Secret Santa (song)

Last updated

"Secret Santa"
Single by Gwen Stefani
from the album You Make It Feel Like Christmas
ReleasedNovember 30, 2018 (2018-11-30)
Recorded2018
Genre
Length3:26
Label Interscope
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Gwen Stefani singles chronology
"Santa Baby"
(2017)
"Secret Santa"
(2018)
"Nobody but You"
(2020)

"Secret Santa" is a song by American singer Gwen Stefani for the 2018 reissue of her fourth studio album, You Make It Feel Like Christmas (2017). It was written by Stefani, Justin Tranter, and busbee while production was handled by busbee and Eric Valentine. The song was sent to Italian radio stations for airplay on November 30, 2018 as the second single in Italy and the album's third overall. It serves as one of two previously unreleased original tracks on the reissued album. "Secret Santa" is a Christmas pop ballad accompanied by an acoustic guitar and castanets. It contains flirtatious lyrics and metaphors that reference the Christmas tradition of Secret Santa.

Contents

Critically, "Secret Santa" was noted as an adult-oriented Christmas song; Stefani compared the song to the 1953 single "Santa Baby". One music critic felt it helped enhance the parent album's track listing and was a Christmas crowd pleaser. In the United States, "Secret Santa" was the deluxe edition's most successful song on Billboard 's Holiday Digital Song Sales component chart. It debuted and peaked at number 17 in November 2018 and became one of sixteen consecutive top 40 entries for Stefani. Italian singer-songwriter Tiziano Ferro released a cover of "Secret Santa" to his Instagram account on Christmas Eve in 2018.

Background and recording

Stefani co-wrote "Secret Santa" with American singer-songwriter Justin Tranter (shown). Justin Tranter 2009 Tribeca portrait.jpg
Stefani co-wrote "Secret Santa" with American singer-songwriter Justin Tranter (shown).

In October 2017, Gwen Stefani released her first Christmas album, You Make It Feel Like Christmas , a collection of six original songs and six covers of Christmas standards. [1] Before the holiday season, the singer took to her social media accounts in September 2018 to announce a deluxe version of the album due for release on October 26. [2] According to Stefani, the 2017 release was successful enough to warrant the addition of new tracks. [3] Handled by Interscope Records, the reissue features five new songs, including two originals – "Cheer for the Elves" and "Secret Santa" – composed by Stefani, Justin Tranter, and Busbee. [4]

Alongside the deluxe edition release of You Make It Feel Like Christmas, "Secret Santa" was made available for digital consumption on October 26, 2018. [5] In Italy, the song was marketed as a single and distributed for nationwide airplay on November 30 of the same year. [6] It serves as the second Italian single and third overall from You Make It Feel Like Christmas; [7] in Italy, her cover of “Santa Baby” served as the album's lead single, [8] whereas the title track was marketed as the first in the United States. [9]

On December 24, 2018, Italian singer-songwriter Tiziano Ferro released a cover of "Secret Santa" to his official Instagram account. The video's caption read: "Times change, but my love and gratitude for [my fans] does not. My friends, I hope you have a fantastic Christmas." [10]

Composition and lyrics

"Secret Santa" is a romantic Christmas pop ballad. [11] The song's beat contains overlays of an acoustic guitar and castanets arrangements. [11] The production was handled by Busbee and Eric Valentine, the two producers for the entirety of You Make It Feel Like Christmas. Additional instrumentation for the song was provided by a full orchestra, consisting of instruments such as drums, keyboards, trombones, trumpets, strings, violas, and violins. [12] "Secret Santa" was engineered by Valentine and mixed by Dave Clauss. Jonathan Sterling served as assistant engineer whereas Busbee and Dave Way served as lead vocals engineers with assistance from Peter Chun. Laura Mace, Monet Owens, and Dolly Sparks provided background vocals for the track with arrangements from Grace Potter. [12] During the songwriting process, Stefani was determined to create a "classic Christmas carol" that would become a repeat listen year after year; from her sessions with Tranter and Busbee, she created eight original songs, with "Secret Santa" being one of them. [3]

Lyrically, the song tells the story of a couple who are preparing to exchange Christmas presents with each other as part of the Secret Santa Christmas tradition, but have decided to complete the swap intimately and at midnight. [11] When interviewed during a Billboard podcast in 2018, Stefani herself described the song as better suited for adults. She said: "['Secret Santa'] sort of reminds me of like a 'Santa Baby' lane ... in the sense of like a little sexy song." [3] Within the chorus, Stefani sings: "Let's play Secret Santa in the dark / Don't tell anybody where we are / There's no limit to the ways that we can celebrate / A midnight gift exchange of heart". [12]

