Christmas Tree Farm Explained

Christmas Tree Farm
Type:single
Cover:Taylor Swift - Christmas Tree Farm.png
Alt:A young Taylor Swift on a snow covered farm, holding a white dog in her hands.
Artist:Taylor Swift
Written:December 1, 2019
Recorded:December 2–3, 2019
Studio:London Lane Studios (London)
Length:
  • 3:48
  • 3:52 (Old Timey version)
Label:Republic
Prev Title:Lover
Prev Year:2019
Next Title:The Man
Next Year:2020

"Christmas Tree Farm" is a Christmas song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. She produced it with the English musician Jimmy Napes. Swift wrote the song on December 1, 2019, inspired by her Christmas vacation, and released it five days later, on December 6. Opening with an orchestrated balladic intro, "Christmas Tree Farm" is a cheery uptempo pop song driven by swing drums, lush orchestral arrangements, jingle bells, choir harmonies, and lyrics on childhood memories of Christmas.

The single charted within the top 30 in Belgium, Croatia, Hungary, and Scotland. Critics praised the song's festive production and lyrics. An official music video, a compilation of home videos that capture Swift's childhood days from the Christmas tree farm in Pennsylvania she grew up on, was also released alongside the song. The video features herself, her brother Austin Swift, and their parents. Swift performed the song live at the 2019 Capital FM Jingle Bell Ball in London and iHeartRadio Jingle Ball in New York City; the live version from the latter was released to digital music platforms in November 2020, followed by picture discs of the song. An "Old Timey Version" of the song, in which the orchestral accompaniment is more emphasized with rerecorded vocals, has also been released.

Production and release

Having grown up in Pine Ridge Farm, her family's Christmas tree farm in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, Swift expressed her love for the holiday season and that she wishes "it was all year round". She stated that she helped her dad manage the farm during her childhood and that the environment influenced her affection for the season. Swift revisited the farm in July 2018 and said that she felt particularly emotional upon entering her childhood bedroom.[1] [2] She referenced the farm in the music video for her single "Me!" (2019). Inspired by the holiday season of 2019, "Christmas Tree Farm" was written, recorded, and released by Taylor Swift in under six days.[3] She wrote the song during Thanksgiving weekend, and recorded it on December 1, 2019, the Sunday before its release, with English producer Jimmy Napes at London Lane Studios, United Kingdom.[4] The day after that, a group of choral singers provided the finishing touches.[5] The song was announced on Good Morning America on December 5, 2019, and released at midnight the same day, along with an accompanying music video made from home videos.[6] [7] "Christmas Tree Farm" marked the first original Christmas song in her discography.[8]

On November 22, 2021, Swift announced a re-recorded "Old Timey Version" of the track on Good Morning America.[9] The song was released that same day as an Amazon Music exclusive,[10] and was sent to contemporary hit radio on November 29, 2021; it was later released to all streaming platforms on November 23, 2022.[11] Featuring a new arrangement and a 70-piece orchestra, the re-recorded version was produced by Napes, arranged by Simon Hale, and recorded by Chris Bolster at Abbey Road Studios with assistance from Neil Dawes and Daniel Hayden.[12] A collection containing the original song, the "Old Timey Version", and the live performance at iHeartRadio's 2019 Jingle Ball was released in November 2024.[13]

Cover artwork

The cover artwork for the track features a photo of a young Swift smiling while she holds her pet dog, taken at Pine Ridge Farm. The song's title and her name are written in a garland-style that resembled a friendship bracelet.[14]

Composition

"Christmas Tree Farm" is an uptempo pop song. Swift wrote the song alone and produced it with Napes. The song runs for a duration of three minutes and forty-eight seconds. The song has two parts. The intro starts at a slower, ballad-like tempo, and goes through a series of time signatures in, and . After this, the main part of the song begins, and takes on the uptempo swing feel in common time. Swift performs it in the key of G major with her vocals ranging between D to G.[15] The lyrics are centered around the Christmas spirit, romance, family and nostalgia, especially Swift's years growing up at her father's Christmas tree farm as a child.

