Fall in Love at Christmas

2021 single by Mariah Carey, Khalid and Kirk Frankin
"Fall in Love at Christmas"
Single by Mariah Carey, Khalid and Kirk Franklin
ReleasedNovember 5, 2021 (2021-11-05)
Recorded2021
GenreChristmas
Length5:08
Label
  • MARIAH
  • RCA Inspiration
  • Sony Music
Songwriter(s)
  • Mariah Carey
  • Khalid Robinson
  • Kirk Franklin
  • Daniel Moore II
Producer(s)
  • Mariah Carey
  • Kirk Franklin
  • Daniel Moore II
Mariah Carey singles chronology
"Somewhat Loved"
(2021) 		"Fall in Love at Christmas"
(2021) 		"Big Energy" (remix)
(2022)
Khalid singles chronology
"Present"
(2021) 		"Fall in Love at Christmas"
(2021) 		"Last Call"
(2022)
Kirk Franklin singles chronology
"We Win"
(2021) 		"Fall in Love at Christmas"
(2021)
Music video
"Fall in Love at Christmas" on YouTube

"Fall in Love at Christmas" is a holiday song by American musicians 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.[4] 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".[7]

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".[8] 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".[8] 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".[9] 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".[9]

Music video

A music video for the song was filmed at Carey's house and released on her Vevo channel on November 5.[7] 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 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)[13]

  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[14]

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

Weekly chart performance for "Fall in Love at Christmas"
Chart (2021–2023) Peak
position
Hungary (Single Top 40)[15] 19
Japan Hot Overseas (Billboard Japan)[16] 9
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[17] 97
UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[18] 57
US Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[19] 24
US Hot R&B Songs (Billboard)[20] 24
US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay (Billboard)[21] 45
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[22] 31

Release history

Release history for "Fall in Love at Christmas"
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various November 5, 2021 [23]
[12]
United States November 26, 2021 Urban adult contemporary radio [24]

References

  1. ^ Kaufman, Gil (2 November 2021). "Mariah Carey Teams With Apple For New Holiday Special 'Mariah's Christmas: The Magic Continues'". Billboard. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  2. ^ Abraham, Mya (2 November 2021). "Mariah Carey Returns To Apple TV+ For New Holiday Special". Vibe. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  3. ^ Kaufman, Gil (1 November 2021). "Mariah Carey Smashes Pumpkin, Declares Halloween Officially Ovah". Billboard. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  4. ^ a b Skinner, Tom (2 November 2021). "Mariah Carey announces new festive single with Khalid, 'Fall In Love At Christmas'". NME. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  5. ^ Kaufman, Gil (3 November 2021). "Mariah Carey Shares Snippet of Snow-Dusted Power Ballad 'Fall In Love At Christmas'". Billboard. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  6. ^ a b "Mariah Carey Has a New Holiday Song, So Christmas Starts Now". Vulture. 5 November 2021. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  7. ^ a b "Mariah Carey's cheery, new song wants you to 'Fall in Love at Christmas'". New York Post. 5 November 2021. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  8. ^ a b "Mariah Carey (feat. Khalid & Kirk Franklin), 'Fall in Love at Christmas'". NPR. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  9. ^ a b "Mariah Carey's new Christmas single, amazingly, just isn't Christmassy enough". Metro. 5 November 2021. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  10. ^ "Bundle Up, Because Mariah Carey's Wintry 'Fall in Love at Christmas' Video Will Give You Chills". Billboard. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  11. ^ "Watch: Mariah Carey Teams Up With Khalid And Kirk Franklin For 'Fall In Love At Christmas'". Entertainment Tonight. 6 November 2021. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  12. ^ a b "Mariah Carey - Fall In Love At Christmas CD Single". Mariah Carey Shop. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  13. ^ Fall in Love at Christmas (Remixes), 2021-12-03, retrieved 2022-05-20
  14. ^ "Fall In Love At Christmas LP". Mariah Carey Shop. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  15. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  16. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Overseas". Billboard Japan. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  17. ^ "Mariah Carey, Khalid, Kirk Franklin – Fall In Love At Christmas" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  18. ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
  19. ^ "Mariah Carey Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  20. ^ "Mariah Carey". Billboard. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
  21. ^ "Mariah Carey Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  22. ^ "BDS Radio Charts". Broadcast Data Systems. Archived from the original on December 17, 2021. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
  23. ^ "Fall in Love at Christmas - Single by Mariah Carey, Khalid & Kirk Franklin". iTunes. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  24. ^ "Urban/R&B Future Releases". All Access. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
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