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DJ Play a Christmas Song

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"DJ Play a Christmas Song"
Single by Cher
from the album Christmas
ReleasedOctober 6, 2023
Genre
Length3:29
LabelWarner
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Mark Taylor
Cher singles chronology
"Walls"
(2021) 		"DJ Play a Christmas Song"
(2023)
Lyric video
"DJ Play a Christmas Song" on YouTube

"DJ Play a Christmas Song" is a song by American singer and actress Cher, released as the lead single of her 2023 album Christmas. The song was digitally released on October 6, 2023, by Warner. It was produced by Mark Taylor, with lyrics written by Sarah Hudson, Jessie Saint John, Brett McLaughlin, James Abrahart, Mark Schick and Lionel Crasta.[1] It became Cher's first entry on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 21 years, peaking at number 90 on the chart.[2] It also was number-one on both the US Billboard Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales and Adult Contemporary charts, making Cher the only solo artist to have a number-one song on at least one of the charts in each of the past seven decades.

Composition

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The song is performed in the key of G♭ major with a tempo of 134 beats per minute in common time. It follows a chord progression of G♭sus2 – B♭m7 – C♭(add 2) – D♭sus, with a key change to A♭ major for the last two choruses. Cher's vocals span from G♭3 to C5 in the song.[3] Cher once again applies Auto-Tuning to her vocals as she had previously done and made famous on her 1998 hit song, "Believe".[4]

Promotion and performances

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Cher debuted "DJ Play a Christmas Song" on October 3, 2023, at Silencio nightclub in Paris, performing at a private event hosted by Rabanne and H&M.[5] She later performed the song during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 23, 2023.[6] Cher performed "DJ Play a Christmas Song" on the German TV show Wetten, dass..? on November 25, 2023.[7] She taped her performance for the 91st annual Christmas in Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting on November 19, 2023, and it aired on NBC on November 29, 2023. On December 1, 2023, Cher appeared on The Graham Norton Show, being interviewed and performing the single.[8][9] She performed the song on the finale of Strictly Come Dancing on December 16, 2023.[10] Cher also performed the song for the iHeartRadio's Jingle Ball[11] on December 8, 2023 at Madison Square Garden.[12][13]

Critical reception

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The song received a positive review by Attitude's Jamie Tabberer, who gave the song four out of five stars, calling it a "cut-glass powerhouse pop-dance banger."[14]

Commercial performance

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"DJ Play a Christmas Song" debuted at number 94 on the US Billboard Hot 100 on the chart dated December 30, 2023, becoming Cher's first entry on the Hot 100 since "Song for the Lonely" in May 2002.[15] It rose to number 90 the following week.[16] The song entered the US Billboard Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales chart at number three,[17] becoming her highest-peaking song on that chart.[18] Weeks later, it climbed to number one, making Cher the only solo artist to have had a number-one song on at least one Billboard chart in each of the past seven decades.[19] The song also topped the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart,[20] making it her first single since "If I Could Turn Back Time" to top the chart[21] and spending four consecutive weeks at the top.[20]

In the UK, the song peaked at number 18 on the Official Singles Chart; the song was Cher's first single to reach the Top 20 since 2001's "The Music's No Good Without You". Additionally, Cher became the oldest female artist to have a top-40 hit with new material, as well as being the only solo artist to have a top-40 hit in the UK in seven consecutive decades.[22][23]

In Germany, the song entered the German Singles chart at number 92, and rose to number 62 the following week.[24] In Australia it entered the ARIA Singles Chart at number 45.[25]

Track listing

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Digital download and streaming – Single[26]

  1. "DJ Play a Christmas Song" – 3:29

Digital download and streaming – DJ Mixes[27]

  1. "DJ Play a Christmas Song" (Robin Schulz Remix) – 3:30
  2. "DJ Play a Christmas Song" (Chrome Tapes) – 5:10
  3. "DJ Play a Christmas Song" (Chrome Tapes Instrumental) – 5:10
  4. "DJ Play a Christmas Song" (7th Heaven Club Mix) – 6:41
  5. "DJ Play a Christmas Song" (7th Heaven Club Edit) – 3:47
  6. "DJ Play a Christmas Song" (Guy Scheiman Remix) – 6:02
  7. "DJ Play a Christmas Song" (Extended) – 5:15
  8. "DJ Play a Christmas Song" (Extended Instrumental) – 5:15

Personnel

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Credits are adapted from the liner notes of Christmas.[28]

  • Cher – lead vocals
  • Rita Campbell – background vocals
  • Ash Soan – drums
  • Adam Phillips – guitar
  • Mark Taylor – producer, keyboards, programming, mixing
  • Paul Meehan – keyboards, programming
  • Alex Arias – vocal engineer
  • Gabe Burch – vocal engineer
  • Peter Jensen – assistant vocal engineer
  • Stephen Marcussen – mastering
  • Sarah Hudson – songwriter
  • Jessie Saint John – songwriter
  • Brett McLaughlin – songwriter
  • James Abrahart – songwriter
  • Mark Schick – songwriter
  • Lionel Crasta – songwriter

