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{{Infobox single <!-- See Misplaced Pages:WikiProject_Songs --> | |||
#redirect] | |||
| Name = Underneath the Tree | |||
| Cover = | |||
| Border = | |||
| Alt = | |||
| Caption = | |||
| Artist = ] | |||
| Album = ] | |||
| A-side = | |||
| B-side = | |||
| Released = {{Start date|2013|11|05}} | |||
| Format = Digital download | |||
| Recorded = 2013 | |||
| Genre = {{flat list| | |||
* ] | |||
* ]<ref name="Music Notes" /> | |||
* ]<ref name="Taste of Country 1" /> | |||
}} | |||
| Length = {{Duration|m=3|s=49}} | |||
| Label = ] | |||
| Writer = {{flat list| | |||
* Kelly Clarkson | |||
* ] | |||
}} | |||
| Producer = | |||
Greg Kurstin | |||
| Certification = | |||
| Chronology = | |||
| Last single = {{ubl|"]"|(2013)}} | |||
| This single = {{ubl|"'''Underneath the Tree'''"|(2013)}} | |||
| Next single = | |||
| Misc = | |||
}} | |||
"'''Underneath the Tree'''" is a song by American recording artist ], from her sixth studio album and first ] '']'' (2013). Written by Clarkson along with ], who handled the song's production, it sings of seeking and being grateful for companionship during the Christmas season, in which the beloved is being refereed as the only present needed "underneath ]". Accompanied by various instrumental sounds, "Underneath the Tree" prominently incorporates a ] treatment along with ] and ] to resonate a holiday atmosphere. It is set to be released on November 5, 2013 by ] as the lead single from the album.<ref name="Radio and Records 1" /> | |||
"Underneath the Tree" has been praised by music critics, who considered it as the main highlight of ''Wrapped in Red'' and lauded it's potential to be Holiday classic. They also complimentary compared it to the 1994 modern Christmas standard "]" by ]. RCA Records also announced plans to film a music video for the song.<ref name="Billboard 1" /> | |||
== Background == | |||
After recording tracks for her greatest hits compilation, '']'', Clarkson began discussing with her record label ] about plans for her sixth studio album being a ] in late 2012,<ref name="Billboard 1" /> during which she also began to write original Christmas material. ], whom she had previously collaborated with, was approached by Clarkson to produce the album; and together, they co-wrote the tracks "Underneath the Tree" and "4 Carats".<ref name="Liner notes – Wrapped in Red" /> On October 18, 2013, Clarkson premiered the song on her ] channel.<ref name="Digital Spy 1" /> RCA Records is set to release "Underneath the Tree" on ] radio stations in the United States on November 5, 2013,<ref name="Radio and Records 1" /> while also planning to release it on ] stations.<ref name="Billboard 1" /> | |||
== Recording and composition == | |||
"Underneath the Tree" was produced by Kurstin, who also played most of the instruments, including a ] and a ], to evoke a ]'s ] treatment—a sound that '']'' and ] noticed upon hearing the song.<ref name="Billboard 1" /><ref name="HitFix 1" /> He also had Clarkson provided all the voices in it, including all its backing vocals. She recalled the experience as new, stating, "I've never had to do anything like this before—doing all my backup vocals, essentially being my own choir."<ref name="Billboard 1" /> | |||
"Underneath the Tree" is an uptempo ]-style ] ]<ref name="Taste of Country 1" /> and ]<ref name="Music Notes" /> song written by Clarkson and Kurstin.<ref name="Music Notes" /> It is one of the five original songs recorded for ''Wrapped in Red''. According to the sheet notes at Musicnotes published by ], it was written in the key of ], in which Clarkson's ] spans from ] to ].<ref name="Music Notes" /> Apart from the Wall of Sound, various other souns, such as ] and ], are also prominently heard on the song, which features a ] ] on the bridge.<ref name="Idolator 1" /> Lyrically, it sings about companionship, primarily of someone wanting to be with her beloved on the Christmas season.<ref name="PopCrush 1" /> The first verse laments about loneliness on Christmas which gradually changes with the arrival of her beloved, with the ] centering about singer being grateful for being with him, whom she also describes as the only thing she needs "underneath ]", which acts as a symbolism for a ].<ref name="PopCrush 1" /> | |||
== Critical response == | |||