Reception

Giulia Ciavarelli, from the Italian magazine TV Sorrisi e Canzoni , described "Secret Santa" as the perfect Christmas party anthem. In regards to its addition on the deluxe edition of You Make It Feel Like Christmas, Ciavarelli suggested that it does not change the album's tone, but rather enriches it. [11] Keith Caulfield and Katie Atkinson, both writers for Billboard, described "Secret Santa" as the exact opposite of the deluxe edition's other new song ("Cheer for the Elves"), writing that it "goes in a more grown-up direction". [3]

In the United States, "Secret Santa" did not enter Billboard's Digital Songs chart, but rather the Holiday Digital Song Sales component chart. On the edition for the week ending November 10, 2018, the song debuted and peaked at number 17, becoming the highest new entry from the 2018 deluxe edition of You Make It Feel Like Christmas and one of five tracks to be ranked on that particular issue. It was her seventh highest-peaking song and one of sixteen consecutive top 40 hits on the chart. [13]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of You Make It Feel Like Christmas. [12]

Charts

Chart performance for "Secret Santa"
Chart (2018)Peak
position
US Holiday Digital Song Sales (Billboard) [13] 17

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Secret Santa"
RegionDateFormatLabelRef.
United StatesOctober 26, 2018 Digital download Interscope [5]
ItalyNovember 30, 2018 Contemporary hit radio Universal Music Group [6]

Related Research Articles

Gwen Stefani American singer and songwriter

Gwen Renée Stefani is an American singer, rapper, songwriter, fashion designer and actress. She is a co-founder, lead vocalist, and the primary songwriter of the band No Doubt, whose singles include "Just a Girl", "Spiderwebs", and "Don't Speak", from their 1995 breakthrough studio album Tragic Kingdom, as well as "Hey Baby" and "It's My Life" from later albums.

Santa Baby A Christmas song

"Santa Baby" is a song performed by American singer Eartha Kitt with Henri René and His Orchestra and originally released in 1953. The song was written by Joan Javits and Philip Springer, who also used the pseudonym Tony Springer in an attempt to speed up the song's publishing process. Lyrically, the song is a tongue-in-cheek look at a Christmas list addressed to Santa Claus by a woman who wants extravagant gifts such as sables, yachts, and decorations from Tiffany's.

Gwen Stefani discography

American singer Gwen Stefani has released four studio albums, one extended play, 31 singles, five promotional singles, one video album, and 28 music videos. She has sold more than nine million albums as a solo artist. Stefani is also the lead singer of the rock band No Doubt, with which she has released several albums.

"Sleigh Ride" is a light orchestra standard composed by Leroy Anderson. The composer had formed the original idea for the piece during a heat wave in July 1946, and he finished the work in February 1948. The original recordings were instrumental versions. The lyrics, about riding in a sleigh and other fun wintertime activities, were written by Mitchell Parish in 1950. Anderson also made arrangements for wind band and piano.

Justin Tranter American singer-songwriter

Justin Drew Tranter is an American singer, songwriter and activist. Frequently co-writing with Julia Michaels, Tranter has written songs for artists such as Britney Spears, Gwen Stefani, Linkin Park, Kelly Clarkson, Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber, DNCE, Kesha, Imagine Dragons, Fifth Harmony, 5 Seconds of Summer, Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, Bea Miller, Demi Lovato, Dua Lipa, Måneskin, and Fall Out Boy. From 2004 to 2014, Tranter was the lead singer of Semi Precious Weapons, a rock band based in New York. Since February 2017, they have been a board member of GLAAD, an organization that promotes LGBT acceptance in the entertainment and news industries.

<i>Push and Shove</i> (album) 2012 studio album by No Doubt

Push and Shove is the sixth studio album by American rock band No Doubt. It was released on September 21, 2012, by Interscope Records. The album serves as a comeback album for the band, as their last album, Rock Steady, was released 11 years prior. A deluxe edition of Push and Shove features acoustic versions and remixes of several tracks, as well as "Stand and Deliver", a song No Doubt had covered in 2009.

Used to Love You 2015 single by Gwen Stefani

"Used to Love You" is a song recorded by American singer Gwen Stefani for her third studio album, This Is What the Truth Feels Like (2016). It was written by Stefani, Justin Tranter, Julia Michaels, J.R. Rotem and Teal Douville, and produced by Rotem. After scrapping the album and its two singles, "Baby Don't Lie", and "Spark the Fire", in favor to start over, Interscope Records released "Used to Love You" as the album's first official single on October 20, 2015. It was then serviced to mainstream radio on October 27, 2015.

