Merry Christmas

Album

Lockdown Sessions, The

Label

Asylum Records

Genre

Christmas

Composer(s)

Ed Sheeran;Elton John;Steve McCutcheon

Entered Chart

Dec 18, 2021

Peak Date

Jan 3, 2026

Released

3 December 2021

Recorded

Unknown

Catalog #

Asylum Records

B-Side

n/a

"Merry Christmas" finds Ed Sheeran and Elton John coming together to spread some festive cheer. The pair celebrate spending the holiday season with their loved ones after a tough year. Ed Sheeran and Elton John throw in a Santa sackful of Christmas clichés, including December snow, kissing under the mistletoe, and Christmas trees. Both artists have past form with landing a Yuletide hit: John's 1973 song "Step Into Christmas" is a festive staple, and Sheeran claimed 2017's Christmas #1 with the not-so-Christmassy "Perfect." John asked Sheeran to do a Christmas duet with him after marveling at the perennial success of "Step Into Christmas." "Elton rang me on Christmas Day to say Merry Christmas. Elton rings me almost every single day," Sheeran told Dutch radio station NPO Radio 2. "He said, 'Step Into Christmas is #6 in the charts! I want to do another Christmas song – will you do it with me?" When John pitched his idea in late 2020, initially Sheeran was cool, but he eventually gave in. "I said to Elton, I was like, 'I don't really want to do a Christmas song unless we're going in. Unless it's like sleigh bells, ding-dong - yeah, it needs to be a proper Christmas song,'" he told Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show. Sheeran wrote a chorus that same day. Later, he went to stay with John, and they cranked out three festive songs, one of which was "Merry Christmas." Regular Sheeran collaborator Steve Mac ("Shape Of You," "Shivers") produced the track. Many of us annually send "Merry Christmas" wishes to friends and family via cards, social media, or in person. The phrase dates back to at least King Henry VIII's reign ("We Wish You a Merry Christmas" is a traditional English Christmas carol of unknown origin that is believed to date back to the 16th century). However, Sheeran and John's song has a surprisingly rare title. There's "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," "Merry Christmas Baby," "Merry Christmas Darling," "Merry Christmas Everybody," "Merry Christmas Everyone," and even "Text Me Merry Christm

Build a fire and gather 'round the tree
Fill a glass and maybe come and sing with me

So kiss me under the mistletoe
Pour out the wine, let's toast and pray for December snow
I know there's been pain this year, but it's time to let it go
Next year, you never know
But for now, Merry Christmas

We'll dance in the kitchen while embers glow
We've both known love, but this love we got is the best of all
I wish you could see it through my eyes then you would know
My God, you look beautiful right now
Merry Christmas

The fire is raging on
And we'll all sing along to the song
Just having so much fun
While we're here, can we all spare a thought
For the ones who have gone?
Merry Christmas, everyone

(Ah ah ah ah)
(Ah ah ah ah)

So just keep kissing me under the mistletoe
Pour out the wine, let's toast and pray for December snow
I know there's been pain this year, but it's time to let it go
Next year, you never know
But for now, Merry Christmas

We'll dance in the kitchen while embers glow
We've both known love, but this love we got is the best of all
I wish you could see it through my eyes then you would know
My God, you look beautiful right now
Merry Christmas

I feel it when it comes
Every year, helping us carry on
Filled up with so much love
All the family and friends all together
Where we all belong
Merry Christmas, everyone

(Ah ah ah ah)
(Ah ah ah ah)
(Ah ah ah ah)
(Ah ah ah ah)

It's Christmas time for you and I
We'll have a good night and a merry Christmas
It's Christmas time for you and I
We'll have a good night and a merry Christmas
It's Christmas time for you and I
We'll have a good night and a merry Christmas
It's Christmas time for you and I
We'll have a good night and a merry Christmas time