Snowman (Sia song) explained

Snowman
Cover:Sia Snowman Remix.jpeg
Caption:Slowed Down & Snowed In remix artwork
Type:single
Artist:Sia
Album:Everyday Is Christmas
Released:9 November 2017
Genre:Christmas
Length:2:45
Label:
Producer:Greg Kurstin
Prev Title:Santa's Coming for Us
Prev Year:2017
Next Title:Helium
Next Year:2018

"Snowman" is a song by Australian singer-songwriter Sia. It was released on 9 November 2017, as the second single from Sia's eighth studio album, Everyday Is Christmas.[1] A music video made via claymation was released on 30 October 2020. A part two of the music video was released on 22 December 2022.

"Snowman" earned positive reviews from critics, some of whom deemed it the highlight single from Everyday Is Christmas. The song experienced a popularity surge in November 2020 on TikTok,[2] and has since been branded as a modern-day Christmas classic.

Composition

"Snowman" was written by Sia and frequent collaborator Greg Kurstin. Written in the key of D♭ major, Sia's vocals span from F3 to G♭5.[3] Production on the track was handled solely by Kurstin.[4] The song is a midtempo, 60's-inspired,[5] piano-driven, crisp, swaying ballad[6] over which Sia's vocals, described as "calm but energetic" by mxdwn, tell a snowman not to cry as he will melt.[7] [8] The track runs for a length of 2 minutes and 45 seconds.

Release and promotion

"Snowman" was announced on Sia's social media accounts on 7 November 2017, and was released for digital download and streaming on 9 November 2017 as the second single from Everyday Is Christmas.[9] [10] Sia performed "Snowman" on The Ellen DeGeneres Show,[11] and on the finale of the fifteenth season of American reality TV series The Voice.[12]

In December 2020, a challenge based around the song on video-sharing app TikTok saw a massive rise in popularity, becoming a trend. The challenge sees TikTok users attempt to sing a portion of the song, lasting forty seconds, in one breath. Sia subsequently released a "Snowed In & Slowed Down Remix" of the track, which was later featured on the Snowman Deluxe Edition of Everyday is Christmas on 5 November 2021.[13] In addition to this, a sped-up version was included on the 2022 reissue of the album.[14]

Reception

Slant Magazine described the song as a "clever ode to fleeting romance".[15] Slate named it the best song on Everyday Is Christmas, noting it "[takes] something we associate with winter and [applies] it to a universal theme."[16] NME commented that the TikTok remix version of the song "opts for a breezier tempo than the original, with Sia changing the song’s key midway through for extra effect."

The song has also been included in lists of the best Christmas songs of all-time published by The Athletic,[17] Esquire,[18] Cosmopolitan,[19] and was described by Billboard in 2022 as a "modern seasonal classic".[20]

Commercial performance

Upon its initial release in 2017, "Snowman" debuted and peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Holiday Digital Songs Sales chart dated 2 December 2017.[21] Since its rise in popularity in 2020, the track has reached the top 10 various markets, including Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Sweden. It also reached the top 20 in Australia and Canada, among others, and peaked at number 15 on the Billboard Global 200 in 2023. In 2021, it reached number 1 on the Finnish Singles Chart, becoming Sia's first chart-topping hit in the country.[22] In the same year, it topped the Norwegian Singles Chart for two weeks and returned to number 1 in 2022 and 2023.[23]

As of December 2022, "Snowman" was one of the 10 most-streamed Christmas songs of all-time on streaming platform Spotify.[24]

Music videos

On 30 October 2020, a claymation music video for "Snowman", directed by Lior Molcho, premiered on YouTube.[25] On 22 December 2022, a "Part II" of the video was released, also directed by Molcho.[26]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2017–2024)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[27] 11
Croatia (Billboard)[28] 13
Croatia (HRT)[29] 33
Denmark (Tracklisten)[30] 24
France (SNEP)[31] 5
Greece International (IFPI)[32] 5
Hong Kong (Billboard)[33] 20
Iceland (Plötutíðindi)[34] 16
Italy (FIMI)[35] 21
Latvia (LAIPA)[36] 4
Lithuania (AGATA)[37] 2
Luxembourg (Billboard)[38] 6
Malaysia (RIM)[39] 3
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[40] 11
Norway (VG-lista)[41] 1
Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[42] 57
Poland (Polish Streaming Top 100)[43] 3
Romania (Billboard)[44] 11
Singapore (RIAS)[45] 12
South Korea (Circle)[46] 10
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[47] 42
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[48] 7
United Arab Emirates (IFPI)[49] 10
US Holiday Digital Songs (Billboard)[50] 3
Vietnam (Vietnam Hot 100)[51] 18

