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Santa, Can't You Hear Me

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"Santa, Can't You Hear Me"
Single by Kelly Clarkson and Ariana Grande
from the album When Christmas Comes Around...
ReleasedDecember 9, 2022 (2022-12-09)
Recorded2021
Genre
Length4:02
LabelAtlantic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Jason Halbert
Kelly Clarkson singles chronology
"9 to 5[1]"
(2022)
"Santa, Can't You Hear Me"
(2022)
"Mine" / "Me"
(2023)
Ariana Grande singles chronology
"It Was a... (Masked Christmas)"
(2021)
"Santa, Can't You Hear Me"
(2022)
"Die for You" (remix)
(2023)

"Santa, Can't You Hear Me" is a duet by American singers Kelly Clarkson and Ariana Grande. It is the second single from Clarkson's ninth studio album and second Christmas album, When Christmas Comes Around... (2021). The song was written by Clarkson with Aben Eubanks, with the song's track recording was produced by Jason Halbert.[2]

Release and reception

[edit]

"Santa, Can't You Hear Me" was written by Clarkson with Aben Eubanks and produced by Jason Halbert.[3] Following filming the 21st season of the American reality television series The Voice, Clarkson invited Grande to record the track with her.[4] "Santa, Can't You Hear Me" was released by Atlantic Records on October 15, 2021, the day of the album's release.[5] An uptempo big band pop Christmas anthem, the song lyrics sing of an appeal to Santa Claus. Instead of material gifts, the singers ask for answers on how they can achieve their outmost desire for Christmas, which is love.[6][7][8]

Reception

[edit]

Upon its release, Randee Dawn of Today remarked that the song is exactly what one might expect from the singers, writing that it "bounces off each other with full-throated harmonies and high notes alike" and ends with a "big band-sounding flourish that will leave one's heart pounding for more.[7] Reviewing the album for Vulture, Justin Curto highlighted the track as sounding as big as one would expect it to be.[9]

In her review of the track on iHeartRadio, Ariel King wrote that the song proves both the singers' talent and what makes them such "incredible powerhouses" is how they perfectly blend their vocals for "a captivating listen".[10] A.D. Amorosi of Variety wrote that the live version of the song sounds "more lustrous than its studio version", thanks to Clarkson "edgy alto" and Grande "flitting, breezy voice for a surprisingly (for holiday music) improvisational vibe".[11]

Glamour UK listed the song as one of the "Best Christmas Songs Ever".[12] Cosmopolitan listed the song on the best "50 Modern Christmas Songs".[13]

Live performances

[edit]

On December 1, 2021, the two singers performed the song during Clarkson's When Christmas Comes Around Christmas special which premiered on NBC as promotion for the album.[14][15]

On December 13, 2022, Clarkson performed the song solo on the twenty-second season finale of The Voice.[16] On December 15, 2022, Clarkson performed the song solo on The Kelly Clarkson Show.[17] On November 30, 2023, Clarkson performed the song solo at the Rockefeller Centre Tree Lighting in New York City, broadcast on NBC.[citation needed]

Music video

[edit]

A music video was expected to be released.[volume & issue needed]

Personnel

[edit]

Credits lifted from When Christmas Comes Around... liner notes[18]

  • Vocals – Kelly Clarkson, Ariana Grande
  • Background vocals – Jessi Collins, Nayanna Holey, Tiffany Palmer, Brandon Winbush
  • Producer, keyboards, B3, programming – Jason Halbert
  • Engineers – John Hanes, Robert Venable, Tom Peltier, John DeNosky
  • Mastering engineer – Chris Gehringer
  • Bass – Kyle Whalum
  • Drums – Lester Estelle
  • Guitars – Aben Eubanks, Jaco Caraco, Luke Sullivant
  • Mixer – Serban Ghenea
  • Percussion – Ron Sorbo
  • Programming (additional) – Rachel Or
  • Orchestra arranger and conductor – Joseph Trapanese
  • Orchestra contractor – Gina Zimmitti, Witney Martin
  • Saxophone – Jesse McGinty
  • Trumpet – Mike Cordone, Ray Montiero
  • Trombone – Garrett Smith

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for "Santa, Can't You Hear Me"
Chart (2022–2024) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[19] 38
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[20] 32
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[21] 71
Canada AC (Billboard)[22] 8
Germany (GfK)[23] 30
Global 200 (Billboard)[24] 47
Greece International (IFPI)[25] 59
Ireland (IRMA)[26] 13
Lithuania (AGATA)[27] 59
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[28] 50
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[29] 37
Poland (Polish Streaming Top 100)[30] 84
South Korea (Gaon)[31] 165
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[32] 26
UK Singles (OCC)[33] 23
Ukraine Airplay (TopHit)[34] 76
US Billboard Hot 100[35] 76
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[36] 11
US Holiday 100 (Billboard)[37] 51

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications for "Santa, Can't You Hear Me"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[38] Silver 200,000

