"Oh Santa!" is a remix by Mariah Carey featuring Ariana Grande and Jennifer Hudson for the tenth anniversary of the song. It was released on December 4, 2020 with a music video. The original song from Carey's second Christmas album, Merry Christmas II You, was released on October 1, 2010.[1] The remix served as the lead single from Carey's second soundtrack album, Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special.
Commercially, the song debuted at number 76 on the US Billboard Hot 100.[2] It also debuted at #1 on the Holiday Digital Song Sales chart[3]
Background[]
On October 9, 2020, Mariah shared a picture of three directors chairs on set, each brandishing a set of initials: AG, MC and JH.[4] Carey didn't share any further information about the image, but she did caption her post with a Christmas tree emoji.[5] On November 18, Ariana confirmed the collaboration with Carey.[6] Additionally, it was also revealed on this date that their collaboration was for the remix of "Oh Santa!"[7] The release of "Oh Santa!" coincides with the release of Carey's Apple TV+ original, Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Special. Both were released on December 4, 2020.[6]
Cover art[]
The cover art for the single was revealed on December 3, 2020. [8]
Composition[]
The lyrics of "Oh Santa" tell the story of a person who is missing their loved one during the Christmas season. The song opens with Jennifer Hudson and Ariana Grande, singing that Santa is going to come and make their loved one theirs this Christmas. Mariah Carey joins in, addressing Santa in the lyrics, asking him to help her out by bringing back her loved one, despite the busyness of the season.
In the pre-chorus, Carey and the other vocalists mention seeing her loved one shopping with their new partner, but she still believes that Santa will make her loved one theirs this Christmas night. The chorus repeats the sentiment that Santa will come and make her loved one theirs, with the repeated use of "ho, ho, ho" adding to the Christmas theme of the song.
In the second verse, Hudson and Grande sing to Santa, asking him to make sure he can safely navigate through the snow with his reindeer so that he can bring their loved one to them. They express that they have been good all year and hope that Santa will grant their wish for their loved one to return to them. The pre-chorus and chorus are repeated again, with the addition of background vocals.
The final verse sees Carey again addressing Santa, promising not to forget the milk and cookies and describing the festive decorations in her home. She expresses that despite the festive cheer around her, she feels empty without her loved one. The chorus is repeated several times, with Carey's voice leading the final refrain, expressing her hope that Santa will come and make her loved one theirs this Christmas.
Critical reception[]
The remix received positive reviews on release.[9] Billboard writer Rania Aniftos wrote that the three singers "trading verses and harmonies" amounts for a "truly angelic result". Chris Murphy, writer for Vulture went on to say that "the trio, the remix, and the accompanying music video absolutely makes the nice list in every possible way."[10]
Author Ineye Komonibo from Refinery29 described the visuals for the remix as delightfully cheery. She also stated "Carey and Grande even stunted on us with a two-part harmonized whistle note that has been stuck in my brain since last night."[11] Wonderland Magazine described the collaboration as being a "Charlie’s Angels link-up of the best female vocalists on earth, today." They also described the song as being "a festive extravaganza laden with whistle tones and some of the best vocals known to man."[12] Harper's Bazaar stated "The remix is a testament to the vocal prowess of the three singers, with the cheerful holiday hit allowing a change for each diva to showcase her powerhouse vocals. The song's highlight, however, comes when Carey and Grande harmonize toward the end—their signature whistle registers merging to create a heavenly sound. It's a moment longtime fans of both songstresses never thought they would live to see. Just try not to get chills."[13]
Live performance[]
The song was first performed on December 9, 2023, at Carey's "Merry Christmas One And All!" concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Music Video[]
The music video was released on December 4, 2020.[14] It was directed by Hamish Hamilton and Roman Coppola.[15] The plot consists of Mariah, Jennifer and Ariana in Santa's toy workshop.[16]
Lyric Video[]
A lyric video was released on December 9, 2020[17]
Gallery[]
Videos[]
Lyrics[]
[Intro: Background Vocalists, Jennifer Hudson & Ariana Grande]
Oh, Santa's gonna come and make him mine this Christmas
Santa's gonna come and make him mine, mine (Oh, Santa)
Oh, Santa's gonna come and make him mine this Christmas (Oh, Santa)
Santa's gonna come and make him mine, mine
[Verse 1: Mariah Carey, Jennifer Hudson & Ariana Grande]
Santa, if you get this letter, won't you help me out?