Critical reception

"Christmas Tree Farm" received positive reviews upon release. Varietys Chris Willman labeled the song "homey and hearth-y", with heavy orchestration and rich production, resulting in "maximum holiday glee".[4] Alyssa Bailey of Elle described it an infectious pop song, but still a personal holiday track, with "jolly" and romantic lyrics.[16] Writing for Elite Daily, Michel Mendez complimented Swift's songwriting, stating she is "one heck of a songwriter" and that the lyrics to the song "will make anyone feel nostalgic for holidays spent at home with family".[17] Describing the song as romantic and nostalgic, Eric Hegedus of New York Post, opined that the "breezy" single serves as a enthusiastic love letter to a "soul mate who brings a sense of yearning to her [Swift's] heart."[18]

Cosmopolitan picked "Christmas Tree Farm" as one of the 75 best Christmas songs of all time.[19] American Songwriter ranked it at number one on its list of the five best underrated Christmas songs.[20]

Commercial performance

In the United States, "Christmas Tree Farm" accumulated 7.7 million streams in its opening week. The song debuted at number two on the Billboard Digital Songs chart with 26,000 digital downloads sold. It was her 49th top-ten entry on the chart, an all-time record. It further arrived at number 59 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming Swift's 96th entry on the chart, which is the second highest tally for a female artist in the Hot 100 history, behind rapper Nicki Minaj; Swift surpassed Minaj eventually.[21] It also debuted at number 25[22] and peaked at number three on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.

Elsewhere, the single landed at number 13 in Croatia, number 16 in Scotland, number 23 in Flanders, number 29 in Hungary, number 51 on the Irish Singles Chart, number 55 on the Canadian Hot 100, number 71 in the United Kingdom, and number 49 in Australia.

Bolstered by the 2020 Christmas season, the song re-entered the UK Singles Chart at number 95 in December 2020.[23] "Christmas Tree Farm" also debuted at number 147 on the Billboard Global 200 chart, which was inaugurated in 2020.[24] Following the release of the Old Timey Version, the single saw a boost in popularity in the 2021 Christmas season, where the song reached a new peak on the UK Single Chart at number 44 in December 2021.[25]

Music video

The music video was directed and produced by Swift. The Christmas tree farm in the song title, on the cover art, and in the video is Pine Ridge Farm located in Cumru Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania, a place where Swift grew up as a child before moving to nearby Wyomissing, Pennsylvania and later Hendersonville, Tennessee. The video, which consists of home videos from Swift's childhood, features Swift, her brother Austin, and their parents Andrea and Scott.[26] A lyric video for the song was released alongside the song and the music video on December 6, 2019.[27] A video detailing the song's making was released on December 23.[28]

Live performances

Swift performed the song for the first time on December 8, 2019 as part of her set-list for the 2019 Jingle Bell Ball in London.[29] On December 13, Swift's birthday, she performed the song at iHeartRadio Z100's Jingle Ball in New York City.[30] This performance was recorded and released digitally on December 19, 2020.

Credits and personnel

Credits are adapted from Tidal.[31]

Charts

Chart (2019–2024)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[32] 49
Croatia (HRT)[33] 13
France (SNEP)[34] 96
Ireland (IRMA)[35] 51
Netherlands (Single Tip)[36] 1
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[37] 9
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[38] 83
Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)[39] 8
US Holiday 100 (Billboard)[40] 19
US Rolling Stone Top 100[41] 65
Chart (2021–2022)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[42] 84
US Holiday 100 (Billboard)[43] 46

