Joy to the World is the twenty-sixth solo studio album by American country singer Connie Smith.

In the 1970s, Connie Smith moved from RCA Victor to Columbia Records after 18 top ten Billboard country singles.

She had discovered Christianity during this period, which prompted Columbia to let her record one gospel album per year.

No gospel collection was issued by Columbia in 1974 due to the label's lack of interest and Smith's unexpected time devoted to her pregnancy.

In her initial contract with Columbia, executive Clive Davis noted that Smith would have the opportunity to record one Christmas collection.

All three sessions were produced by Ray Baker, who had recorded Smith's previous three studio albums at Columbia.

Another chosen track was "Sweet Little Jesus Boy", which was notably done by gospel performer, Mahalia Jackson.

She initially wanted to record "Little Drummer Boy" in the ballad style of a similar version cut by Ray Price.

All credits are adapted from the liner notes of Joy to the World[10] and the biography booklet by Barry Mazor titled The Latest Shade of Blue.