Step Into Christmas
Encyclopedia
"Step into Christmas" is a Christmas song by Elton John
(Music by Elton John, Lyrics by Bernie Taupin
) released in 1973
. It was originally released as a stand-alone single in 1973 with the B-Side "Ho! Ho! Ho! (Who'd Be a Turkey at Christmas)", peaking at #23 in the UK. Due to Billboard magazine's editorial policy it was held off the Hot 100. It did, however, make #1 on a specially designated Christmas chart, and it appeared in the Cashbox Top 100 charts. It was later included as a bonus track on the 1995 remastered reissue of the album Caribou
, even though it was released in the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
days. It also appears on the albums Elton John's Christmas Party
, Rare Masters
, To Be Continued
, and The Best Christmas Album in the World...Ever! There are differences on the vocals between the promotional video and standalone song.
According to liner notes about the song by Elton John and Bernie Taupin (in "Rare Masters" and "Elton John's Christmas Party"), the track and its b-side, both produced by Gus Dudgeon, were recorded during a quickie session at Morgan Studios in London, owned by drummer Barry Morgan, who had played on several of Elton's early albums. "Step Into Christmas" was mixed to sound like one of producer Phil Spector's record, using lots of compression and imitating his trademark "wall of sound" technique. This was according to both Elton and Taupin intentional, an homage of sorts to Christmas songs by Spector-produced groups such as The Ronettes. In 2009, "Step into Christmas" was the 9th most played Christmas song
in the UK.
on their 1992 album Hit Parade II, and also covered by The Business
for the Bollocks to Christmas EP.
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
(Music by Elton John, Lyrics by Bernie Taupin
Bernie Taupin
Bernard John "Bernie" Taupin is an English lyricist, poet, and singer, best known for his long-term collaboration with Elton John, writing the lyrics for the majority of the star's songs, making his lyrics some of the best known in pop-rock's history.In 1967, Taupin answered an advertisement in...
) released in 1973
1973 in music
-January–April:*January 9 – Mick Jagger's request for a Japanese visa is rejected on account of a 1969 drug conviction, putting an abrupt end to The Rolling Stones' plans to perform in Japan during their forthcoming tour.*January 14...
. It was originally released as a stand-alone single in 1973 with the B-Side "Ho! Ho! Ho! (Who'd Be a Turkey at Christmas)", peaking at #23 in the UK. Due to Billboard magazine's editorial policy it was held off the Hot 100. It did, however, make #1 on a specially designated Christmas chart, and it appeared in the Cashbox Top 100 charts. It was later included as a bonus track on the 1995 remastered reissue of the album Caribou
Caribou (album)
Caribou is the 8th studio album by British singer/songwriter Elton John, released in 1974 . It was John's 4th chart-topping album in the U.S. and his 3rd in the U.K. The album contains the singles, "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me", which reached # 16 in the UK Singles Chart and # 2 in the U.S.,...
, even though it was released in the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, released in 1973, is the seventh studio album by British singer-songwriter Elton John. It has come to be regarded as Elton John's best and most popular album, and is his best selling studio album with worldwide sales of at least 15 million copies.Recorded at the Château...
days. It also appears on the albums Elton John's Christmas Party
Elton John's Christmas Party
Elton John's Christmas Party is a Christmas-themed compilation album from British singer-songwriter Elton John. It features his 1973 Christmas single, "Step into Christmas", and a new duet with Joss Stone, "Calling It Christmas".-Release and re-release:...
, Rare Masters
Rare Masters
Rare Masters is an album by Elton John that was released in 1992. This compilation album featuring B-sides and outtakes recorded between 1968 and 1975, it is the only place where one can find the soundtrack to the 1971 movie Friends on CD....
, To Be Continued
To Be Continued
To Be Continued... is a 4 CD/4 cassette box set detailing Elton John's music from his days with Bluesology to the then-present day. Four new songs were recorded for the box set...
, and The Best Christmas Album in the World...Ever! There are differences on the vocals between the promotional video and standalone song.
According to liner notes about the song by Elton John and Bernie Taupin (in "Rare Masters" and "Elton John's Christmas Party"), the track and its b-side, both produced by Gus Dudgeon, were recorded during a quickie session at Morgan Studios in London, owned by drummer Barry Morgan, who had played on several of Elton's early albums. "Step Into Christmas" was mixed to sound like one of producer Phil Spector's record, using lots of compression and imitating his trademark "wall of sound" technique. This was according to both Elton and Taupin intentional, an homage of sorts to Christmas songs by Spector-produced groups such as The Ronettes. In 2009, "Step into Christmas" was the 9th most played Christmas song
Christmas music
Christmas music comprises a variety of genres of music normally performed or heard around the Christmas season, which tends to begin in the months leading up the actual holiday and end in the weeks shortly thereafter.-Early:...
in the UK.
Other versions
It was covered by the band The Wedding PresentThe Wedding Present
The Wedding Present are a British indie rock group based in Leeds, England, formed in 1985 from the ashes of the Lost Pandas. The band's music has evolved from fast-paced indie rock in the vein of their most obvious influences The Fall, Buzzcocks and Gang of Four to more varied forms...
on their 1992 album Hit Parade II, and also covered by The Business
The Business (band)
The Business are an English Oi!/punk rock band formed in 1979 in Lewisham, South London. Their album Suburban Rebels became influential in the Oi! movement...
for the Bollocks to Christmas EP.