Release history

Country! scope="col"
DateVersionFormatLabel
VariousDecember 6, 2019OriginalRepublic
November 27, 2020Picture disc[44]
December 19, 2020Live at the 2019 iHeart Radio Jingle Ball[45]
November 22, 2021Old Timey Version[46]
United StatesNovember 29, 2021[47]
VariousNovember 23, 2022[48]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Cortés . Michelle Santiago . December 6, 2019 . Everything You Need to Know About Taylor Swift's Christmas Tree Farm . . December 3, 2024 . December 8, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231208130640/https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2019/12/8979759/taylor-swift-pine-ridge-christmas-tree-farm-pa . live .
  2. Iasimone . Ashley . November 20, 2018 . All the Surprise Songs Taylor Swift Has Performed on Her Reputation Stadium Tour B-Stage . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240227045220/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/taylor-swift-reputation-tour-b-stage-songs-list-8458025/ . February 27, 2024 . September 28, 2024 . .
  3. Watch Taylor Swift's Childhood Videos in 'Christmas Tree Farm' Clip. Shaffer. Claire. Legaspi. Althea. Rolling Stone. December 6, 2019. December 10, 2019. December 8, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191208125420/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-christmas-tree-farm-922584/. live.
  4. Taylor Swift's 'Christmas Tree Farm' Video Is a VHS Wonderland. Willman. Chris. Variety. December 5, 2019. December 6, 2019. December 6, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191206074452/https://variety.com/2019/music/news/taylor-swift-video-christmas-tree-farm-1203426957/. live.
  5. Watch Taylor Swift Craft 'Christmas Tree Farm' in Behind-the-Scenes Video. Blistein. Jon. Rolling Stone. December 23, 2019. December 26, 2019. December 25, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191225142952/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/watch-taylor-swift-craft-christmas-tree-farm-in-behind-the-scenes-video-930754/. live.
  6. News: Taylor Swift to release Christmas song (at midnight!) and a music video 'made from home videos'. Moniuszko. Sara M.. December 5, 2019. USA Today. December 5, 2019. December 5, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191205140250/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2019/12/05/taylor-swift-christmas-song-music-video-dropping-good-morning-america/2617333001/. live.
  7. News: O'Connor. Roisin. December 5, 2019. Taylor Swift announces new festive song Christmas Tree Farm. The Independent. live. December 6, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191205141220/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/taylor-swift-christmas-tree-farm-lyrics-new-song-stream-release-time-video-a9234166.html. December 5, 2019.
  8. Rowley . Glenn . December 6, 2019 . 5 Times Taylor Swift Opened Up About Growing Up on a Christmas Tree Farm . December 3, 2024 . . July 3, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240703031844/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/christmas-tree-farm-taylor-swift-quotes-growing-up-8545619/ . live .
  9. News: Jones . Abby . November 22, 2021 . Taylor Swift Shares 'Christmas Tree Farm (Old Timey Version)': Stream . December 3, 2024 . . December 6, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211206032837/https://consequence.net/2021/11/taylor-swift-christmas-tree-farm-old-timey-version-stream/ . live .
  10. Web site: Taylor Swift Reimagines Her Recent Holiday Tune 'Christmas Tree Farm' With A More Orchestral Version. 22 November 2021. Uproxx. November 22, 2021. 21 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220121081802/https://uproxx.com/pop/taylor-swift-christmas-tree-farm-old-timey-version/. live.
  11. Web site: Taylor Swift Officially Releases 'Old Timey Version' Of This Holiday Track . November 23, 2022 . Gonzalez . Rebekah . November 13, 2024 . November 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221126131116/https://www.iheart.com/content/2022-11-23-taylor-swift-officially-releases-old-timey-version-of-this-holiday-track/ . live .
  12. Web site: November 26, 2021 . Get Ready for Christmas with a New Version of Taylor Swift's Christmas Tree Farm . December 3, 2024 . . Universal Music Group.
  13. News: Taylor Swift releases special 'Christmas Tree Farm' holiday collection . November 1, 2024 . November 13, 2024 . Thompson . Mary Pat . . digital syndication .
  14. Dailey . Hannah . November 26, 2024 . Billboard's Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century: No. 2 — Taylor Swift . December 3, 2024 . . December 2, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241202153737/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/taylor-swift-greatest-pop-stars-21st-century-1235839222/ . live .
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  16. Taylor Swift's "Christmas Tree Farm" Lyrics Are Personal, Jolly, And Romantic. Bailey. Alyssa. Elle. December 6, 2019. December 6, 2019. December 6, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191206111934/https://www.elle.com/culture/music/a30141188/taylor-swifts-christmas-tree-farm-lyrics-meaning/. live.
  17. Taylor Swift's "Christmas Tree Farm" Lyrics Will Make You Feel So Nostalgic. Mendez. Michel. Elite Daily. December 6, 2019. December 9, 2019. December 9, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191209105451/https://www.elitedaily.com/p/taylor-swifts-christmas-tree-farm-lyrics-will-make-you-feel-so-nostalgic-19429391. live.
  18. News: Taylor Swift drops 'Christmas Tree Farm' song as homage to childhood. Hegedus. Eric. December 6, 2019. New York Post. December 21, 2019. December 9, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191209190502/https://nypost.com/2019/12/06/taylor-swift-drops-christmas-tree-farm-song-as-homage-to-childhood/. live.
  19. Thompson. Eliza. Truong. Peggy. Newbould. Niko. October 14, 2021. These Are, Hands Down, the Best Christmas Songs of All Time. live. November 5, 2021. Cosmopolitan. https://web.archive.org/web/20161208012702/http://www.cosmopolitan.com:80/entertainment/music/a8471157/best-christmas-songs/ . December 8, 2016 .
