Fall in Love at Christmas explained

Fall in Love at Christmas
Cover:Fall in Love at Christmas.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Mariah Carey, Khalid and Kirk Franklin
Recorded:2021
Length:5:08
Label:

"Fall in Love at Christmas" is a holiday song by American singers Mariah Carey, Khalid, and Kirk Franklin. It was released on November 5, 2021, and was written by the artists and Daniel Moore II, who produced it with Carey and Franklin.[1] The song was featured on Carey's second Christmas special for Apple TV+, titled Mariah's Christmas: The Magic Continues, which was released worldwide on December 3, 2021.[2]

Background and release

On October 31, 2021, Carey shared via social media a clip teasing the release of a song.[3] On November 1, Carey officially announced the song, which was scheduled for release on November 5, through a 30-second preview, revealing the song to be a romantic R&B-tinged ballad, with Carey and Khalid singing together in the chorus and a gospel inspired choir led by Kirk Franklin. The official artwork includes photos of the three artists as children against Christmas wrapping paper.[4]

The song was performed on Carey's second Christmas special for Apple TV+, titled Mariah's Christmas: The Magic Continues, which was released worldwide on December 3, 2021.[5]

Critical reception

Upon release, the song received generally positive reviews. Vulture writer Rebecca Alter called the song an "extremely smooth duet with Khalid" praising their harmonizing.[6] She went on to praise Franklin as a choirmaster noting that he "brings the gospel choir in and kicks things up a notch".[6] The New York Post writer Brooke Kato also noted that "the new holiday tune was met with support and joy online as listeners flocked to listen right as the clock struck midnight".

NPR writer Lars Gotrich also gave the song high praise stating that the song "is a carol for grown folks several seasons into their love and the kind of sumptuous torch song that Carey hasn't sung in a minute".[7] Gotrich also praised Khalid's vocals stating that "the 23-year-old R&B singer knows no one can outdo Carey, so his harmonies add just the right amount of tinsel".[7] Metro writer Emma Kelly praised Carey's vocal but gave mixed reviews to the Christmas element of the song noting that the song is "just a well-crafted R’n’B slow jam with Christmas keywords shoehorned in".[8] She went on to say that, "Mariah sounds as incredible as ever, with her trademark whistle tone still sending chills down our spines when she whips it out towards the song's crescendo, and Khalid's soulful tone compliments her perfectly".[8]

Music video

A music video for the song was filmed at Carey's house and released on her Vevo channel on November 5.[9] Throughout the video, Carey "spreads the cheer with Khalid and gospel great Kirk Franklin in the clip that finds the three hanging in their PJs in Mariah's living room as they croon over the track's finger-picked guitars and subtly chiming sleigh bells".[10] The video was directed by Carey and her boyfriend Bryan Tanaka.[11]

Formats and track listings

CD single[12]

  1. "Fall in Love at Christmas" (Main Version) – 5:08
  2. "Fall in Love at Christmas" (Radio Edit) – 3:38
  3. "Fall in Love at Christmas" (Radio Edit with Outro) – 4:15

Fall in Love at Christmas (Remixes)

  1. "Fall in Love at Christmas" (Arlo Remix) – 3:41
  2. "Fall in Love at Christmas" (Cutmore Remix) – 4:59
  3. "Fall in Love at Christmas" (Moto Blanco Remix) – 6:32

12-inch vinyl[13]

A1. "Fall in Love at Christmas" (Main Version) – 5:08

A2. "Fall in Love at Christmas" (Extended Radio Version) – 4:15

A3. "Fall in Love at Christmas" (Radio Version) – 3:38

B1. "Fall in Love at Christmas" (Arlo Remix) – 3:41

B2. "Fall in Love at Christmas" (Cutmore Remix) – 4:49

B3. "Fall in Love at Christmas" (Moto Blanco Remix) – 6:32

Charts

Chart (2021–2023)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Japan Hot Overseas (Billboard Japan)[14] 9
US Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[15] 24
US Hot R&B Songs (Billboard)[16] 24
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[17] 31

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormatLabel
VariousNovember 5, 2021[18]
United StatesNovember 26, 2021Urban adult contemporary radio[19]

Notes and References

  1. Kaufman. Gil. Mariah Carey Teams With Apple For New Holiday Special 'Mariah's Christmas: The Magic Continues'. Billboard. 2 November 2021. 2 November 2021.
  2. Abraham. Mya. Mariah Carey Returns To Apple TV+ For New Holiday Special. Vibe. 2 November 2021. 3 November 2021.
  3. Kaufman. Gil. Mariah Carey Smashes Pumpkin, Declares Halloween Officially Ovah. Billboard. 1 November 2021. 3 November 2021.
  4. Skinner. Tom. Mariah Carey announces new festive single with Khalid, 'Fall In Love At Christmas'. NME. 2 November 2021. 2 November 2021.
  5. Kaufman. Gil. Mariah Carey Shares Snippet of Snow-Dusted Power Ballad 'Fall In Love At Christmas'. Billboard. 3 November 2021. 3 November 2021.
  6. Web site: Mariah Carey Has a New Holiday Song, So Christmas Starts Now. November 7, 2021. Vulture. 5 November 2021 .
  7. Web site: Mariah Carey (feat. Khalid & Kirk Franklin), 'Fall in Love at Christmas'. November 7, 2021. NPR.
  8. Web site: Mariah Carey's new Christmas single, amazingly, just isn't Christmassy enough. November 10, 2021. Metro. 5 November 2021 .
  9. Web site: Mariah Carey's cheery, new song wants you to 'Fall in Love at Christmas'. November 7, 2021. New York Post. 5 November 2021 .
  10. Bundle Up, Because Mariah Carey's Wintry 'Fall in Love at Christmas' Video Will Give You Chills. November 7, 2021. Billboard.
  11. Web site: Watch: Mariah Carey Teams Up With Khalid And Kirk Franklin For 'Fall In Love At Christmas'. November 7, 2021. Entertainment Tonight. 6 November 2021 .
  12. Web site: Mariah Carey - Fall In Love At Christmas CD Single. November 2, 2021. Mariah Carey Shop.
  13. Web site: Fall In Love At Christmas LP. October 25, 2022. Mariah Carey Shop.
  14. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot Overseas . Billboard Japan . January 5, 2022.
  15. Mariah Carey Chart History (Digital Song Sales). Billboard. November 16, 2021.
  16. Mariah Carey . 2022-11-05 . Billboard . en-US.
  17. Web site: BDS Radio Charts. Broadcast Data Systems. October 13, 2023. December 17, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211217220723/http://charts.bdsradio.com/bdsradiocharts/charts.aspx?formatid=3. dead.
  18. Web site: Fall in Love at Christmas - Single by Mariah Carey, Khalid & Kirk Franklin. November 8, 2021. iTunes.
  19. Web site: Urban/R&B Future Releases. November 19, 2021. All Access.