I know you're kind of busy with your elves right now
And I don't know how
You do the things you do when I sleep on Christmas Eve
But it's amazing
And I bet that you could bring me back my baby
Because every time I see Christmas lights
I feel this void inside and I just can't take it
[Pre-Chorus: Mariah Carey, Ariana Grande, All]
I saw them shopping last week
And his new girl was so bleak
And then I swore to myself
Santa's gonna come and make him minе this Christmas night
[Chorus: Mariah Carey, Jennifer Hudson & Ariana Grande]
Ho, ho, ho
Santa's gon' come and make him mine this Christmas
Santa's gon' comе and make him mine, ho, ho, ho
Santa's gon' come and make him mine this Christmas night
[Verse 2: Jennifer Hudson, Ariana Grande, Mariah Carey, All]
Oh, Santa, I heard that it's really gonna snow this year
So, I hope Rudolph and his other eight reindeer get you safely here
So, you can swoop him up and swoop him right down my chimney
I've been really, really, really good this year
So, put on that red suit and make him appear
Because Christmas cheer just ain't the same without my baby
Come on ol' Kris Kringle, save me
[Pre-Chorus: Mariah Carey, Jennifer Hudson, Ariana Grande, All]
They say it's unrealistic, but I believe in you, Saint Nick
So, grant this wish for me right quick
Santa won't you come and make him mine this Christmas night?
[Chorus: All, Jennifer Hudson, (Ariana Grande), Background Vocalists]
Ho, ho, ho
Santa's gon' come and make him mine this Christmas
Santa's gon' come and make him mine, ho, ho, ho
Santa's gon' make him mine this Christmas night
Oh Santa, oh Santa (Oh)
Santa's gon' come and make him mine this Christmas
Santa's gon' come and make him mine, mine
Santa's gon' come and make him mine this Christmas
Santa's gon' come and make him mine, mine
Oh, oh, oh, oh
[Verse 3: Mariah Carey, Jennifer Hudson, & Ariana Grande]
Oh, Santa Claus
If you get this letter, please don't make me wait
'Cause all December, I've been counting down the days
So, hop on your sleigh
I promise that I won't forget the milk and cookies
The tree's all sparkly and gold
But inside, I feel so cold
So, as soon as you leave the North Pole
Santa, won't you come and make him mine this Christmas?
[Chorus: Background Vocalists, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Hudson, (Ariana Grande)]
Santa's gon' come and make him mine, ho, ho, ho
(Santa's gon' come and make him mine)
Santa's gon' come and make him mine this christmas
(Oh, I know you will)
Santa's gon' come and make him mine, ho, ho, ho (Whoa, whoa)
Santa's gon' come and make him mine, mine (Santa)
(Hey, I know he will)
Santa's gon' come and make him mine, ho, ho, ho
Santa's gon' come and make him mine this Christmas
Santa's gon' come and make him mine, ho, ho, ho
Santa's gon' come and make him mine, mine
[Outro: Mariah Carey]
Oh, Santa's gon' come and make you mine this Christmas
References[]
- ↑ Vulture — Mariah Carey Adds Two Little Helpers to ‘Oh Santa!’ Remix
- ↑ Mariah Carey's 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' Jingles Back to No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 — Billboard
- ↑ Holiday Digital Songs Sales Chart — Billboard December 19, 2020
- ↑ NME — Mariah Carey teases possible new Christmas track with Ariana Grande and Jennifer Hudson
- ↑ Twitter — @Mariah Carey (Oct 9. 2020) 🎄
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Twitter — #MariahsMagicalChristmas coming to @appletv on december 4th (no i’m not okay nor will i ever recover) love u forever @mariahcarey
- ↑ The Hollywood Reporter — Ariana Grande, Jennifer Hudson Confirmed for Mariah Carey's Apple TV+ Christmas Special
- ↑ Twitter — @Mariah Carey MC x AG x JH
- ↑ "Mariah Carey, Ariana Grande & Jennifer Hudson Have Blessed Us With 'Oh Santa!'" - Billboard.
- ↑ "The Holy Trinity, a.k.a. Mariah, J.Hud, and Ariana, Blesses Us With 'Oh Santa' Remix" - Vulture.
- ↑ Mariah Carey & Ariana Grande’s Harmonised Whistle Note Just Saved Christmas — Refinery29
- ↑ Wonderland Wonderlist 12/04/20 — Wonderland Magazine
- ↑ Three Queens Gather to Save Christmas — Harpers Bazaar
- ↑ Idolator — Mariah Carey Taps Ariana Grande & Jennifer Hudson For “Oh Santa” Remix
- ↑ Mariah Carey - Oh Santa! (Official Music Video) ft. Ariana Grande, Jennifer Hudson — YouTube
- ↑ Mariah Carey, Ariana Grande, And Jennifer Hudson's 'Oh Santa!' Remix Is Here To Cheer You Up — Elle
- ↑ YouTube — Mariah Carey - Oh Santa! (Official Lyric Video) ft. Ariana Grande, Jennifer Hudson