Unwrapping “The Gift”: The Story and Release Date Behind Jim Brickman’s Timeless Classic

When it comes to contemporary piano instrumentalists and crossover radio hits, few artists capture the warmth of romance and the comfort of the holidays quite like Jim Brickman. Among his most enduring compositions is the smash hit single “The Gift.”

Whether you are hunting for its exact release date, looking back at its chart-topping history, or exploring how a holiday-adjacent track became a permanent wedding and love-song staple, here is the full story behind the music.

The Release Date: When Did “The Gift” Drop?

“The Gift” made its official debut as part of Jim Brickman’s seasonal album of the same name, The Gift.

• Album Release Date: September 16, 1997 (released via Windham Hill Records)
• Single Release: Following the album’s rollout, the track quickly gained traction on radio formats heading into the late fall and winter of 1997.

Even though the album was released in mid-September—just as the leaves were starting to turn—the song established itself as an essential fixture of late-year airwaves.

The Creative Force Behind the Song

Co-written by Jim Brickman alongside acclaimed Nashville songwriter Tom Douglas (who also penned hits for artists like Miranda Lambert and Lady Antebellum), “The Gift” stood out because of its unique framing.

While packaged on a Christmas album featuring traditional carols and seasonal instrumentals (alongside guest appearances by Kenny Loggins and Point of Grace), “The Gift” was intentionally written as a universal love song rather than a religious or strictly holiday-themed tune.

Brickman famously noted in interviews that he wanted to capture the feeling of winter and the holiday season, but anchor the lyrics in what truly matters: human relationships. The core message—that the greatest present in life is the person you love, not material goods—struck an immediate chord with listeners.

Star-Studded Collaboration: Collin Raye and Susan Ashton

A massive part of the song’s initial success came from its powerhouse vocal pairing. Brickman enlisted country star Collin Raye and contemporary Christian/pop singer Susan Ashton to share the lead vocals.

Rather than recording their vocal tracks separately—a standard industry practice at the time—Raye and Ashton famously stood in the studio together, sharing a single microphone. That intimate, in-the-room chemistry translated directly into the audio track, giving the duet a raw, conversational, and deeply emotional quality.

Chart Success and Legacy

The strategy paid off brilliantly. “The Gift” crossed over multiple radio formats, becoming a massive hit:

• It climbed to No. 3 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.
• It found substantial crossover success on the Hot Country Songs and main radio airplay charts.

Over the decades, the song transcended its 1997 origins. Stripped of heavy holiday tropes, it naturally evolved into a favorite choice for first dances at weddings, anniversary celebrations, and romantic playlists year-round. It has also inspired numerous international covers—including notable interpretations in the Philippines by artists like Piolo Pascual and a special duet rendition by Sarah Geronimo and Matteo Guidicelli alongside Brickman himself.