Yes, my first memory of singing, in general, was of a Christmas song. And then listening to Christmas music was really the first music I was ever connected to.

Perri frames her musical origin story in the intimate, domestic setting of Christmas. The quote suggests that her earliest relationship to music was not through formal training or popular radio, but through seasonal songs that are communal, repetitive, and emotionally charged—music meant to be sung and shared. By calling Christmas music the “first music” she felt “connected to,” she emphasizes music as belonging and memory rather than mere sound. The remark also helps explain why holiday repertoire can feel foundational for many artists: it is often a child’s first encounter with melody, lyric, and the social ritual of singing.