"Underneath the Tree" has received critical acclaim from various music critics on its release, who lauded it as main highlight of ''Wrapped in Red'' and a prospective Christmas standard. ''Billboard''{{'}}s Marisa Fox called it as the album's "biggest surprise",<ref name="Billboard 1" /> and described it as an optimistic tune that has Clarkson powering through ]-style vocals.<ref name="Billboard 1" /> While the '']''{{'}}s Mikael Wood described it as "a remarkably cheery new single."<ref name="Los Angeles Times 1" /> Christina Vinson of ] remarked, "has everything a Christmas song could want: a jazzy, big band sound, saxophone and bells ringing, all bottled up in an optimistic and catchy holiday track. Clarkson shines in this song, as her strong vocals are needed to offset the snazzy production and chorus."<ref name="Taste of Country 1" /> In his review, ]'s Carl Williott wrote that the song "sounds instantly familiar — sleigh bells, laments about a lonely Christmas day, a sax solo — but with a tightly coiled hook and Clarkson’s transcendent voice, the whole thing is kind of invigorating."<ref name="Idolator 1" /> Sarah Rodman of '']'' called it as "bouncy, cooing number tailor-made to soundtrack sleigh rides," and named it as the best track on the album.<ref name="The Boston Globe 1" /> | |||
Critics also approvingly compared it to ]'s modern Christmas classic "]" (1994), a track that RCA chief executive ] described as the song's inspiration.<ref name="Billboard 2" /> Williot added that "This one is strong enough that it could enter the pantheon of modern Christmas staples like Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You" and ]'s "]".<ref name="Idolator 1" /> Amy Sciarretto of ] wrote, "It’s an upbeat, jingle-and-sleigh-bell-fueled jam, complete with some saxophone. It reminds us a bit of Carey's modern classic "All I Want for Christmas Is You", with a dose of girl group harmonizing."<ref name="PopCrush 1" /> ]'s Jenna Hally Rubenstein remarked, "if we may be so bold, it is definitely on par with other impeccable Christmas originals — namely Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You"."<ref name="MTV 1" /> Sal Cinquemani of ] noted the similar themes of two songs, and that "Underneath the Tree" is "likely to become Clarkson's very own contemporary standard."<ref name="Slant Magazine" /> While Melinda Newman of HitFix wrote, "It's a finger-popping, bell-ringing pleaser that could achieve that rare feat of becoming a new Christmas standard. That hasn't happened since Carey's "All I Want For Christmas" in 1994."<ref name="HitFix 1" /> | |||
== Music video == | |||
On the eve of ''Wrapped in Red''{{'}}s release, RCA Records released an animated lyric video for "Underneath the Tree", featuring shots of ice skating, a snow-covered town, and copious Christmas trees.<ref name="Huff Post 1" /> The lyric video was released to positive reviews, with Idolator's Sam Lansky describing it as "a nice visual accompaniment to the song that just lends an extra high-octane Yuletide cheer to its already-effervescent spirit".<ref name="Huff Post 1" /><ref name="Idolator 2" /> The label also announced plans to release music video for the song.<ref name="Billboard 1" /> | |||
== Radio and release history == | |||
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" | |||
|+List of release dates, showing region, release format, and label | |||
! scope="col"| Region || Date || Format || Label | |||
|- | |||
! scope="row"| United States<ref name="Radio and Records 1" /> | |||
| {{start date|2013|11|05}} | |||
| ] radio | |||
| ] | |||
|} | |||
== References == | |||
{{reflist|2|refs= | |||
<ref name="Music Notes"> | |||
{{cite web |first1=Kelly |last1=Clarkson |authorlink1=Kelly Clarkson |first2=Greg |last2=Kurstin |authorlink2=Greg Kurstin |title=Kelly Clarkson - Underneath the Tree Sheet Music (Digital Download) |publisher=Musicnotes.com. ] |format=sheet music |year=2013 |url=http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtdFPE.asp?ppn=MN0126470 |accessdate=October 29, 2013}} {{subscription required}} | |||
</ref> | |||
<ref name="Liner notes – Wrapped in Red"> | |||
{{cite album-notes|title=] |artist=Kelly Clarkson |year=2013 |publisher=] |publisherid=88883-77623-2 |type=booklet}} | |||
</ref> | |||
<ref name="Billboard 1"> | |||
{{cite journal|url=http://shop.billboard.com/products/billboard-back-issue-volume-125-issue-41 |title=Clarkson in the Red zone |first=Marisa |last=Fox |journal=] |volume=125 |issue=41 |publisher=] |accessdate=October 29, 2013}} {{subscription needed}} | |||
</ref> | |||
<ref name="Billboard 2"> | |||
{{cite journal|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/5763194/q4-label-special-rcas-tom-corson-and-peter-edge-on-miley-britney-jt-the-adult |title=Q4 Label Special: RCA's Tom Corson and Peter Edge on Miley, Britney & JT, the Adult Xmas Market, 'Focusing on Hip-Hop & Rock' (From the Magazine) |first=Andrew |last=Hampp |journal=Billboard |volume=125 |issue=41 |publisher=Prometheus Global Media |date=October 22, 2013 |accessdate=October 29, 2013}} | |||
</ref> | |||
<ref name="Taste of Country 1"> | |||
{{cite web|url=http://tasteofcountry.com/kelly-clarkson-underneath-the-christmas-tree-audio/ |title=Hear Kelly Clarkson’s ‘Underneath the Tree’ |first=Christina |last=Vinson |work='']'' |publisher=] |date=October 18, 2013 |accessdate=October 29, 2013}} | |||
