Santa Tell Me

"Santa Tell Me"
Single by Ariana Grande
from the album Christmas Kisses
(Japanese reissue)
Released November 24, 2014 (2014-11-24)
Format Digital download
Recorded 2014
Genre
Length 3:24
Label Republic
Writer(s)
Producer(s) Ilya
Ariana Grande singles chronology
"Brand New You"
(2014)		 "Santa Tell Me"
(2014)		 "One Last Time"
(2015)
Music video
"Santa Tell Me" on YouTube

"Santa Tell Me" is a song recorded by American singer Ariana Grande. It was written by Grande, Ilya Salmanzadeh and Savan Kotecha. The song was released on November 24, 2014, via iTunes Stores, as the Christmas original single in America.[1] Musically, the song is a Christmas song with influences of R&B and soul.

Commercially, despite being a Christmas song, "Santa Tell Me" entered the US Billboard Hot 100 and later peaked at number 42 while also entering the record charts of several other nations, including Canada, Netherlands and Japan. The music video was directed by Chris Marrs Piliero and was released on Grande's official Vevo on December 12, 2014.[2] The song received its first performance at the 2014 A Very Grammy Christmas concert in the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on November 18, 2014.[3]

Background

Ariana released her first Christmas EP titled Christmas Kisses on December 17, 2013.[4] The extended play had a total of 4 songs, and included covers of classics, such as "Santa Baby" and Wham!'s "Last Christmas". It also contained two original songs: "Love Is Everything" and "Snow in California".

"Santa Tell Me" was first mentioned by Ariana Grande on Tuesday, October 28 in a livestream through Twitcam.[5][6] In the livestream, she said that she didn't want to do a Christmas song at first, but she changed her mind. Ariana also announced that a music video would accompany "Santa Tell Me", and that this song was her favorite Christmas song out of all of the ones she had recorded so far.

She officially announced the song and its title on her Twitter page on November 13, 2014, saying, "putting out a kewt Christmas song for u on nov 24th called Santa Tell Me! lil something for the holidays :) so excited #10DaysTilSantaTellMe."[7]

Promotion and release

Ariana used the hashtag #10DaysTilSantaTellMe on Twitter to initiate the 10-day countdown of the song's release. She also performed the song for the first time on November 18, 2014 at the 2014 A Very Grammy Christmas concert in the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, CA.[3] On November 18, Republic Records released the cover art of the song, which depicts a simple light pink background with "Santa Tell Me" written in the middle in golden script.[8] On November 21, Republic Records also released a 15-second snippet of "Santa Tell Me" through their Instagram page; the preview contained part of the chorus.[9] Ariana tweeted the last hashtag on November 23, #SantaTellMeTonight. She also posted the iTunes link of the song, which was then available for pre-order.[10]

"Santa Tell Me" was released at midnight on November 24 on iTunes.[11] The audio was also uploaded to Grande's official YouTube channel, ArianaGrandeVevo on November 24.[12] Shortly after its release, the lyric video was uploaded to Vevo on November 26. It contains various photos of Ariana from her childhood during Christmas.[13]

Composition
"Santa Tell Me"
A 20-second sample of "Santa Tell Me" by Ariana Grande, where the chorus is heard.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Santa Tell Me" is a Christmas song with influences of R&B. It is written in the key of G major. Grande's vocals span from B3 to A5. Lyrically, the song is about how Ariana is disappointed in Santa not visiting her and not granting her Christmas wish, and she asks if he really cares. She sings, "Santa tell me if you're really there / Don't make me fall in love again if he won't be here next year / Santa tell me if he really cares / 'Cause I can't give it all away if he won't be here next year."

Critical reception

"Santa Tell Me" received generally positive responses after it was released. Jessica Ginting of FDRMX gave it 4 stars out of 5, and described the song as "a warm, feel-good song", but also said that "its cheerful instrumental restricts it from going beyond the surface, which takes away from its emotional impact."[14] Brian Mansfield of USA Today described the song as "an attempt at a seasonal staple", but falling short of Mariah Carey's Christmas song, "All I Want for Christmas Is You", "coming across like a jingly cross-breed version of Wham!'s 'Last Christmas' and Amy Grant's 'Baby Baby'."[15]

Commercial performance

In the United States, "Santa Tell Me" officially debuted on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart dated December 13, 2014 at No. 65, and has since peaked at No. 42.[16] The song also peaked at No.7 on Billboard Adult Contemporary chart for the chart dated December 27, 2014. In Canada, "Santa Tell Me" debuted on the Canadian Hot 100 at No. 73 and peaked at No. 27.[17] As of 2015, the song sold 120,000 copies in the United States.

