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Kodi Lee Nails Elvis' Baritone Voice in His Jazzy Cover of "Blue Christmas"

The AGT alum knocked Elvis Presley's signature warble out of the park! 

By Elizabeth Logan

What a warble. America's Got Talent winner Kodi Lee covered "Blue Christmas," as made famous by Elvis Presley, and truly channeled the late rock icon, dropping into his lower register to deliver a pitch-perfect impression of the crooner.

How to Watch

Watch the Season 19 premiere of America’s Got Talent Tuesday, May 28 at 8/7c on NBC and next day on Peacock

In Christmas-y red sunglasses and a red vest, Lee recorded the cover as part of an autism research fundraiser in 2021. Not only has Lee covered Presley before, he's even covered a song that starts with "blue:" Check out his fabulous version of "Blue Suede Shoes" here.

And hear Lee's cover of "Blue Christmas" here. 

You can catch even more Kodi Lee when he competes as one of the 40 returning Acts on the upcoming America's Got Talent: Fantasy League.

What to know about "Blue Christmas"

Written by Billy Hayes and Jay W. Johnson, the song was originally released in 1948. When Elvis Presley included it on his Elvis' Christmas Album LP in 1957, it became a hit and has since become a Christmas classic.

RELATED: Kodi Lee's Cover of "Angels" by Robbie Williams Is Utterly Breathtaking: Listen

The song uses a color motif to tell the story of holiday season loneliness. Ruby red ornaments and bright white lights may decorate a happy green Christmas tree — but Presley is confined to blue memories, blue snowflakes, and blue feelings. It's a very simple but effective juxtaposition. 

A split of Kodi Lee playing the piano and Elvis playing the guitar

"Blue Christmas" lyrics 

I'll have a blue Christmas without you
I'll be so blue just thinking about you
Decorations of red on a green Christmas tree
Won't be the same dear, if you're not here with me

RELATED: Kodi Lee Taught Simon Cowell His Secret Handshake, and the Moment Was So Cute

And when those blue snowflakes start falling
That's when those blue memories start calling
You'll be doing all right
With your Christmas of white
But I'll have a blue, blue, blue, blue Christmas

You'll be doing alright
With your Christmas of white
But I'll have a blue, blue, blue, blue Christmas

You'll be doing all right
With your Christmas of white
But I'll have a blue, blue, blue, blue Christmas