</ref> | |||
<ref name="PopCrush 1"> | |||
{{cite web|url=http://popcrush.com/kelly-clarkson-underneath-the-tree-christmas-single/ |title=Listen to Kelly Clarkson 'Underneath the Tree' Christmas Single |first=Amy |last=Sciarretto |work='']'' |publisher=Townsquare Media |date=October 18, 2013 |accessdate=October 29, 2013}} | |||
</ref> | |||
<ref name="MTV 1"> | |||
{{cite web|url=http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/2013/10/18/kelly-clarkson-underneath-the-tree/ |title=Listen To Kelly Clarkson's Insta-Christmas Classic: 'Underneath The Tree' |first=Jenna Hally |last=Rubenstein |work='']'' |publisher=] |date=October 18, 2013 |accessdate=October 29, 2013}} | |||
</ref> | |||
<ref name="Los Angeles Times 1"> | |||
{{cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-listen-to-kelly-clarksons-new-christmas-song-underneath-the-tree-20131018,0,473078.story |title=Listen to Kelly Clarkson's new Christmas song 'Underneath the Tree' |first=Mikael |last=Wood |work=] |publisher=] |date=October 18, 2013 |accessdate=October 29, 2013}} | |||
</ref> | |||
<ref name="Idolator 1"> | |||
{{cite web|url=http://www.idolator.com/7489536/kelly-clarkson-christmas-underneath-the-tree |title=Kelly Clarkson Premieres New Christmas Classic “Underneath The Tree”: Listen |first=Carl |last=Williott |work=] |publisher=] |date=October 18, 2013 |accessdate=October 29, 2013}} | |||
</ref> | |||
<ref name="Idolator 2"> | |||
{{cite web|url=http://www.idolator.com/7490810/kelly-clarkson-underneath-the-tree-lyric-video |title=Kelly Clarkson’s “Underneath The Tree” Gets A Cute Lyric Video: Watch |first=Sam |last=Lansky |work=Idolator |publisher=Spin Media |date=October 28, 2013 |accessdate=October 29, 2013}} | |||
</ref> | |||
<ref name="Slant Magazine"> | |||
{{cite web|url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/kelly-clarkson-wrapped-in-red |title=Kelly Clarkson: Wrapped in Red — Music Review — Slant Magazine |first=Sal |last=Cinquemani |publisher=] |date=October 23, 2013 |accessdate=October 29, 2013}} | |||
</ref> | |||
<ref name="The Boston Globe 1"> | |||
{{cite web|url=http://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/music/2013/10/27/album-review-kelly-clarkson-wrapped-red/US04fVv4nfvY0oT6k8bHRJ/story.html |archiveurl=http://archive.is/820FB |title=Album Review: Kelly Clarkson's 'Wrapped in Red' - Music |first=Sarah |last=Rodman |work=] |publisher=Boston Globe Media Partners, LLC. |date=October 28, 2013 |accessdate=October 29, 2013 |archivedate=October 28, 2013}} | |||
</ref> | |||
<ref name="HitFix 1"> | |||
{{cite web|url=http://www.hitfix.com/news/kelly-clarkson-sparkles-on-wrapped-in-red-holiday-album |title=Kelly Clarkson sparkles on 'Wrapped In Red' holiday album |first=Melinda |last=Newman |work=] |publisher=HitFix, Inc. |date=October 28, 2013 |accessdate=October 29, 2013}} | |||
</ref> | |||
<ref name="Radio and Records 1"> | |||
{{cite web|url=http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=11/05/2013&Format=3 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/Or9Uz |title=R&R: Going For Adds: Adult Contemporary |work=] |publisher=Radio & Records, Inc. |date=October 28, 2013 |accessdate=October 29, 2013 |archivedate=October 29, 2013}} | |||
</ref> | |||
<ref name="Digital Spy 1"> | |||
{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a524612/kelly-clarkson-premieres-christmas-song-underneath-the-tree-listen.html |title=Kelly Clarkson premieres Christmas song 'Underneath the Tree' |work=] |location=United Kingdom |publisher=] |date=October 18, 2013 |accessdate=October 29, 2013}} | |||
</ref> | |||
<ref name="Huff Post 1"> | |||
{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/29/underneath-the-tree-lyric-video-kelly-clarkson_n_4173065.html |title='Underneath The Tree' Lyric Video Has Kelly Clarkson Getting Festive |work=] |publisher=] |date=October 28, 2013 |accessdate=August 20, 2013}} | |||
</ref> | |||
}} | |||
{{Kelly Clarkson singles}} | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] |
Revision as of 15:05, 29 October 2013
"Underneath the Tree" | |
---|---|
Song |
"Underneath the Tree" is a song by American recording artist Kelly Clarkson, from her sixth studio album and first Christmas album Wrapped in Red (2013). Written by Clarkson along with Greg Kurstin, who handled the song's production, it sings of seeking and being grateful for companionship during the Christmas season, in which the beloved is being refereed as the only present needed "underneath the tree". Accompanied by various instrumental sounds, "Underneath the Tree" prominently incorporates a Wall of Sound treatment along with sleigh bells and bell chimes to resonate a holiday atmosphere. It is set to be released on November 5, 2013 by RCA Records as the lead single from the album.