Misery (Gwen Stefani song) 2016 single by Gwen Stefani

"Misery" is a song recorded by American singer Gwen Stefani for her third solo studio album, This Is What the Truth Feels Like (2016). Initially released as a promotional single, it became the record's third and final single on May 23, 2016, when it was sent to hot adult contemporary radio. Stefani co-wrote the song with Justin Tranter, Julia Michaels, Mattias Larsson, and Robin Frediksson, with the latter two serving as the producers. An electropop song, "Misery" uses digital hand clapping and an upbeat samba to produce a futuristic-sounding melody. The lyrics describe a lover who has recently started a relationship and is confused over what to think about it. Several critics drew comparisons between these lyrics to Stefani's personal and romantic life with her boyfriend, Blake Shelton.

Make Me Like You 2016 single by Gwen Stefani

"Make Me Like You" is a song by American singer Gwen Stefani for her third solo studio album, This Is What the Truth Feels Like (2016). The record's second single, it was released digitally on February 12, 2016, and distributed to contemporary hit radio on February 16 in the United States by Interscope. Mattias Larsson and Robin Frediksson produced the song, which was co-written by Stefani, Larsson, Frediksson, Justin Tranter, and Julia Michaels. A pop and disco recording, "Make Me Like You" incorporates light rock, with guitars and digital harps over an uptempo melody. The lyrics, which were inspired by Stefani's relationship with singer Blake Shelton, explore finding and renewing love after a fractured relationship.

<i>This Is What the Truth Feels Like</i> 2016 studio album by Gwen Stefani

This Is What the Truth Feels Like is the third studio album by American singer Gwen Stefani. It was released on March 18, 2016, by Interscope Records. Initially, the album was scheduled to be released in December 2014 with Stefani working with a handful of high-profile producers, and Benny Blanco serving as executive producer. However, after the underperformance of her 2014 singles and the writer's block Stefani suffered, she did not feel comfortable curating an album and scrapped the whole record in favor of starting again. The album's release was scheduled after Stefani hinted at it on her Twitter account.

"Asking 4 It" is a song by American singer and songwriter Gwen Stefani from her third studio album, This Is What the Truth Feels Like (2016). The song features guest vocals from American rapper Fetty Wap. It was released on March 18, 2016, as the ninth track on This Is What the Truth Feels Like by Interscope Records. The track was written by Stefani, Justin Tranter, Julia Michaels, Tor Hermansen, Mikkel Eriksen, and Fetty Wap. The track's production was handled by Stargate, while additional production was made by Tim Blacksmith and Danny D.

"Rare" is a song recorded by American singer and songwriter Gwen Stefani from her third studio album, This Is What the Truth Feels Like (2016). It was released on March 18, 2016, along with the rest of This Is What the Truth Feels Like by Interscope Records. The track was written by Stefani, Justin Tranter, Julia Michaels, and Greg Kurstin; Kurstin was the track's sole producer.

Christmas Eve (Gwen Stefani song) 2017 song by Gwen Stefani

"Christmas Eve" is a song by American singer and songwriter Gwen Stefani for her fourth studio album, You Make It Feel Like Christmas (2017). The song was written by Stefani, Justin Tranter, and busbee, with the latter of the three handling production alongside Eric Valentine. It was the first song conceived for the album, and "originated from a run Stefani took in rural Oklahoma. Details about the song first emerged in August 2017, when its title appeared as a registered work on two global music databases. The song a slow-burning Christmas ballad with lyrics that reference the holiday season.

My Gift Is You 2017 song by Gwen Stefani

"My Gift Is You" is a song recorded by American singer and songwriter Gwen Stefani for her fourth studio album, You Make It Feel Like Christmas (2017). It was released digitally on October 6, 2017, along with the rest of the parent album, through Interscope Records. The track was written by Stefani, Justin Tranter, and Busbee while production was handled by Busbee and Eric Valentine. Musically, the track is a Christmas song that contains elements of pop-soul music.

"Under the Christmas Lights" is a song recorded by American singer and songwriter Gwen Stefani for her fourth studio album, You Make It Feel Like Christmas (2017). It was written by Stefani, Justin Tranter, and busbee, who co-produced the song with Eric Valentine. The song was released alongside the rest of the album on October 6, 2017 through Interscope Records. Details about the track first emerged in August 2017, when the song title appeared as a registered work on BMI and GEMA. "Under the Christmas Lights" is a pop and Christmas song with a doo-wop melody and romantic lyrics.

