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"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 referred 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 was released to Adult Contemporary radio stations 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 its potential to be a holiday classic. They also complimentary compared it to the 1994 modern Christmas standard "All I Want for Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey. Filmed by English director Hamish Hamilton, the accompanying music video for the song features a live performance from the television special Kelly Clarkson's Cautionary Christmas Music Tale at The Venetian Las Vegas.
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 released "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.
Reception
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." 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," while The Independent's Hugh Montgomery applauded it as having a "sass, jingle and a sax solo: a winner on all fronts."
Chart performance
Upon the release of Wrapped in Red, "Underneath the Tree" entered the Billboard Holiday Digital Songs chart as an album cut at number 4 on the week ending November 16, 2013. After being released as a single to Adult Contemporary radio, "Underneath the Tree" debuted at number 21 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart for the week ending November 23, 2013. It topped the chart after three weeks on the week ending December 14, 2013, becoming her third Adult Contemporary number 1 song and her first since "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)" (2012). That same week, it also entered the Billboard Holiday Airplay chart at number 44 and the main Billboard Holiday Songs at number 34, making it her second entry at the Holiday Songs after "I'll Be Home for Christmas" (2011).
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". Its accompanying music video premiered on December 3, 2013 on Vevo, featuring a live performance from the NBC television special Kelly Clarkson's Cautionary Christmas Music Tale, which was filmed by English director Hamish Hamilton.
Live performances
Clarkson first performed "Underneath the Tree" in a live televised performance at The Today Show on November 26, 2013. She is set to perform the song on the fifth season of the American singing competition of The Voice on December 3, 2013.
Track listing
- Digital download – Single
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Underneath the Tree" | 3:49 |
Credits and personnel
- Recording
- Produced at Echo Recording Studio, Los Angeles, California
- Personnel
|
|
Credits lifted from the Wrapped in Red liner notes.
Charts
| Chart (2013) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade) | 30 |
| South Korea International Singles (GAON) | 2 |
| US Adult Contemporary (Billboard) | 1 |
| US Holiday Songs (Billboard) | 34 |
Radio and release history
| Region | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | November 5, 2013 (2013-11-05) | Adult Contemporary radio | RCA Records |
| United Kingdom | November 22, 2013 (2013-11-22) | Digital download |
See also
References
- ^
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) - ^ 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)
- ^ "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.
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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.
- Montgomery, Hugh (November 24, 2013). "Oh come, all ye songsters: This year's Christmas hits ranked and reviewed". The Independent. Independent Print Limited. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
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"Kelly Clarkson Album & Song Chart History". Billboard Holiday Songs for Kelly Clarkson. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|work=(help) - Trust, Gary (November 18, 2013). "Chart Highlights: Johnny Mathis Scores 50th Adult Contemporary Hit". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 19, 2013.
- Trust, Gary (December 2, 2013). "Kelly Clarkson's 'Tree' Tops AC". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved December 3, 2013.
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"Kelly Clarkson Album & Song Chart History". Billboard Holiday Airplay for Kelly Clarkson. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved December 3, 2013.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|work=(help) - ^
"Kelly Clarkson Album & Song Chart History". Billboard Holiday Songs for Kelly Clarkson. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved December 6, 2013.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|work=(help) - ^ "'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.
- Lansky, Sam (December 3, 2013). "Kelly Clarkson Gets Festive In "Underneath The Tree" Video: Watch". Idolator. Spin Media. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
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"Kelly Clarkson's Cautionary Christmas Music Tale". Internet Movie Database. Amazon.com. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|work=(help) - Dawn, Randee (November 25, 2013). "Kelly Clarkson still singing despite 'all day and all night' morning sickness". Today. NBCUniversal. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
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Bibel, Sara (November 27, 2013). "Blake Shelton, Xenia & Kelly Clarkson to Perform on the December 3 Episode of 'The Voice'". TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|work=(help) -
Nededog, Jethro (November 27, 2013). "Kelly Clarkson to Perform New Holiday Single on 'The Voice'". The Wrap. The Wrap News Inc. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|work=(help) - ^
"Underneath the Tree - Single by Kelly Clarkson". iTunes Store. United Kingdom: Apple, Inc. November 22, 2013. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|work=(help) -
"Top 40: Kelly Clarkson - Underneath The Tree". Dutch Top 40 Tipparade. Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Retrieved December 8, 2013.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|work=(help) - "Gaon Album Chart 2013년 11월 5주차" (in Korean). GAON. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
- "Kelly Clarkson Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
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"Underneath The Tree Is Out Now!". KellyClarkson.com. United Kingdom: Sony Music Entertainment. November 25, 2013. Archived from the original on November 26, 2013. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|work=(help)