  20. Hopper . Alex . December 24, 2022 . 5 Underrated Christmas Songs You Should Be Listening to This Holiday Season . December 24, 2022 . American Songwriter . December 24, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221224152405/https://americansongwriter.com/5-underrated-christmas-songs-you-should-be-listening-to-this-holiday-season/ . live .
  21. Trust. Gary. August 3, 2020. Taylor Swift Charts 16 Songs From 'Folklore' on Billboard Hot 100. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200803210736/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9428702/taylor-swift-charts-16-songs-from-folklore-on-hot-100. August 3, 2020. August 4, 2020. Billboard.
  22. Trust. Gary. December 18, 2019. Taylor Swift Plants 'Christmas Tree Farm' on Hot 100 & Adult Contemporary Chart. August 11, 2021. Billboard. December 18, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191218214550/https://www.billboard.com/amp/articles/business/chart-beat/8546678/taylor-swift-christmas-tree-farm-hot-100-adult-contemporary-charts. live.
  23. Web site: December 17, 2020. Official Singles Chart Top 100. live. August 11, 2021. Official Charts Company. https://web.archive.org/web/20210305141441/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20201211/7501/ . March 5, 2021 .
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  25. Web site: December 31, 2021. Official Singles Chart Top 100. live. December 31, 2021. Official Charts Company. https://web.archive.org/web/20211224163151/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20211231/7501/ . December 24, 2021 .
  26. Taylor Swift releases new song 'Christmas Tree Farm' with home video montage — watch now. Huff. Lauren. Entertainment Weekly. December 6, 2019. December 6, 2019. December 6, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191206060501/https://ew.com/music/2019/12/06/taylor-swift-christmas-tree-farm/. live.
  27. Web site: Taylor Swift - Christmas Tree Farm (Lyric Video). December 6, 2019. December 11, 2019. YouTube. November 18, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211118073412/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ozk8xq0Lp1g. live.
  28. Watch Taylor Swift Craft 'Christmas Tree Farm' in Behind-the-Scenes Video. Blistein. Jon. Rolling Stone. December 23, 2019. January 1, 2020. December 25, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191225142952/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/watch-taylor-swift-craft-christmas-tree-farm-in-behind-the-scenes-video-930754/. live.
  29. Taylor Swift Performs 'Christmas Tree Farm' Live for the First Time at Capital FM's Jingle Bell Ball: Watch. Iasimone. Ashley. Billboard. December 8, 2019. December 9, 2019. December 9, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191209120224/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8545722/taylor-swift-christmas-tree-farm-live-video-capital-fm-jingle-bell-ball. live.
  30. Web site: Taylor Swift Brings Holiday Cheer to Jingle Ball with "Christmas Tree Farm". Mastrogiannis. Nicole. iHeartRadio. December 14, 2019. December 14, 2019. December 14, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191214064048/https://www.iheart.com/content/2019-12-13-taylor-swift-brings-holiday-cheer-to-jingle-ball-with-christmas-tree-farm/. live.
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  36. Web site: Taylor Swift – Christmas Tree Farm. MegaCharts. nl. December 30, 2023. December 29, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231229232904/https://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Taylor%20Swift&titel=Christmas%20Tree%20Farm&cat=s. live.
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  40. Taylor Swift Chart History (Holiday 100) . . December 5, 2021 . May 9, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200509075739/https://www.billboard.com/music/taylor-swift/chart-history/HSX . live .
  41. Top 100 Songs. Rolling Stone. December 6, 2019. December 23, 2019. December 14, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191214232301/https://www.rollingstone.com/charts/songs/2019-12-06/. live.
  42. Web site: Veckolista Singlar, vecka 52, 2023. Sverigetopplistan. December 30, 2023. December 29, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231229143849/https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/41?dspy=2023&dspp=52. live.
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  44. Web site: christmas tree farm picture disc. November 27, 2020. Taylor Swift Official Store. November 27, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201127144429/https://store.taylorswift.com/products/christmas-tree-farm-picture-disc. live.
  45. Web site: Christmas Tree Farm (Recorded Live at the 2019 iHeartRadio Jingle Ball) - Single by Taylor Swift on Apple Music. December 19, 2020. Apple Music. December 19, 2020. December 19, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201219050945/https://music.apple.com/us/album/christmas-tree-farm-recorded-live-at-2019-iheartradio/1545481690. live.
  46. Web site: Christmas Tree Farm (Old Timey Version) (Amazon Original). November 22, 2021. music.amazon.com. December 16, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211216090244/https://music.amazon.com/albums/B09M47VJ4R. live.
  47. Web site: Hot/Modern/AC Cool New Music. All Access Music Group. limited. March 24, 2022. December 6, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161206184453/http://www.allaccess.com/hot-modern-ac/cool-new-music. live. Type "Taylor Swift" in the Search field.
  48. Web site: Christmas Tree Farm (Old Timey Version) - Single by Taylor Swift on Apple Music. November 23, 2022. Apple Music. November 23, 2022. November 23, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221123082454/https://music.apple.com/us/album/christmas-tree-farm-old-timey-version-single/1655423771. live.

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