It Was A... (Masked Christmas)

It Was A... (Masked Christmas)
General information
Artists	Jimmy Fallon, Ariana Grande, Megan Thee Stallion
Release Date	December 7, 2021
Recorded	2021
Genre	Holiday
Length	3:00 3:04 (Demo)
Label	Republic Records
Songwriter(s)	Myles William, Rami, ALDAE, Ido Zmishlany, Jimmy Fallon, Megan Thee Stallion & Ariana Grande
Producer(s)	Myles William & Ido Zmishlany
Singles chronology
Previous	"Just Look Up"
Current	"It Was A... (Masked Christmas)"
Next	"Santa, Can't You Hear Me"
Music Video

"It Was A... (Masked Christmas)" is a holiday-themed collaboration by Jimmy Fallon, featuring Megan Thee Stallion, and Ariana Grande. It premiered on the The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon on December 7, 2021. The song was written by Myles William, Rami, ALDAE & Ido Zmishlany and produced by William and Zmishlany.

Background

Fallon announced the release of the song on December 6, 2021 via social media. The track serves as a reminder for listeners to get their booster shots and follow COVID safety protocols during the holidays. Megan comes in with some particularly funny lines, rapping, “Put Purell on everything/turkey, eggnog, candy cane!” Fallon and Grande go skiing by hitting the slopes, and even have a socially distance love connection moment. Before premiering the song, Fallon stated “It’s basically about, like, how last year [referring to 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic] was just rough on everybody,” “And you know, I just wanted to say it’s going to get better. It really is going to get better, trust me.”

Prior to the song's premiere, Grande tweeted "the most fun ever. love you !!! both [referring to Stallion and Fallon] so much @theestallion."

A demo of the song leaked on June 14, 2023. The demo has a similar melody to "Last Christmas." Megan also isn't featured on the demo as her verse wasn't recorded yet. ( listen)

Cover art

The song's cover art features three animated characters that represent Grande, Fallon, and Megan respectively. In the image, the characters are holding hands while wearing masks and Christmas-themed clothing.

Song's Lyrics

The song highlights how the pandemic has affected traditional Christmas celebrations, with people staying at home, wearing masks, and social distancing. The chorus emphasizes the importance of getting a COVID-19 booster shot to protect oneself and others during the holiday season. The verse by Ariana Grande and Jimmy Fallon talks about the longing for human connection during the holidays, especially in the face of isolation and social distancing.

The second verse by Megan Thee Stallion talks about her determination to make the most out of the holiday season and to have fun with her loved ones, despite the challenges of the pandemic. The song ends with a reminder that getting a booster shot is a crucial step in staying safe during the holiday season.

Critical reception

In their review of the song, Entertainment Tonight stated "It Was a (Masked Christmas)" brings all the retro ho-ho-holiday charm of a "Last Christmas," very Wham! featuring George Michael vibes." Pop culture webite "Lainey Gossip" compares the song to an Saturday Night Live skit: "The music video is pure SNL – the dramatic lip-syncing, over-acting, awkward dance breaks, and hilarious visuals are all SNL signatures, and of course SNL is known for holiday music parodies. And like so many SNL skit songs, it’s actually pretty catchy, Jimmy’s vocals work well with Ariana’s. Before its world premiere on his show, Jimmy spoke about how it was supposed to be comedic, but ended up being something he’s proud of. He even had a little bit of a fanboy moment over the fact that Ariana and Meg were down to record it with him."

Music Video

The music video for “It Was a … (Masked Christmas)” premiered on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon. It is directed by Dan Opsal. The music video opens with Stallion saying, “Y’all know what time it is. It’s time to get those boosters.” From there, Fallon and Grande appear doing cozy seasonal activities like wearing sweaters in front of a fireplace and skiing, as they sing the chorus: “It was a masked Christmas, we stayed in the house / We covered our nose, and covered our mouth / But it’s Christmas time / We’ll be in line for the booster.” In the music video, Ariana and Jimmy are seen wearing a pair of '80s-inspired snowsuits — Ari in white, Jimmy in purple. Megan, who first appeared in the video in a nurse uniform and syringe nails, later joined in on the outerwear trend with her own snowsuit, a more classic, tight black-and-white number. Jimmy and Ariana also wore a cozier set of outfits throughout the video. The talk show host appeared in an oversize cable-knit sweater and tan slacks, complementing Ari's off-the-shoulder sweater dress and little Moncler vest, which she paired with a furry beret, heart-shaped purse, and knee-high lace-up boots with pom-poms.

Gallery

“deep breaths, tight chest, life, death” To view the It Was A... (Masked Christmas) gallery, click here.

Lyrics

[Intro: Megan Thee Stallion]
What's up, y'all?
It's Megan Thee Stallion, Ariana Grande and Jimmy Fallon
Y'all know what time it is
It's time to get those boosters
Hahaha, ah

[Chorus: Jimmy Fallon & Ariana Grande]
It was a masked Christmas, we stayed in the house
We covered our nose and covered our mouth
But it's Christmas time
We'll be in line for a booster (For a booster)
It was a masked Christmas
We hopped on a Zoom (Hopped on a Zoom)
I can only get WiFi in the laundry room (Laundry room)
But it's Christmas time
We'll be in line for a booster

[Verse 1: Ariana Grande & Jimmy Fallon]
I need somebody to hold tonight
'Cause it's gonna snow ('Cause it's gonna snow)
I need somebody to hold me tight
And never lеt go (Never let go)
So say that you'rе coming home
You know it's Christmas Eve
Last year I was here alone
Don't tell me this year's the same (Say it's not the same)
The same

[Chorus: Jimmy Fallon & Ariana Grande]
It was a masked Christmas, we stayed in the house (We stayed in the house)
We covered our nose and covered our mouth (And covered our mouth)
But it's Christmas time
We'll be in line for a booster (For a booster)
It was a masked Christmas
We hopped on a Zoom (Hopped on a Zoom)
I can only get WiFi in the laundry room (Laundry room)
But it's Christmas time
We'll be in line for a booster

[Verse 2: Megan Thee Stallion & Ariana Grande]
Ay, ay, ay
This Christmas I'ma make it count (Make it count)
No more quarantine on the couch (Yeah)
This year hang that mistletoe (Mistletoe)
I'ma kiss everybody that I know (Muah)
This year's different, you can tell
Deck those halls and jingle bells
Put Purell on everything (What?)
Turkey, egg nog, candy cane (Ooh)
Hey ho
There’s a good chance of snow
Hey ho
Somebody wipe Rudolph's nose
Ho hey
I promise we'll be okay
'Cause now we're in line for a booster

[Chorus: Jimmy Fallon & Ariana Grande]
It was a masked Christmas, we stayed in the house (We stayed in the house)
We covered our nose and covered our mouth (And covered our mouth)
But it's Christmas time
We'll be in line for a booster (For a booster)
It was a masked Christmas
We hopped on a Zoom (Hopped on a Zoom)
I can only get WiFi in the laundry room (Laundry room)
But it's Christmas time
We'll be in line for a booster (For a booster)

Trivia

• 'It Was A... (Masked Christmas)' is not the first collaboration between Fallon and Megan Thee Stallion; in 2019, they teamed up for a Tonight Show sketch declaring “Hot Girl Fall,” celebrating pumpkin beer and cable knit sweaters.
• This marks Grande's second collaboration with Megan Thee Stallion, the first being the 34+35 remix.