"Underneath the Tree" has been praised by music critics, who considered it as the main highlight of Wrapped in Red and lauded it's potential to be Holiday classic. They also complimentary compared it to the 1994 modern Christmas standard "All I Want for Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey. RCA Records also announced plans to film a music video for the song.
Background
After recording tracks for her greatest hits compilation, Greatest Hits – Chapter One, Clarkson began discussing with her record label RCA Records about plans for her sixth studio album being a Christmas release in late 2012, during which she also began to write original Christmas material. Greg Kurstin, whom she had previously collaborated with, was approached by Clarkson to produce the album; and together, they co-wrote the tracks "Underneath the Tree" and "4 Carats". On October 18, 2013, Clarkson premiered the song on her Vevo channel. RCA Records is set to release "Underneath the Tree" on Adult Contemporary radio stations in the United States on November 5, 2013, while also planning to release it on Mainstream Pop stations.
Recording and composition
"Underneath the Tree" was produced by Kurstin, who also played most of the instruments, including a mellotron and a Chamberlin, to evoke a Phil Spector's Wall of Sound treatment—a sound that Billboard and HitFix noticed upon hearing the song. He also had Clarkson provided all the voices in it, including all its backing vocals. She recalled the experience as new, stating, "I've never had to do anything like this before—doing all my backup vocals, essentially being my own choir."
"Underneath the Tree" is an uptempo big band-style Christmas jazz and pop song written by Clarkson and Kurstin. It is one of the five original songs recorded for Wrapped in Red. According to the sheet notes at Musicnotes published by EMI Music Publishing, it was written in the key of E♭ major, in which Clarkson's vocal range spans from E♭4 to G5. Apart from the Wall of Sound, various other souns, such as sleigh bells and bell chimes, are also prominently heard on the song, which features a saxophone solo on the bridge. Lyrically, it sings about companionship, primarily of someone wanting to be with her beloved on the Christmas season. The first verse laments about loneliness on Christmas which gradually changes with the arrival of her beloved, with the chorus centering about singer being grateful for being with him, whom she also describes as the only thing she needs "underneath the tree", which acts as a symbolism for a Christmas present.
Critical response
"Underneath the Tree" has received critical acclaim from various music critics on its release, who lauded it as main highlight of Wrapped in Red and a prospective Christmas standard. Billboard's Marisa Fox called it as the album's "biggest surprise", and described it as an optimistic tune that has Clarkson powering through Darlene Love-style vocals. While the Los Angeles Times's Mikael Wood described it as "a remarkably cheery new single." Christina Vinson of Taste of Country remarked, "has everything a Christmas song could want: a jazzy, big band sound, saxophone and bells ringing, all bottled up in an optimistic and catchy holiday track. Clarkson shines in this song, as her strong vocals are needed to offset the snazzy production and chorus." In his review, Idolator's Carl Williott wrote that the song "sounds instantly familiar — sleigh bells, laments about a lonely Christmas day, a sax solo — but with a tightly coiled hook and Clarkson’s transcendent voice, the whole thing is kind of invigorating." Sarah Rodman of The Boston Globe called it as "bouncy, cooing number tailor-made to soundtrack sleigh rides," and named it as the best track on the album.