Year-end charts

Chart (2021)! scope="col"
Position
Hungary (Stream Top 40)[52] 92
South Korea (Gaon)[53] 123
Chart (2022)Position
South Korea (Circle)[54] 124
Chart (2023)Position
Hungary (Single Top 40)[55] 47
South Korea (Circle)[56] 140

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormatVersionLabel(s)
Various9 November 2017Original[57]
9 December 2020Video streamingSnowed In & Slowed Down TikTok Remix[58]
29 October 2021[59]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Myers . Owen . 16 November 2017 . Thank God Sia is doing Christmas music her way . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220628113614/https://www.thefader.com/2017/11/16/sia-christmas-album-review-everyday-is-christmas . 28 June 2022 . 5 December 2022 . The Fader.
  2. Web site: Fowler . Kate . 2020-12-14 . TikTok: What is the Snowman Challenge? Sia's Christmas song is the latest trend! . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201214172753/https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2020/12/14/snowman-challenge-tiktok/ . 14 December 2020 . 2020-12-15 . HITC.
  3. Web site: Furler. Sia. Kurstin. Greg. Snowman - Digital Sheet Music. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210206171348/https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0179495. 6 February 2021. 6 February 2021. MusicNotes.
  4. Web site: Credits, Everyday Is Christmas by Sia TIDAL. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210330095646/https://listen.tidal.com/album/81198974/credits. 30 March 2021.
  5. Web site: Thank God Sia is doing Christmas music her way. live. 31 January 2021. The FADER. 23 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201123164258/https://www.thefader.com/2017/11/16/sia-christmas-album-review-everyday-is-christmas.
  6. Leight. Elias. 2020-12-21. All They Want for Christmas Is a TikTok Hit. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20201226175943/https://www.rollingstone.com/pro/features/christmas-music-tiktok-labels-mariah-carey-1106549/. 26 December 2020. 2020-12-27. Rolling Stone.
  7. News: The quality of Sia's Christmas album would leave Stephens shaken. 2020-12-15. The Irish Times. 17 November 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171117110855/https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/the-quality-of-sia-s-christmas-album-would-leave-stephens-shaken-1.3292816. live.
  8. Web site: Listen to Sia's Ballad 'Snowman' from Forthcoming Holiday Album. 30 March 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210330095634/https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/Listen-to-Sias-Ballad-Snowman-from-Forthcoming-Holiday-Album-20171109. live.
  9. 927943564671283200. sia. The Christmas goodies continue, "Snowman" from Everyday Is Christmas will be out Thursday worldwide. - Team Sia. 8 November 2017. 17 December 2020.
  10. 928579213065465856. sia. Move over Frosty ⛄ "Snowman" is here! Stream & download it now: https://fanlink.to/snowman - Team Sia. 9 November 2017. 17 December 2020.
  11. Web site: Sia Unwraps a Special Holiday Performance of 'Snowman' The Ellen Show on YouTube . . 20 November 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211120162946/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWeEeugBQ6w&t=80s . live .
  12. Web site: "Don't miss Sia performing "Snowman"... Sia on Twitter .
  13. Web site: 10 December 2020. Listen to Sia's remix of her 2018 track, 'Snowman' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201210001527/https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/listen-to-sias-remix-of-her-2018-track-snowman-2835329 . 10 December 2020 . 27 December 2020 . NME.
  14. Web site: Sia . Everyday Is Christmas (Snowman Deluxe Edition) . 5 December 2022 . Apple Music (US) . 12 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221112232243/https://music.apple.com/us/album/everyday-is-christmas-snowman-deluxe-edition/1652307091 . live .
  15. Web site: Camp. Alexa. Review: Sia, Everyday Is Christmas. Slant Magazine. 13 November 2017 . 2020-12-15. 23 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210123232705/https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/sia-everyday-is-christmas/. live.
  16. Web site: Martinelli. Marissa. 2017-11-21. All the Songs on Sia's New Christmas Album, Ranked. 2020-12-15. Slate. 22 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190522112046/https://slate.com/culture/2017/11/all-the-songs-on-sias-everyday-is-christmas-ranked.html. live.
