DJ Play a Christmas Song explained

DJ Play a Christmas Song
Cover:Cher DJ Play a Christmas Song cover.png
Type:single
Artist:Cher
Album:Christmas
Released:October 6, 2023
Genre:
Length:3:29
Label:Warner
Producer:Mark Taylor
Prev Title:Walls
Prev Year:2021

"DJ Play a Christmas Song" is a song by American singer and actress Cher, released as the lead single of her 2023 album Christmas. The song was digitally released on October 6, 2023, by Warner. It was produced by Mark Taylor, with lyrics written by Sarah Hudson, Jessie Saint John, Brett McLaughlin, James Abrahart, Mark Schick and Lionel Crasta.[1] It became Cher's first entry on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 21 years, peaking at number 90 on the chart.[2] It also was number-one on both the US Billboard Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales and Adult Contemporary charts, making Cher the only solo artist to have a number-one song on at least one of the charts in each of the past seven decades.

Composition

The song is performed in the key of G major with a tempo of 134 beats per minute in common time. It follows a chord progression of G – Bm – C – D, with a key change to A major for the last two choruses. Cher's vocals span from G3 to C5 in the song.[3] Cher once again applies Auto-Tuning to her vocals as she had previously done and made famous on her 1998 hit song, "Believe".[4]

Promotion and performances

Cher debuted "DJ Play a Christmas Song" on October 3, 2023, at Silencio nightclub in Paris, performing at a private event hosted by Rabanne and H&M.[5] She later performed the song during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 23, 2023.[6] Cher performed "DJ Play a Christmas Song" on the German TV show Wetten, dass..? on November 25, 2023. She taped her performance for the 91st annual Christmas in Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting on November 19, 2023, and it aired on NBC on November 29, 2023. On December 1, 2023, Cher appeared on The Graham Norton Show, being interviewed and performing the single.[7] [8] She performed the song on the finale of Strictly Come Dancing on December 16, 2023.[9] Cher also performed the song for the iHeartRadio's Jingle Ball on December 8, 2023 at Madison Square Garden.[10] [11]

Critical reception

The song received a positive review by Attitudes Jamie Tabberer, who gave the song four out of five stars, calling it a "cut-glass powerhouse pop-dance banger."[12]

Commercial performance

"DJ Play a Christmas Song" debuted at number 94 on the US Billboard Hot 100 on the chart dated December 30, 2023, becoming Cher's first entry on the Hot 100 since "Song for the Lonely" in May 2002.[13] It rose to number 90 the following week. The song entered the US Billboard Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales chart at number three,[14] becoming her highest-peaking song on that chart.[15] Weeks later, it climbed to number one, making Cher the only solo artist to have had a number-one song on at least one Billboard chart in each of the past seven decades.[16] The song also topped the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, making it her first single since "If I Could Turn Back Time" to top the chart[17] and spending four consecutive weeks at the top.

In the UK, the song peaked at number 18 on the Official Singles Chart; the song was Cher's first single to reach the Top 20 since 2001's "The Music's No Good Without You". Additionally, Cher became the oldest female artist to have a top-40 hit with new material, as well as being the only solo artist to have a top-40 hit in the UK in seven consecutive decades.[18] [19]

In Germany, the song entered the German Singles chart at number 92, and rose to number 62 the following week.[20] In Australia it entered the ARIA Singles Chart at number 45.[21]

Track listing

Digital download and streaming – Single[22]

  1. "DJ Play a Christmas Song" – 3:29

Digital download and streaming – DJ Mixes[23]

  1. "DJ Play a Christmas Song" (Robin Schulz Remix) – 3:30
  2. "DJ Play a Christmas Song" (Chrome Tapes) – 5:10
  3. "DJ Play a Christmas Song" (Chrome Tapes Instrumental) – 5:10
  4. "DJ Play a Christmas Song" (7th Heaven Club Mix) – 6:41
  5. "DJ Play a Christmas Song" (7th Heaven Club Edit) – 3:47
  6. "DJ Play a Christmas Song" (Guy Scheiman Remix) – 6:02
  7. "DJ Play a Christmas Song" (Extended) – 5:15
  8. "DJ Play a Christmas Song" (Extended Instrumental) – 5:15

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the liner notes of Christmas.[24]

Charts

Chart (2023–2024)!scope="col"
Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[25] 45
Croatia Airplay (HRT)[26] 34
Lebanon (Lebanese Top 20)[27] 9
Lithuania (AGATA)[28] 82
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[29] 39
Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)[30] 1
Sweden (DigiListan)[31] 9
US Holiday 100 (Billboard)[32] 82

