Those who love the holiday season can’t resist the timeless music that comes along with it, but many disagree on when it’s appropriate to start having yourself a merry little Christmas. John Legend managed to swing people into the Christmas spirit before November even hit with the release of his holiday album, “A Legendary Christmas,” Oct. 26.

In this day and age it takes an artist with mass prestige to release a successful holiday album, as the classic Yuletide staples making up Christmas albums have been done time and time again — and thank God for Legend’s prestige.

Legend put his best foot forward with the first track, a cover of “What Christmas Means to Me” with Stevie Wonder. It’s jazzy, it’s smooth and it sets a trending theme for the album as listeners discover none of its tracks stray from greatness.

In this album you will hear other classics such as “Silver Bells,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Merry Christmas Baby,” “Christmas Time Is Here,” “The Christmas Song,” “Purple Snowflakes,” “Merry Merry Christmas” and, a personal favorite, “Please Come Home for Christmas.”

Legend satisfied his renditions of these classics, differing them enough from the originals to communicate something new, but keeping them similar enough to allow listeners to enjoy the tradition. Even with the rewriting of the tune and structure of these songs, it is solely John Legend’s voice that makes them distinguished.

Of the 14 tracks on the album, five are originals from Legend.

“Bring Me Love,” “Waiting for Christmas” and “By Christmas Eve” will likely gain annual popularity on the radio as Legend’s distinct, smooth voice carries the tunes gracefully.

“Wrap Me Up in Your Love” and “No Place Like Home” will merely gain annual popularity in shopping malls as they adopt a more prim sound  — but note I still claim annual popularity, as it would be hard to leave any work of John Legend behind.

In addition to the album, John Legend and his wife Chrissy Teigen will host an hour-long NBC Christmas special, “A Legendary Christmas with John and Chrissy,” at 10 p.m. CT  Nov. 28.

A Legendary Christmas Tour will be Nov. 15 - Dec. 30. For ticket information, visit johnlegend.com/legendaryxmas/.

“A Legendary Christmas” is now streaming on Apple Music and Spotify.