Elton John and CMAT have entered the race for No.1 over the Christmas period.
Amazon Music has unveiled a reimagined version of Elton John’s festive classic Step into Christmas with Ivor Novello award winner CMAT. The single is out now exclusively on Amazon Music.
The latest in the series of exclusive tracks on Amazon Music follows last year’s XMAS (Rhino) by Kylie Minogue, which became the first Christmas No.1 for the streaming service.
Following its release in 1973, Elton John’s Step Into Christmas has become an enduring festive classic. The reimagined version, released via EMI and AWAL, features the audio stems from the original recording with added strings and vocals from CMAT.
Step Into Christmas peaked at No.7 in the singles chart last year. Elton John did score a Christmas No.1 with Ladbaby and Ed Sheeran on Sausage Rolls For Everyone in 2021. John and Sheeran also reached No.1 with Merry Christmas in mid-December of 2021.
BRIT-nominated Irish singer-songwriter CMAT peaked at No.2 last year with the Euro-Country album.
Elton John said of the collaboration: “I've loved CMAT since I first heard her and saw her videos years ago. She has this incredible personality, and a wicked sense of humour. You can tell she has rock ’n’ roll and country and Americana at the heart of what she does – we're kindred spirits in so many ways. And that's why I was so thrilled with the idea of us collaborating on Step Into Christmas. She's done an amazing job.”
CMAT added: “When I listen to the music of Elton John, I am seven years old in the back of my mam’s car. It doesn’t matter how old or famous I become – whenever I listen to Elton John I will always be seven years old in the back of my mam’s car. Reconciling this feeling with the reality of getting to work with the man in question has been confusing to say the least, but the greatest joy of my life.
“Christmas is my absolute favourite thing in the world, second maybe only to Elton John. I would like to invite the whole world to step into Christmas with us and make your yuletide dreams come true.”
This new version honours everything people love about the original while bringing something fresh and joyful for a whole new generation of fans
Laura Lukanz
Laura Lukanz, head of Amazon Music UK, said: “Step Into Christmas is one of those songs that instantly transports you – it has soundtracked the festive season for generations and holds a special place in people's hearts. To have the opportunity to reimagine such a beloved, iconic track, and to do it with two artists as extraordinary as Elton John and CMAT, makes it truly magical.
“Their chemistry is undeniable, and this new version honours everything people love about the original while bringing something fresh and joyful for a whole new generation of fans. We couldn't be prouder to share it exclusively with Amazon Music listeners this Christmas."
Step Into Christmas will face competition from classic catalogue tracks as well as new releases from Sam Fender and Olivia Rodrigo.
Previous Amazon Music Originals include Taylor Swift's Christmas Tree Farm, Katy Perry's platinum-certified Cozy Little Christmas, John Legend's gold-certified Happy Xmas (War Is Over), Olivia Dean’s The Christmas Song, Sam Ryder’s BRIT-nominated You’re Christmas To Me and Tom Grennan’s It Can’t Be Christmas, which hit No.2 in the UK charts in 2024.
Amazon Music Original festive tracks appear on the ‘Merry Mix’ playlist.
PHOTO: Ben Gibson
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