  17. Web site: Staff. The Athletic Fantasy Sports. Top 100 Christmas songs ranked: Ray Charles ... at No. 1?. 2021-01-31. The Athletic. 5 February 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210205025735/https://theathletic.com/2253792/2020/12/11/the-best-christmas-songs-of-all-time/. live.
  18. Web site: McNeal . Bria . 12 December 2023 . The Best Christmas Songs of All Time . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231215144428/https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/music/a50968/best-christmas-songs/ . 15 December 2023 . 15 December 2023 . Esquire.
  19. Web site: Thompson . Eliza . Truong . Peggy . Igoe . Katherine J . Young . Courtney . 1 December 2023 . The 75 best Christmas songs of all time (you can thank us later) . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231212144455/https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/entertainment/a46009752/best-christmas-songs/ . 12 December 2023 . 15 December 2023 . Cosmopolitan.
  20. Best New Christmas Songs for 2022: Lizzo, Camila Cabello & More. 22 November 2022. 5 December 2022. Dailey. Hannah. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20221130224249/https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-new-christmas-songs-2022-holidays/camila-cabello-ill-be-home-for-christmas. 30 November 2022. Billboard.
  21. Holiday Digital Song Sales Chart. 2021-01-31. Billboard. 25 September 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200925165016/https://www.billboard.com/charts/holiday-season-digital-song-sales/2017-12-02. live.
  22. Web site: Suomen Virallinen Lista. 2021-01-31. Musiikkituottajat. fi-FI. 26 May 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200526092937/https://www.ifpi.fi/lista/. live.
  23. Web site: Snowman . 15 December 2023 . . no . 15 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231215145637/https://www.vglista.no/sanger/snowman-3 . live .
  24. Web site: Sutherland . Mark . 20 December 2022 . Jingle bell rock: Festive hits in the streaming era . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221223143114/https://www.prsformusic.com/m-magazine/features/jingle-bell-rock-festive-hits-in-the-streaming-era . 23 December 2022 . 23 December 2022 . PRS for Music.
  25. Web site: Sia - Snowman [Official Video] - YouTube]. 2020-12-15. YouTube. 15 December 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201215055943/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gset79KMmt0. live.
  26. Web site: Sia - Snowman (Official Video - Part II) - YouTube. 2022-12-23. YouTube. 22 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221222185622/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeJzZThvrlo. live.
  27. Web site: ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart. Australian Recording Industry Association. 1 January 2024. 29 December 2023.
  28. Sia Chart History (Croatia Songs). Billboard. 3 January 2024.
  29. Web site: ARC 100 - Week 52 (25.12.2023.). 25 December 2023 . HRT. 28 December 2023. 27 December 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231227144018/https://www.top-lista.hr/www/airplay-radio-chart-top40-52-tjedan-25-12-2023/. live.
  30. Web site: Track Top-40 Uge 50, 2023. Hitlisten. 20 December 2023.
  31. Web site: Top Singles (Week 52, 2023). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. French. 2 January 2024.
  32. Web site: Official IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) - Week 50/2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231221150524/https://www.ifpi.gr/digital_ien.html. dead. December 21, 2023. IFPI Greece. December 21, 2023.
  33. Sia Chart History (Hong Kong Songs). Billboard. January 3, 2024.
  34. Web site: Tónlistinn – Lög. The Music – Songs. is. Plötutíðindi. December 31, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231231203410/https://plotutidindi.is/tonlistinn/. December 31, 2023.
  35. Web site: Top Singoli – Classifica settimanale WK 52. Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. it. 1 January 2022. 5 February 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190205044056/https://www.fimi.it/top-of-the-music/classifiche.kl#/charts/3/2021/52. live.
  36. Web site: Mūzikas Patēriņa Tops/ 49. nedēļa. en, lv. LAIPA. January 30, 2024. December 10, 2023.