Remix with Kelly Clarkson

DJ Play a Christmas Song
Type:single
Artist:Cher and Kelly Clarkson
Length:4:02
Label:Warner
Producer:Mark Taylor
Chronology:Cher
Prev Title:DJ Play a Christmas Song
Prev Year:2023
DJ Play a Christmas Song
Version:Remix with Kelly Clarkson
Year:2024
Next Title:DJ Play a Christmas Song
Next Version:Duet with Giovanni Zarrella
Next Year:2024

On November 8, 2024, a new version with Kelly Clarkson was released.[33]

Background

Prior to the remix's release, Clarkson first covered the song as part of her Kellyoke segement on her talk show on December 19, 2023.[34] Cher responded to Clarkson's rendition on her X account claiming that Clarkson had "aced it".[35]

Commercial performance

The remix with Clarkson entered the Billboard Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales at number three on November 23, 2024,[36] making it Clarkson's first entry on the chart.[37]

Track listing

Digital download and streaming – Single[38]

  1. "DJ Play a Christmas Song" – 4:02

Charts

Chart (2024)!scope="col"
Peak
position
US Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales (Billboard)3

Duet with Giovanni Zarrella

DJ Play a Christmas Song
Type:single
Artist:Cher and Giovanni Zarrella
Length:3:29
Label:Warner
Producer:Mark Taylor
Chronology:Cher
Prev Title:DJ Play a Christmas Song
Prev Version:Remix with Kelly Clarkson
Prev Year:2024
DJ Play a Christmas Song
Version:Duet with Giovanni Zarrella
Year:2024
Next Title:DJ Play a Christmas Song
Next Version:Duet with Belinda
Next Year:2024

On November 15, 2024, a new version with Giovanni Zarrella was released.[39] The song was released as a single to Italian radio stations the same day.[40]

Track listing

Digital download and streaming – Single

  1. "DJ Play a Christmas Song" – 3:29

Duet with Belinda

DJ Play a Christmas Song
Type:single
Artist:Cher and Belinda
Length:3:30
Label:Warner
Producer:Mark Taylor
Chronology:Cher
Prev Title:DJ Play a Christmas Song
Prev Version:Duet with Giovanni Zerrella
Prev Year:2024
DJ Play a Christmas Song
Version:Duet with Belinda
Year:2024

On November 29, 2024, Cher released a new duet version with Belinda.[41]

Track listing

Digital download and streaming – Single[41]

  1. "DJ Play a Christmas Song" – 3:30

Release history

Release dates and format(s) for "DJ Play a Christmas Song"
RegionDateFormatVersionLabel
VariousOctober 6, 2023OriginalWarner
December 1, 2023DJ Mixes[42]
November 8, 2024Remix with Kelly Clarkson[43]
November 15, 2024Duet with Giovani Zarrella
ItalyRadio airplay
VariousNovember 29, 2024Duet with Belinda