Charts

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Remix with Kelly Clarkson

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On November 8, 2024, a new version with Kelly Clarkson was released.[50]

Background

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Prior to the remix's release, Clarkson first covered the song as part of her Kellyoke segement on her talk show on December 19, 2023.[51] Cher responded to Clarkson's rendition on her X account claiming that Clarkson had "aced it".[52]

Commercial performance

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The remix with Clarkson entered the Billboard Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales at number three on November 23, 2024,[17][53] making it Clarkson's first entry on the chart.[54]

Track listing

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Digital download and streaming – Single[55]

  1. "DJ Play a Christmas Song" – 4:02

Charts

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Chart performance for "DJ Play a Christmas Song"
Chart (2024) Peak
position
US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[46] 47

Duet with Giovanni Zarrella

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"DJ Play a Christmas Song" (Duet with Giovanni Zarrella)
Single by Cher and Giovanni Zarrella
ReleasedNovember 15, 2024 (2024-11-15)
Length3:29
LabelWarner
Songwriter(s)
  • Sarah Hudson
  • Jesse Saint
  • John Brett McLaughlin
  • James Abrahart
  • Mark Schick
  • Lionel Crasta
Producer(s)Mark Taylor
Giovanni Zarrella singles chronology
"Mi Piace[56]"
(2024) 		"DJ Play a Christmas Song" (Duet with Giovanni Zarrella)
(2024)

On November 15, 2024, a new version with Giovanni Zarrella was released.[57] The song was released as a single to Italian radio stations the same day.[58]

Track listing

[edit]

Digital download and streaming – Single[57]

  1. "DJ Play a Christmas Song" – 3:29

Duet with Belinda

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On November 29, 2024, Cher released a new duet version with Belinda.[59]

Track listing

[edit]

Digital download and streaming – Single[59]

  1. "DJ Play a Christmas Song" – 3:30

Release history

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Release dates and format(s) for "DJ Play a Christmas Song"
Region Date Format Version Label Ref.
Various October 6, 2023
Original Warner [26]
December 1, 2023 DJ Mixes [27][60]
November 8, 2024 Remix with Kelly Clarkson [50][55][61]
November 15, 2024 Duet with Giovani Zarrella [57]
Italy Radio airplay [58]
Various November 29, 2024
  • Digital download
  • streaming
 Duet with Belinda [59]