Critics also approvingly compared it to Mariah Carey's modern Christmas classic "All I Want for Christmas Is You" (1994), a track that RCA chief executive Peter Edge described as the song's inspiration. Williot added that "This one is strong enough that it could enter the pantheon of modern Christmas staples like Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You" and 'N Sync's "Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays". Amy Sciarretto of PopCrush wrote, "It’s an upbeat, jingle-and-sleigh-bell-fueled jam, complete with some saxophone. It reminds us a bit of Carey's modern classic "All I Want for Christmas Is You", with a dose of girl group harmonizing." MTV's Jenna Hally Rubenstein remarked, "if we may be so bold, it is definitely on par with other impeccable Christmas originals — namely Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You"." Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine noted the similar themes of two songs, and that "Underneath the Tree" is "likely to become Clarkson's very own contemporary standard." While Melinda Newman of HitFix wrote, "It's a finger-popping, bell-ringing pleaser that could achieve that rare feat of becoming a new Christmas standard. That hasn't happened since Carey's "All I Want For Christmas" in 1994."
Music video
On the eve of Wrapped in Red's release, RCA Records released an animated lyric video for "Underneath the Tree", featuring shots of ice skating, a snow-covered town, and copious Christmas trees. The lyric video was released to positive reviews, with Idolator's Sam Lansky describing it as "a nice visual accompaniment to the song that just lends an extra high-octane Yuletide cheer to its already-effervescent spirit". The label also announced plans to release music video for the song.
Radio and release history
Region | Date | Format | Label |
---|---|---|---|
United States | November 5, 2013 (2013-11-05) | Adult Contemporary radio | RCA Records |
References
- ^ Clarkson, Kelly; Kurstin, Greg (2013). "Kelly Clarkson - Underneath the Tree Sheet Music (Digital Download)" (sheet music). Musicnotes.com. EMI April Music. Retrieved October 29, 2013. (subscription required)
- ^
Vinson, Christina (October 18, 2013). "Hear Kelly Clarkson's 'Underneath the Tree'". Taste of Country. Townsquare Media. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
{{cite web}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|work=
(help) - ^ "R&R: Going For Adds: Adult Contemporary". Radio & Records. Radio & Records, Inc. October 28, 2013. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
- ^ Fox, Marisa. "Clarkson in the Red zone". Billboard. 125 (41). Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved October 29, 2013. (subscription required)
-
Wrapped in Red (booklet). RCA Records. 2013.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: Unknown parameter|artist=
ignored (|others=
suggested) (help); Unknown parameter|publisherid=
ignored (help) - "Kelly Clarkson premieres Christmas song 'Underneath the Tree'". Digital Spy. United Kingdom: Hearst Corporation. October 18, 2013. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
- ^ Newman, Melinda (October 28, 2013). "Kelly Clarkson sparkles on 'Wrapped In Red' holiday album". HitFix. HitFix, Inc. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
- ^ Williott, Carl (October 18, 2013). "Kelly Clarkson Premieres New Christmas Classic "Underneath The Tree": Listen". Idolator. Spin Media. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
- ^
Sciarretto, Amy (October 18, 2013). "Listen to Kelly Clarkson 'Underneath the Tree' Christmas Single". PopCrush. Townsquare Media. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
{{cite web}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|work=
(help) - Wood, Mikael (October 18, 2013). "Listen to Kelly Clarkson's new Christmas song 'Underneath the Tree'". Los Angeles Times. Tribune Company. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
- Rodman, Sarah (October 28, 2013). "Album Review: Kelly Clarkson's 'Wrapped in Red' - Music". The Boston Globe. Boston Globe Media Partners, LLC. Archived from the original on October 28, 2013. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
- Hampp, Andrew (October 22, 2013). "Q4 Label Special: RCA's Tom Corson and Peter Edge on Miley, Britney & JT, the Adult Xmas Market, 'Focusing on Hip-Hop & Rock' (From the Magazine)". Billboard. 125 (41). Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
-
Rubenstein, Jenna Hally (October 18, 2013). "Listen To Kelly Clarkson's Insta-Christmas Classic: 'Underneath The Tree'". MTV. Viacom Media Networks. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
{{cite web}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|work=
(help) - Cinquemani, Sal (October 23, 2013). "Kelly Clarkson: Wrapped in Red — Music Review — Slant Magazine". Slant Magazine. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
- ^ "'Underneath The Tree' Lyric Video Has Kelly Clarkson Getting Festive". The Huffington Post. AOL. October 28, 2013. Retrieved August 20, 2013.
- Lansky, Sam (October 28, 2013). "Kelly Clarkson's "Underneath The Tree" Gets A Cute Lyric Video: Watch". Idolator. Spin Media. Retrieved October 29, 2013.