Notes and References

  1. Cher Is Making Requests on Holiday Single 'DJ Play a Christmas Song'. October 6, 2023. Paul. Larisha. Rolling Stone. October 23, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231006153911/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/cher-holiday-album-single-dj-play-a-christmas-song-1234847962/. October 6, 2023. live.
  2. Cher Biography, Music & News . 2024-01-03 . Billboard . en-US.
  3. Web site: John . Abrahart Jr, James . John . Saint Geller, Jesse . Sarah . Hudson . Brett . Mclaughlin . Steven Mark . Schick . Lionel . Crasta . 2023-12-11 . DJ Play a Christmas Song . 2023-12-16 . Musicnotes.com . en.
  4. Cher on Making Her First Holiday Record: 'I Had No Intention of Doing a Christmas Album' (Exclusive). Newman. Melinda. 2023-10-06. Billboard. 2024-12-02. https://web.archive.org/web/20231006122009/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/cher-talks-first-holiday-album-christmas-1235435413/amp/. 2023-10-06. live.
  5. Web site: H&M announce Rabanne collaboration with blow-out Paris bash — and Cher. October 3, 2023. Bromley. Joe. Yahoo! Finance. October 23, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231026001746/https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/h-m-announce-rabanne-collaboration-123452762.html?guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9lbi53aWtpcGVkaWEub3JnLw&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAD7RmlAHOEnE1Xwq5u4NvpIMPhtpz6Ow19_QMeGekg8O4oa7dizU_CBtAFbPyPXQaPodc5DqwKd3N9P46Mh8XperO6gILAe3U7RF6JiPng1BEKia7tcfCwt-x8RMX-yWPpcTLlUiANQycY3wge8bTHFW7usg1SfL6CWHRBGQfK_s&_guc_consent_skip=1698279496. October 26, 2023. live.
  6. Atkinson . Katie . 2023-11-23 . Cher Takes Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade to the Disco With 'DJ Play a Christmas Song' & Flavor Flav Approves . 2023-11-23 . Billboard . en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20231123231502/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/cher-macys-thanksgiving-day-parade-dj-play-a-christmas-song-flavor-flav-1235510012/. 2023-11-23. live.
  7. Web site: Cher says she is the 'least diva-like person' and gives biopic update. The Standard. Roberts. Hannah. 1 December 2023. 5 December 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231201234103/https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/cher-diva-biopic-graham-norton-bbc-one-b1124158.html. 2023-12-01. live.
  8. Web site: Watch: Cher Rocks 'Graham Norton' with 'DJ Play a Christmas Song' As Holiday Hit Enjoys History-Making Hop to #1 on Billboard. That Grape Juice. 2 December 2023. 5 December 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231202130049/https://thatgrapejuice.net/2023/12/watch-cher-rocks-graham-norton-with-dj-play-christmas-song-as-holiday-hit-enjoys-history-making-hop-to-1-on-billboard/. 2023-12-02. live.
  9. Web site: One of the biggest popstars of all time confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing . 2023-12-05. Copson. Josie. metro.co.uk . en-uk. 2024-12-02. https://web.archive.org/web/20231205204521/https://metro.co.uk/2023/12/05/strictly-come-dancing-confirms-one-biggest-popstars-time-19926096/amp/. 2023-12-05. live.
  10. Web site: Cher Joins iHeartRadio Z100's Jingle Ball 2023 Presented by Capital One. iheartmedia.com. 2024-12-02. https://web.archive.org/web/20240418004428/https://www.iheartmedia.com/press/cher-joins-iheartradio-z100s-jingle-ball-2023-presented-capital-one. 2024-04-18. live.
  11. Cher Joins iHeartRadio's 2023 NYC Jingle Ball Roster — See the Full Lineup!. 2023-12-05. Richards. Bailey. 2024-12-02. People. en-us. https://web.archive.org/web/20231205203938/https://people.com/cher-joins-iheartradio-2023-nyc-jingle-ball-lineup-8410648. 2023-12-05. live.
  12. Web site: Cher's 'DJ Play a Christmas Song' single review: 'A pop-dance banger that rejects festive cliches'. October 6, 2023. Tabberer. Jamie. attitude. October 23, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231007111356/https://www.attitude.co.uk/culture/chers-dj-play-a-christmas-song-single-review-448941/. October 7, 2023. live.
  13. Meghan Trainor, Cher & Chloe Bring New Holiday Cheer to the Hot 100. Billboard. Trust. Gary. December 26, 2023. December 27, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231226192214/https://www.billboard.com/lists/meghan-trainor-cher-chloe-hot-100-new-holiday-hits/. 2023-12-26. live.
  14. Cher Chart History: Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales. Billboard. October 23, 2023.
  15. Cher Scores The Biggest Hit Of Her Career On One Billboard Chart This Week. October 20, 2023. McIntyre. Hugh. Forbes. October 23, 2023. https://archive.today/20231026002634/https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2023/10/20/cher-scores-the-biggest-hit-of-her-career-on-one-billboard-chart-this-week/?sh=601076fb6f50. October 26, 2023. live.
  16. Cher Has Now Charted A No. 1 Hit In Seven Different Decades . 2024-01-05 . McIntyre. Hugh. 2023-12-01. Forbes . en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20231201164426/https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2023/12/01/cher-has-now-charted-a-no-1-hit-in-seven-different-decades/. 2023-12-01. live.
