Last year, Susan Boyle rose from obscurity to worldwide phenomenon via massive Internet exposure from her appearances on “Britain’s Got Talent.” 

Nobody could have predicted her unlikely level of success, not even Simon Cowell. I’m guessing not even Taylor Swift would have thought she’d be a contender against Boyle for having the best-selling album of 2009.

Boyle gave Swift a run for her storytelling money when Boyle’s “ I Dreamed A Dream” sold an astounding 3.1 million copies in just six weeks.

I’ll admit: One of those copies belongs to me. Yes, I’m a fan. I think Boyle was just what the music industry needed. She reminded us that you don’t have to be young, beautiful, perfect or even relevant to possess talent. You just need a chance to be heard.

Swift went on the have the best-selling album of 2009 with “Fearless,” which sold 3.2 million albums. Swift’s album came out the winter before and took 12 months to reach the peak. Boyle did it in just six weeks. Now who has a story to tell?

A year later, the two are at it again for the top of the album chart. Swift’s latest, “Speak Now,” debuted at No. 1 just over a month ago with sales of 1 million copies in its first week. That is something to be proud of, considering we live in a world where digital downloads are replacing actual CDs (I don’t condone this practice, by the way — get out there and buy a CD!).

Swift’s glory was short-lived, though. Boyle’s sophomore release, “The Gift,” toppled Swift to become the No. 1 album for a third straight week.

Boyle could become Swift’s arch-nemesis without even trying. “The Gift” is Boyle’s gift to Christmas music lovers. The album is deserving of the accolades it is receiving and perhaps the best new Christmas album from the last couple of years.

What made “I Dreamed A Dream” so impressive is witnessed again on “ The Gift.” She’s a natural. Her voice is spectacular, without all the hoopla. I find it to be sincere. The musical arrangements are also brilliant.

“The Gift” features several traditional Christmas songs, including “Do You Hear What I Hear?” with Amber Stassi, “The First Noel,” “O Holy Night,” “Away in a Manger,” and “O Come, All Ye Faithful.”  It also features her current single, “Perfect Day,” and includes covers of such classics as Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” (one of my all-time favorite songs) and Crowded House’s “Don’t Dream It’s Over.” 

“Auld Lang Syne” is usually reserved for bidding farewell to a year gone by, but for Boyle, she’ll cherish these times. She’s living her dream — what a gift.