Christmas Saves the Year explained

Christmas Saves the Year
Cover:Twenty One Pilots Christmas Saves The Year Art.jpeg
Alt:Single art for the song.
Type:single
Artist:Twenty One Pilots
Recorded:2020
Length:3:32
Label:Fueled by Ramen
Producer:
  • Tyler Joseph
Prev Title:Level of Concern
Prev Year:2020
Next Title:Shy Away
Next Year:2021

"Christmas Saves the Year" is a Christmas single by American musical duo Twenty One Pilots, released on December 8, 2020, through Fueled by Ramen. Written and recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic, the song expresses the idea that even in a turbulent year, optimism can still be found in Christmas.

Background

"Christmas Saves the Year" was written, composed and recorded in lead singer Tyler Joseph's home studio.[1] Twenty One Pilots debuted the track at the end of a Twitch stream in which lead singer Tyler Joseph played in the Chipotle Challenger Fortnite series tournament to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation,[2] [3] [4] after having teased "a gift" for the viewers of the stream.[5]

Originally reluctant to write a Christmas song, Joseph was inspired as he was "experiencing Christmas through a little girl's perspective", in reference to his eldest daughter, Rosie. The sound of the track was inspired by a musical instrument called the Mellotron.[6]

Composition

"Christmas Saves the Year" is a lo-fi Christmas song. Joseph wrote the song from the perspective of his "friends who live in some bigger cities that have these small apartments", and are "trying to weigh the options of whether or not they should see their family this year."

Music video

Following the end of frontman Tyler Joseph's Twitch stream, the song and its visualizer video were released and made available on music-streaming services, and a premiere for the video was placed onto YouTube. The video was directed and animated by Johnny Chew.[7] [8] An official music video for the song was released on December 8, 2021, one year after the song was released, and heavily utilizes claymation. It was directed and animated by Mr. Oz.

Joseph's wife Jenna posted an unofficial music video to her Instagram account on January 15, 2021, showcasing Rosie in the family home.

Notes and References

  1. twentyonepilots . 1336497936658731010 . December 9, 2020 . an original twenty one pilots christmas song written and recorded in tyler's home studio. from us to you, merry christmas.
  2. Web site: Rose . Anna . December 9, 2020 . Twenty One Pilots release holiday single, 'Christmas Saves The Year' . December 9, 2020 . NME.
  3. Web site: Campbell. Rachel. December 9, 2020. Hear twenty one pilots' surprise holiday song "Christmas Saves The Year". December 9, 2020. Alternative Press.
  4. Web site: Patterson . Calum . December 4, 2020 . Chipotle Challenger Series 2020: Everything You Need to Know . December 9, 2020 . Dexerto.
  5. Web site: Dowd. Rachael. December 8, 2020. See why fans think new music from twenty one pilots is arriving soon. December 9, 2020. Alternative Press. en-US.
  6. Web site: Tyler Joseph Interview with Zane Lowe - CSTY (12.9.20) - YouTube. December 28, 2020. www.youtube.com.
  7. Web site: Brayden . Kate . December 10, 2020 . Twenty One Pilots share festive new single 'Christmas Saves The Year' . December 13, 2020 . Hotpress.
  8. Web site: December 9, 2020 . Twenty One Pilots Release Holiday Single . December 13, 2020 . Vermilion County First.
  9. Twenty One Pilots Chart History (Holiday Digital Song Sales) . January 28, 2020 . .