  17. Cher's 'DJ Play a Christmas Song' Dashes to No. 1 on Adult Contemporary Chart. Trust. Gary. 2023-12-01. Billboard. 2024-11-25. http://web.archive.org/web/20231202060648/https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/cher-dj-play-a-christmas-song-number-one-adult-contemporary-chart-1235520898/amp/. 2023-12-02. live.
  18. Web site: Cher Chart History. Official Charts. 16 December 2023.
  19. Web site: Cher breaks all-time UK chart record with DJ Play a Christmas Song. Official Charts. 23 December 2023.
  20. Web site: Offizielle Deutsche Charts - Offizielle Deutsche Charts . 2023-12-29 . www.offiziellecharts.de.
  21. Web site: January 1, 2024 . ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart . December 29, 2023 . Australian Recording Industry Association.
  22. Web site: DJ Play A Christmas Song - Single - Album by Cher . Apple Music (US) . en-US. 6 October 2023 . 7 November 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20231025180235/https://music.apple.com/us/song/dj-play-a-christmas-song/1707634094. 2023-10-25. dead.
  23. Web site: January 12, 2024 . DJ Play a Christmas Song (DJ Mixes) by Cher . January 26, 2024 . Apple Music (US) .
  24. Christmas. Cher. liner notes. 2023. Warner Records. Warner Records. 093624851196.
  25. Web site: australian-charts.com - Cher - DJ Play A Christmas Song . 2024-05-31 . australian-charts.com.
  26. Web site: ARC 100 - Week 1 (01.01.2024.). 1 January 2024 . HRT. 2 January 2024. 2 January 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240102200549/https://www.top-lista.hr/www/airplay-radio-chart-top40-1-tjedan-01-01-2024/. live.
  27. Web site: OLT20 – Combined Chart – Week of Sunday December 31st, 2023. The Official Lebanese Top 20. 31 December 2023. 25 January 2024.
  28. Web site: 2023 52-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100). AGATA. lt. December 29, 2023. December 29, 2023.
  29. Web site: NZ Top 40 Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. January 1, 2024. December 29, 2023.
  30. Web site: Veckolista Heatseeker. Sverigetopplistan. December 29, 2023. December 29, 2023.
  31. Web site: Swedish Digital Chart . . Swedish . 29 December 2023 . 21 October 2024.
  32. Cher Chart History (Holiday 100) . . December 27, 2023.
  33. Web site: Apple Music (NZ) . November 8, 2024 . DJ Play A Christmas Song - Single - Album by Cher & Kelly Clarkson . November 7, 2024 . Apple Music (NZ) .
  34. Kelly Clarkson Is Having a Very Cher Christmas With 'DJ Play a Christmas Song' Kellyoke Cover. Bowenbank. Starr. 19 December 2023. Billboard. 26 November 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231220000103/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/kelly-clarkson-cher-dj-play-a-christmas-song-kellyoke-cover-watch-1235562159/amp/. 2023-12-20. live.
  35. Cher Says Kelly Clarkson 'Aced' Her Cover of 'DJ Play a Christmas Song'. 20 December 2023. Aniftos. Rania. Billboard. 26 November 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20231220212142/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/cher-reacts-kelly-clarkson-dj-play-a-christmas-song-cover-1235562932/amp/. 2023-12-20. live.
  36. Cher Charts A Brand New Top 10 Hit–And She's Joined By A Pop Superstar. McIntyre. Hugh. 2024-11-25. 2024-11-25. Forbes. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20241125224724/https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2024/11/25/cher-charts-a-brand-new-top-10-hitand-shes-joined-by-a-pop-superstar/. 2024-11-25. live.
  37. Kelly Clarkson Earns Her First Hit On A Billboard Chart She's Never Seen Before . McIntyre. Hugh. 2024-11-25. 2024-11-26. Forbes. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20241126000319/https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2024/11/25/kelly-clarkson-earns-her-first-hit-on-a-billboard-chart-shes-never-seen-before/. 2024-11-26. live.
  38. Web site: Spotify (UK) . November 7, 2024 . DJ Play A Christmas Song - Single by Cher & Kelly Clarkson . November 7, 2024 . Spotify (UK) .
  39. Web site: Apple Music (US) . November 15, 2024 . DJ Play A Christmas Song - Single by Cher & Giovanni Zarrella . November 16, 2024. en-us.
  40. Web site: Cher 'DJ Play A Christmas Song' (Radio Date: 15/11/2024). Warner Music Group. Tenaglia. Raffaella. November 20, 2024. Radio Airplay SRL. https://web.archive.org/web/20241120114441/https://radiodate.it/radio-date/cher-giovanni-zarrella-dj-play-a-christmas-song-237486-15-11-2024-radiodate/. November 20, 2024. live.
  41. Web site: DJ Play a Christmas Song - Single by Cher & Belinda. November 29, 2024. Apple Music (US). December 1, 2024.
  42. Web site: DJ Play A Christmas Song (DJ Mixes) . Apple Music (UK) . en-uk. 1 December 2023 . 7 November 2024.
  43. Web site: DJ Play A Christmas Song - Single by Cher & Kelly Clarkson. Apple Music (US). en-us. 8 November 2024. 25 November 2024.

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