humanity and the quiet strength of memories that live on through music, loved ones, and traditions.
As we listen to It’s Hard to Let Go of the Holiday, we’re left with the feeling that this song will resonate for years to come, a modern-day classic that embodies the bittersweet essence of holding on and letting go. The beauty of Christmas, as Hinrichs so skilfully conveys, lies not just in its joy but in its gentle, enduring reminders of love, memory, and the promise that our most beloved moments can linger, a quiet guiding light through the seasons of our lives.
We have added It’s Hard to Let Go of the Holiday to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS playlist, whilst we anticipate the Holiday season and continue to explore Robert Hinrichs‘s wider discography, including Wake the World.