References

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  1. ^ Paul, Larisha (October 6, 2023). "Cher Is Making Requests on Holiday Single 'DJ Play a Christmas Song'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 6, 2023. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  2. ^ "Cher | Biography, Music & News". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  3. ^ Abrahart Jr, James, John; Saint Geller, Jesse, John; Hudson, Sarah; Mclaughlin, Brett; Schick, Steven Mark; Crasta, Lionel (December 11, 2023). "DJ Play a Christmas Song". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  4. ^ Newman, Melinda (October 6, 2023). "Cher on Making Her First Holiday Record: 'I Had No Intention of Doing a Christmas Album' (Exclusive)". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 6, 2023. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
  5. ^ Bromley, Joe (October 3, 2023). "H&M announce Rabanne collaboration with blow-out Paris bash — and Cher". Yahoo! Finance. Archived from the original on October 26, 2023. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  6. ^ Atkinson, Katie (November 23, 2023). "Cher Takes Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade to the Disco With 'DJ Play a Christmas Song' & Flavor Flav Approves". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 23, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  7. ^ Cher - DJ Play A Christmas Song | "Wetten, dass..?" vom 25. November 2023 | ZDF, November 28, 2023, retrieved November 30, 2023
  8. ^ Roberts, Hannah (December 1, 2023). "Cher says she is the 'least diva-like person' and gives biopic update". The Standard. Archived from the original on December 1, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  9. ^ "Watch: Cher Rocks 'Graham Norton' with 'DJ Play a Christmas Song' As Holiday Hit Enjoys History-Making Hop to #1 on Billboard". That Grape Juice. December 2, 2023. Archived from the original on December 2, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  10. ^ Copson, Josie (December 5, 2023). "One of the biggest popstars of all time confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing". metro.co.uk. Archived from the original on December 5, 2023. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
  11. ^ "Cher - DJ Play a Christmas Song (Live from iHeart Radio's Jingle Ball 2023)" on YouTube
  12. ^ "Cher Joins iHeartRadio Z100's Jingle Ball 2023 Presented by Capital One". iheartmedia.com. Archived from the original on April 18, 2024. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
  13. ^ Richards, Bailey (December 5, 2023). "Cher Joins iHeartRadio's 2023 NYC Jingle Ball Roster — See the Full Lineup!". People. Archived from the original on December 5, 2023. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
  14. ^ Tabberer, Jamie (October 6, 2023). "Cher's 'DJ Play a Christmas Song' single review: 'A pop-dance banger that rejects festive cliches'". attitude. Archived from the original on October 7, 2023. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  15. ^ Trust, Gary (December 26, 2023). "Meghan Trainor, Cher & Chloe Bring New Holiday Cheer to the Hot 100". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 26, 2023. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  16. ^ a b "Cher Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  17. ^ a b "Cher Chart History: Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales". Billboard. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  18. ^ McIntyre, Hugh (October 20, 2023). "Cher Scores The Biggest Hit Of Her Career On One Billboard Chart This Week". Forbes. Archived from the original on October 26, 2023. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  19. ^ McIntyre, Hugh (December 1, 2023). "Cher Has Now Charted A No. 1 Hit In Seven Different Decades". Forbes. Archived from the original on December 1, 2023. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  20. ^ a b c "Cher Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  21. ^ Trust, Gary (December 1, 2023). "Cher's 'DJ Play a Christmas Song' Dashes to No. 1 on Adult Contemporary Chart". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 2, 2023. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
  22. ^ "Cher Chart History". Official Charts. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  23. ^ "Cher breaks all-time UK chart record with DJ Play a Christmas Song". Official Charts. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  24. ^ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts - Offizielle Deutsche Charts". www.offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  25. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. January 1, 2024. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  26. ^ a b "DJ Play A Christmas Song - Single - Album by Cher". Apple Music (US). October 6, 2023. Archived from the original on October 25, 2023. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  27. ^ a b "DJ Play a Christmas Song (DJ Mixes) by Cher". Apple Music (US). January 12, 2024. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  28. ^ Warner Records (2023). Christmas (liner notes). Cher. Warner Records. 093624851196.
  29. ^ "australian-charts.com - Cher - DJ Play A Christmas Song". australian-charts.com. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  30. ^ "Cher – DJ Play a Christmas Song" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  31. ^ "Cher Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  32. ^ "Cher Chart History (Canada AC)". Billboard. Retrieved December 24, 2023.
  33. ^ "ARC 100 - Week 1 (01.01.2024.)". HRT. January 1, 2024. Archived from the original on January 2, 2024. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  34. ^ "Cher – DJ Play a Christmas Song" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  35. ^ "Cher Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  36. ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  37. ^ "OLT20 – Combined Chart – Week of Sunday December 31st, 2023". The Official Lebanese Top 20. December 31, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  38. ^ "2023 52-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. December 29, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  39. ^ "Cher – DJ Play a Christmas Song" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  40. ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. January 1, 2024. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  41. ^ "Veckolista Heatseeker". Sverigetopplistan. December 29, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  42. ^ "Swedish Digital Chart" (in Swedish). DigiListan. December 29, 2023. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  43. ^ "Cher – DJ Play a Christmas Song". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
  44. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  45. ^ "Cher Chart History (Holiday 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  46. ^ a b "Cher Chart History (Hot Dance/Electronic Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  47. ^ "Cher Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  48. ^ "Adult Contemporary Songs – Year-End 2024". Billboard. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
  49. ^ "Hot Dance/Electronic Songs – Year-End 2024". Billboard. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  50. ^ a b Apple Music (NZ) (November 8, 2024). "DJ Play A Christmas Song - Single - Album by Cher & Kelly Clarkson". Apple Music (NZ). Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  51. ^ Bowenbank, Starr (December 19, 2023). "Kelly Clarkson Is Having a Very Cher Christmas With 'DJ Play a Christmas Song' Kellyoke Cover". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 20, 2023. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  52. ^ Aniftos, Rania (December 20, 2023). "Cher Says Kelly Clarkson 'Aced' Her Cover of 'DJ Play a Christmas Song'". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 20, 2023. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  53. ^ McIntyre, Hugh (November 25, 2024). "Cher Charts A Brand New Top 10 Hit–And She's Joined By A Pop Superstar". Forbes. Archived from the original on November 25, 2024. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
  54. ^ McIntyre, Hugh (November 25, 2024). "Kelly Clarkson Earns Her First Hit On A Billboard Chart She's Never Seen Before". Forbes. Archived from the original on November 26, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  55. ^ a b Spotify (UK) (November 7, 2024). "DJ Play A Christmas Song - Single by Cher & Kelly Clarkson". Spotify (UK). Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  56. ^ "Mi Piace - Single". Apple Music (US). September 20, 2024. Archived from the original on November 28, 2024. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  57. ^ a b c "DJ Play A Christmas Song - Single by Cher & Giovanni Zarrella". Apple Music (US). November 15, 2024. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  58. ^ a b Tenaglia, Raffaella. "Cher 'DJ Play A Christmas Song' | (Radio Date: 15/11/2024)". Warner Music Group. Archived from the original on November 20, 2024. Retrieved November 20, 2024 – via Radio Airplay SRL.
  59. ^ a b c "DJ Play a Christmas Song - Single by Cher & Belinda". Apple Music (US). November 29, 2024. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  60. ^ "DJ Play A Christmas Song (DJ Mixes)". Apple Music (UK). December 1, 2023. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  61. ^ "DJ Play A Christmas Song - Single by Cher & Kelly Clarkson". Apple Music (US). November 8, 2024. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
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