Sales streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
List of release dates, showing region, release format, catalog, and label
Region Date Format(s) Version Label Ref.
Various October 15, 2021 Streaming Original Atlantic [39]
December 2, 2022 Live [40]
December 9, 2022 Original [41][42][43]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Dolly Parton and Kelly Clarkson Drop New Version of Classic Hit '9 to 5'". September 9, 2022.
  2. ^ Legaspi, Althea (October 15, 2021). "Kelly Clarkson, Ariana Grande Capture Holiday Spirit in 'Santa, Can't You Hear Me'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  3. ^ Mamo, Heran (October 15, 2021). "Kelly Clarkson's 'When Christmas Comes Around...' Album Arrives With Festive Ariana Grande Duet: Listen". Billboard. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  4. ^ Kyle, Meredith (September 30, 2021). "Kelly Clarkson And Ariana Grande Look Back At Their 2013 Twitter Exchange And Preview Christmas Duet". Entertainment Tonight. Archived from the original on September 30, 2021. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  5. ^ Minsker, Evan (October 15, 2021). "Ariana Grande Joins Kelly Clarkson for New Christmas Song "Santa, Can't You Hear Me": Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  6. ^ Melo, Mikael (October 15, 2021). "New Music Friday: Adele, Coldplay, Kelly Clarkson, Young Thug & More". CFPL-FM. Archived from the original on December 7, 2021. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  7. ^ a b Dawn, Randee (October 19, 2021). "Christmas came early! Listen to Kelly Clarkson and Ariana Grande's new song". Today. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  8. ^ Wurtz, Gina (October 18, 2021). "The Voice: Kelly Clarkson & Ariana Grande Team Up For Christmas Duet". Screen Rant. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  9. ^ Curto, Justin (October 15, 2021). "Kelly Clarkson Declares It's Christmastime With When Christmas Comes Around..." Vulture. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  10. ^ King, Ariel (October 15, 2021). "Christmas Comes Early With Kelly Clarkson And Ariana Grande's New Single". iHeartRadio. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  11. ^ Amorosi, A. D. (December 15, 2023). "All I Want for Christmas Is New (Music): Holiday Refreshments From Alicia Keys, Phoebe Bridgers, Harry Connick Jr., David Byrne and More". Variety. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  12. ^ Ward, Fiona (December 25, 2023). "The best (and worst) Christmas songs of all time". Glamour UK. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  13. ^ Beck, Lia (October 25, 2023). "These Are the Best 50 Modern Christmas Songs to Add to Your Holiday Playlist". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  14. ^ Thaadeus, Shearmen (December 2, 2021). ""Kelly Clarkson Presents: When Christmas Comes Around" ratings". Archived from the original on December 2, 2021. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  15. ^ Dwortz, Mallory (December 1, 2021). "How to Watch "Kelly Clarkson Presents: When Christmas Comes Around"". MLive. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  16. ^ Kyle, Meredith B. (December 7, 2022). "Kelly Clarkson, Maluma, Kane Brown and More to Perform on 'The Voice' Season 22 Finale". Entertainment Tonight. CBS Studios Inc. and CBS Interactive Inc.
  17. ^ Rowley, Glenn (December 15, 2022). "Kelly Clarkson Makes a Plea to Santa With Her Latest Christmas Single for 'Kellyoke'". Billboard. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  18. ^ When Christmas Comes Around... (booklet). Kelly Clarkson. Atlantic Records. 2021. 864083-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  19. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. January 1, 2024. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  20. ^ "Kelly Clarkson & Ariana Grande – Santa, Can't You Hear Me" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  21. ^ "Kelly Clarkson Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  22. ^ "Kelly Clarkson Chart History (Canada AC)". Billboard. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  23. ^ "Kelly Clarkson & Ariana Grande – Santa, Can't You Hear Me" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  24. ^ "Kelly Clarkson Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  25. ^ "Official IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) - Week 52/2023". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on January 3, 2024. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  26. ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  27. ^ "2023 52-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. December 29, 2023. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  28. ^ "Kelly Clarkson & Ariana Grande – Santa, Can't You Hear Me" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  29. ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. January 1, 2024. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  30. ^ "OLiS – oficjalna lista sprzedaży – single w streamie" (Select week 22.12.2023–28.12.2023.) (in Polish). OLiS. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  31. ^ "Digital Chart – Week 52 of 2021". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  32. ^ "Kelly Clarkson & Ariana Grande – Santa, Can't You Hear Me". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
  33. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  34. ^ "Ukraine Airplay Chart for 2023-12-15." TopHit. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  35. ^ "Kelly Clarkson Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  36. ^ "Kelly Clarkson Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  37. ^ "Kelly Clarkson Chart History (Holiday 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  38. ^ "British single certifications – Kelly Clarkson & Ariana Grande – Santa Can't You Hear Me". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  39. ^ "Santa, Can't You Hear Me by Kelly Clarkson and Ariana Grande". Spotify. October 15, 2021. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  40. ^ Dailey, Hannah (December 2, 2022). "Ariana Grande, Kelly Clarkson Drop 'Santa, Can't You Hear Me' Live Version – Billboard". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 2, 2022. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  41. ^ "Santa, Can't You Hear Me (feat. Ariana Grande) Cassette | Kelly Clarkson Official Store". kellyclarksonmerch.com. Archived from the original on October 28, 2022.
  42. ^ "Santa, Can't You Hear Me (feat. Ariana Grande) CD | Kelly Clarkson Official Store". kellyclarksonmerch.com. Archived from the original on November 3, 2022.
  43. ^ "Santa, Can't You Hear Me (feat. Ariana Grande) Flexi Disc | Kelly Clarkson Official Store". kellyclarksonmerch.com. Archived from the original on October 28, 2022.