  37. Web site: 2021 51-os savaitės klausomiausi (TOP 100). AGATA. lt. 24 December 2021. 24 December 2021. 24 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211224112743/https://www.agata.lt/lt/naujienos/51s/. live.
  38. Sia Chart History (Luxembourg Songs). Billboard. 27 December 2023.
  39. Web site:
    1. RIMChart Top 20 Most Streamed International + Domestic song Week 52 (18/12/20 - 24/12/20)
    . RIM. 1 January 2021. 7 January 2024. Facebook.
  40. Web site: NZ Top 40 Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. 2 January 2023. 31 December 2022. 30 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221230212600/https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/singles?chart=5476. live.
  41. Web site: VG-lista – Topp 20 Single 2021-49. VG-lista. 11 December 2021. 10 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211210165552/https://topplista.no/charts/singles/2021-w49/. live.
  42. Web site: OLiS – oficjalna lista airplay. OLiS. pl. 27 December 2023. Select week 16.12.2023–22.12.2023..
  43. Web site: OLiS – oficjalna lista sprzedaży – single w streamie. OLiS. pl. 14 December 2023. Select week 01.12.2023–07.12.2023..
  44. Sia Chart History (Romania Songs). Billboard. 27 December 2023.
  45. Web site: RIAS Top Charts Week 52 (22 - 28 Dec 2023). RIAS. 3 January 2024. 3 January 2024. https://archive.today/20240103123523/https://www.rias.org.sg/rias-top-charts/.
  46. Web site: Digital Chart – Week 52 of 2022. Circle Chart. ko. 29 December 2022. 29 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221229020431/https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/onoff.circle?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=52&hitYear=2022&termGbn=week&yearTime=3. live.
  47. Web site: Top 100 Canciones – Semana 52: del 22.12.2023 al 28.12.2023. Productores de Música de España. 7 January 2024.
  48. Web site: Veckolista Singlar, vecka 51, 2023. Sverigetopplistan. sv. 23 December 2023.
  49. Web site: This Week's Official UAE Chart Top 20: from 22/12/2023 to 29/12/2023. International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. January 3, 2024.
  50. Sia Chart History: Holiday Digital Songs. 2020-12-15. Billboard. 15 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201115161447/https://www.billboard.com/music/sia/chart-history/XDT. live.
  51. Sia Chart History (Billboard Vietnam Hot 100). Billboard. 8 December 2022. 3 March 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220303150525/https://www.billboard.com/artist/sia/chart-history/vtm/. live.
  52. Web site: Stream Top 100 - darabszám alapján - 2021. Mahasz. hu. 1 February 2022. 24 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220124144720/https://slagerlistak.hu/archivum/eves-osszesitett-listak/stream_db/2021. live.
  53. Web site: http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&termGbn=year&hitYear=2021&year_time=3. ko:2021년 Digital Chart. 2021 Digital Chart. Gaon Music Chart. ko. 8 January 2022. 7 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220107031910/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=2021&hitYear=2021&termGbn=year&year_time=3. live.
  54. Web site: Digital Chart 2022. Circle Chart. https://web.archive.org/web/20230113052454/https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/onoff.circle?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=2022&hitYear=2022&termGbn=year&yearTime=3. 13 January 2023. live. 13 January 2023.
  55. Web site: Single Top 100 - digitális és fizikai értékesítés alapján - 2023. MAHASZ. 31 January 2024. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20240131131809/https://slagerlistak.hu/archivum/eves-osszesitett-slagerlistak/single_db/2023. 31 January 2024. hu.
  56. Web site: Digital Chart 2023. Circle Chart. 12 January 2024.
  57. Web site: Snowman. Spotify. en. 2020-12-15. 16 March 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210316144841/https://open.spotify.com/album/3zWQCOHI3ygGPNiGPMnd8i. live.
  58. Web site: Sia – Snowman (Snowed In & Slowed Down TikTok Remix). 2020-12-15. YouTube. 20 December 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201220032000/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fm_b_3MG3rA&gl=US&hl=en. live.
  59. Web site: Snowman (Slowed Down & Snowed In Remix) - Single. Sia. Apple Music (US). 29 October 2021. 29 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211029201224/https://music.apple.com/us/album/snowman-slowed-down-snowed-in-remix-single/1591207831. live.

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