Yesterday I gave the honor of my annual ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’ rendition to Kelly Clarkson. So forgive the redundancy when I return to the gifted singer today for my final post of Christmas week.
Ariana Grande’s ‘Santa Tell Me’ is the only 21st century Christmas song to reach the top five, but there is another modern-day yuletide tune giving it a run for its money. Clarkson’s ‘Underneath the Tree,’ written by the singer with producer Gregg Kurstin and released in 2013, has become a new holiday staple, peaking at #9 on the most recent Billboard chart.
The song was included on Clarkson’s album Wrapped in Red, which featured 11 Christmas classics and five original tunes. The album performed well, reaching Platinum status, and first single ‘Underneath the Tree’ was the breakout hit.
It’s nice to see Ariana Grande and Kelly Clarkson join the ranks, as both songwriters and singers, of great Christmas performers. Along with Mariah Carey and Wham!, they have songs that sit alongside classics by Irving Berlin, Brenda Lee, Nat “King” Cole, and Dean Martin.
You’re here where you should be
Snow is falling as the carolers sing
It just wasn’t the same
Alone on Christmas day
Presents, what a beautiful sight
Don’t mean a thing if you ain’t holding me tight
You’re all that I need
Underneath the tree
[Verse 1]
Tonight (Tonight), I’m gonna hold you close (Ooh)
Make sure that you know (Know)
I was lost before you (Ooh)
Christmas was cold and grey (Ooh)
Another holiday (So alone)
Alone to celebrate
[Pre-Chorus]
But then (But then), one day (One day)
Everything changed
You’re all I need
Underneath the tree
[Chorus]
You’re here where you should be
Snow is falling as the carolers sing
It just wasn’t the same
Alone on Christmas day
Presents, what a beautiful sight
Don’t mean a thing if you ain’t holding me tight
You’re all that I need
Underneath the tree
[Verse 2]
I found (I found) what I was looking for (Ooh)
A love that’s meant for me (Me)
A heart that’s mine completely (Ooh)
Knocked me right off my feet (Ooh)
And this year I will fall (For you)
With no worries at all
[Pre-Chorus]
‘Cause you (‘Cause you) are near (Are near)
And everything’s clear
You’re all I need
Underneath the tree
[Chorus]
You’re here where you should be
Snow is falling as the carolers sing
It just wasn’t the same
Alone on Christmas day
Presents, what a beautiful sight
Don’t mean a thing if you ain’t holding me tight
You’re all that I need
Underneath the tree
[Bridge]
And then, one day, everything changed
You’re all I need
Underneath the tree, yeah
[Chorus]
You’re here where you should be (Oh yeah)
Snow is falling as the carolers sing (Oh, yeah, yeah)
It just wasn’t the same (Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Alone on Christmas day
Presents, what a beautiful sight (Oh, you’re all I need)
Don’t mean a thing if you ain’t holding me tight (Underneath my tree)
You’re all that I need (Underneath my tree, yeah)
Underneath the tree, tonight
[Outro]
Oh, you’re all I need
Underneath, underneath the tree, oh
Meet Me In Montauk 