For many years, I've wanted to do one, and I've always mentioned

The soft glow of the café's lights filled the room, the atmosphere cozy as the rain outside tapped gently against the window. Jack sat back in his chair, a slight smile playing on his lips as he stared out at the rainy streets. Jeeny, across from him, was quietly absorbed in her thoughts, her coffee cup cradled in her hands. There was a sense of stillness between them, as if they were waiting for something to shift.

Host: The quiet hum of the café around them seemed to fade as Jeeny finally spoke, her voice soft yet carrying a weight that tugged at something inside.

Jeeny: “I was thinking about something I read earlier, a quote by Aretha Franklin. She said, ‘For many years, I’ve wanted to do one, and I’ve always mentioned it to the chieftains, and they would say things like, “Oh well. Christmas albums don’t sell,” and things like that. But that’s not the point. Christmas albums are important. The music is important. The season is important.’ Do you think that’s true? Is music like that, something that can be bigger than sales or popularity?”

Jack: He leaned forward slightly, a small chuckle escaping him. “That sounds like Aretha. She never worried about what was popular—she worried about what mattered. I get the point, though. Music, especially something like a Christmas album, is more than just about selling copies. It’s about creating something that resonates, something that speaks to people and captures the essence of a moment, like the holiday season.”

Jeeny: Her eyes softened, and she nodded. “Exactly. Music is more than just a product. It’s about the feeling it evokes, the memories it creates, the connections it fosters. The Christmas season, in particular, is about more than the commercial side. It’s about family, tradition, and sharing. And music, especially holiday music, becomes a part of that—helping us hold on to what’s most meaningful.”

Host: The quiet of the café seemed to settle deeper as Jeeny’s words settled between them. Jack’s fingers rested on the edge of his coffee cup as his gaze turned inward, reflecting on what she said.

Jack: “I guess in a world where everything seems to be about numbers and sales, it’s easy to forget that some things, like Christmas music, aren’t meant to be about how much money they make. It’s about the experience, the warmth it brings when you hear those familiar songs. People might not buy Christmas albums like they used to, but that doesn’t make them any less important.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. Some things don’t have to make a profit to matter. The music captures the spirit of the season—it transcends trends or sales. It’s about keeping tradition alive, about creating an atmosphere that people connect with, year after year. And that’s what makes it meaningful, even if it doesn’t fit the commercial mold.”

Host: The room around them seemed to grow a little quieter, as if their conversation had created a space of reflection. Jack took a long sip of his coffee, his thoughts clearly turning over her words.

Jack: “It’s easy to forget that. In a world that’s always pushing for more, for bigger, for faster, sometimes it’s the things that don’t sell as much that carry the most meaning. Music that’s meant to connect with us, to remind us of what’s important, doesn’t need to be a chart-topper to do its job.”

Jeeny: She smiled softly, her voice calm and steady. “Exactly. It’s not about the numbers or the commercial side—it’s about what the music represents. The season, the memories, the emotions. Some things are too important to measure by sales.”

Host: Outside, the rain had softened, leaving only a quiet drizzle against the window. The conversation between them lingered, a shared understanding that some things—like music, traditions, and holidays—are far more than just products to be consumed. They are moments to be felt, experienced, and shared. Jack leaned back in his chair, a quiet realization dawning on him.

Jack: “I guess Aretha was right. Some things, like Christmas music, don’t need to be about making money. They’re important because of what they mean to us, not because of how much they sell.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. And that’s the beauty of it—the lasting power of something that’s made with meaning, not just for profit. It’s the heart behind it that makes it so much more than just a product.”

Host: The café felt a little warmer now, the soft hum of life around them continuing on. Jack and Jeeny sat in quiet reflection, understanding that some things, like music and tradition, transcend the need for validation through numbers. They are important because they connect us, year after year, to something greater than ourselves.