<i>You Make It Feel Like Christmas</i> 2017 Gwen Stefani album

You Make It Feel Like Christmas is the fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter Gwen Stefani. The album, which is Stefani's first full-length Christmas-themed album, was released on October 6, 2017, by Interscope Records. The record was executively produced by Stefani and Busbee, with additional production coming from Eric Valentine. The standard version of You Make It Feel Like Christmas contains twelve songs, featuring six original songs penned by Stefani, Busbee and Justin Tranter, and six cover versions of Christmas standards. While going on a nature walk near the Oklahoma ranch house belonging to boyfriend Blake Shelton, Stefani felt inspired to record a Christmas album and began writing what would later become "Christmas Eve". Recording sessions took place in the summer months of 2017; several of the tracks' titles leaked in August, leaving Stefani to confirm the project in September. The album's original songs make references to Stefani's newfound love and relationship with Shelton.

You Make It Feel Like Christmas (song) 2017 single by Gwen Stefani featuring Blake Shelton

"You Make It Feel Like Christmas" is a song by American singer Gwen Stefani from her fourth studio album of the same name (2017). It features guest vocals from her then-boyfriend, Blake Shelton. The song was written by Stefani, Justin Tranter, Shelton and busbee, while production was handled by busbee and Eric Valentine. It was recorded during the summer months, with the song title leaking in August 2017. The song was eventually released for digital download and streaming as the lead single from the album by Interscope on September 22, 2017. It was influenced by popular holiday music from Stefani's childhood and marks Stefani and Shelton's second collaboration following their duet "Go Ahead and Break My Heart" in 2016. A Christmas track, the song includes country and pop music elements, with lyrics describing a romantic holiday season.

<i>Gwen Stefanis You Make It Feel Like Christmas</i>

Gwen Stefani's You Make It Feel Like Christmas is a Christmas television special that aired on December 12, 2017, in the United States on NBC.

Here This Christmas 2020 single by Gwen Stefani

"Here This Christmas" is a song by American singer and songwriter Gwen Stefani for the 2020 reissued edition of her fourth studio album, You Make It Feel Like Christmas (2017). The song was written and produced by Brent Kutzle, with Ryan Tedder and Josh Varnadore also serving as co-writers. Prior to its release, rumors of new music from Stefani circulated throughout 2020 after releasing "Nobody but You" and "Happy Anywhere", with fiancé Blake Shelton, as singles that year. The former of the three remained a secret until it was released as a single for digital download and streaming on October 23, 2020 by Interscope Records, the same day the rest of the reissued album was distributed. The Hallmark Channel announced that the song would be used in advertisements and played on their Sirius XM radio channel in order to promote their seasonal block of programming called Countdown to Christmas.

References

  1. Thomas Erlewine, Stephen. "Gwen Stefani – You Make It Feel Like Christmas". AllMusic. Archived from the original on February 27, 2018. Retrieved October 7, 2016.
  2. Lenniger, Shea (September 28, 2018). "Gwen Stefani Announces Deluxe Christmas Album Release". Billboard . Retrieved December 16, 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Atkinson, Katie; Caulfield, Keith (December 4, 2018). "Gwen Stefani Talks Deluxe Edition of 'You Make It Feel Like Christmas' & 'Magical' Art of Holiday Songwriting". Billboard. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
  4. Lenniger, Shea (October 26, 2018). "Gwen Stefani Releases Deluxe Edition of Her Christmas Album: Stream It Now". Billboard. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
  5. 1 2 "Secret Santa by Gwen Stefani on Amazon Music". Amazon. October 26, 2018. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
  6. 1 2 Forastiero, Eleonora (November 27, 2018). "Gwen Stefani – Secret Santa (Radio Date: 30-11-2018)". Earone (in Italian). Retrieved December 16, 2018.
  7. "'Secret Santa': il Natale secondo Gwen Stefani". Yes Radio (in Italian). November 29, 2018. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
  8. Ceschi, Isabella (December 5, 2017). "Gwen Stefani – Santa Baby (Radio Date: 08-12-2017)". Earone (in Italian). Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  9. Tenreyro, Tatiana (September 21, 2017). "Gwen Stefani Teases 'You Make It Feel Like Christmas' Album: Watch Preview". Billboard . Archived from the original on September 22, 2017. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
  10. "Tiziano Ferro: doppia sorpresa sui social, tra Sfera Ebbasta e Gwen Stefani – Video". Rockol.it (in Italian). December 25, 2018. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
  11. 1 2 3 4 Ciavarelli, Giulia (November 30, 2018). "Gwen Stefani, Secret Santa: il nuovo singolo di Natale". TV Sorrisi e Canzoni (in Italian). Retrieved January 1, 2019.
  12. 1 2 3 4 You Make It Feel Like Christmas (CD liner notes). Gwen Stefani (Deluxe ed.). Interscope. 2018. 02577-07279.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. 1 2 "Gwen Stefani Chart History (Holiday Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved November 6, 2018.