Music video

The official video was released on December 12, 2014. It was directed by Alfredo Flores and Jones Crow.[2] The video features Grande with her friends dancing, laughing and giving gifts around her house along with a two-minute outtake section at the end.[18] It surpassed 100 million views on November 26, 2016, making it Grande's fourteenth Vevo-certified music video after "Let Me Love You".[19][20]

Live performances

Ariana Grande first performed "Santa Tell Me" on November 18, 2014 at the 2014 A Very Grammy Christmas Special concert in the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.[3] The concert aired on December 5, 2014 on CBS.[21] She also performed "Santa Tell Me" as part of the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour 2014.[22][23] On December 8, 2014, Grande performed the song while taping the Disney Parks Frozen Christmas Celebration TV special which aired on Christmas Day.[24]

Charts

Chart (2014–16) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[25] 80
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[26] 32
Belgium Urban (Ultratop Flanders)[27] 5
Belgium (Ultratip Wallonia)[28] 22
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[29] 27
Canada AC (Billboard)[30] 7
Canada Hot AC (Billboard)[31] 48
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[32] 12
Denmark (Tracklisten)[33] 14
France (SNEP)[34] 145
India (Weekly Top 15)[35] 5
Ireland (IRMA)[36] 79
Italy (FIMI)[37] 66
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[38] 29
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[39] 28
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[40] 8
Norway (VG-lista)[41] 36
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[42] 12
South Korea International Chart (Gaon)[43] 10
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[44] 28
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[45] 68
US Billboard Hot 100[16] 42
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[46] 7
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[47] 39
US Holiday 100 (Billboard)[48] 1
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[49] 39

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/Sales
Denmark (IFPI Denmark)[50] Gold 30,000^

^shipments figures based on certification alone

References

  1. ↑ Jacques Peterson. "Ariana Grande Announces New Christmas Single 'Santa Tell Me'". popdust.com. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  2. 1 2 "Santa Tell Me - Ariana Grande - Vevo". Vevo. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 "Ariana Grande, Big Sean Hold Hands in Romantic Grammy Christmas Performance: Photos". Us Weekly. November 19, 2014. Retrieved November 21, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Christmas Kisses – EP by Ariana Grande". iTunes Store. Apple.
  5. ↑ Hyndman, Jessica (28 October 2014). "Is Ariana Grande Behind That Secret 'Hunger Games' Soundtrack Song?". MTV.
  6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lltouqs4f5g&feature=youtu.be&t=2m21s
  7. ↑ "Twitter". November 13, 2014. Retrieved November 13, 2014. putting out a kewt Christmas song for u on nov 24th called Santa Tell Me! lil something for the holidays :) so excited #10DaysTilSantaTellMe
  8. ↑ "News: New Christmas Single "Santa Tell Me" + Cover Art + Michael Buble Christmas Special!". Republic Records. November 21, 2014. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
  9. ↑ Grace, Bianca (November 21, 2014). "Ariana Grande Teases "Santa Tell Me": Listen To The Holiday Snippet". Idolator. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
  10. ↑ "#SantaTellMeTonight". Twitter. November 23, 2014. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Santa Tell Me – Single by Ariana Grande". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved Nov 24, 2014.
  12. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnXxxKZ57Tw
  13. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlWp9B7hr3A
  14. ↑ "Ariana Grande: 'Santa Tell Me' Single Review". FDRMX. December 1, 2014. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
  15. ↑ Mansfield, Brian (December 1, 2014). "Song of the week: Ariana Grande's 'Santa Tell Me'". USA Today. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
  16. 1 2 "Ariana Grande – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for Ariana Grande. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
  17. ↑ "Ariana Grande – Chart history: Billboard Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. 13 December 2014.
  18. ↑ Ishler, Julianne (13 December 2014). "Ariana Grande Releases Adorable 'Santa Tell Me' Music Video". Hollywood Life.
  19. ↑ "Side To Side - Ariana Grande - Vevo". Vevo. November 26, 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
  20. ↑ "Pop Crave on Twitter: "'Santa Tell Me' by Ariana Grande now has over 100 MILLION views on VEVO. It's her fifteenth video to reach this milestone (14th as a lead)."". Twitter. November 26, 2016.
  21. ↑ Emilee, Lindner (19 November 2014). "Ariana Grande And Big Sean Look Romantic As Ever Holding Hands, Singing To Each Other". MTV.
  22. ↑ Trust, Gary (13 December 2014). "Z100's Jingle Ball 2014 Highlights: Taylor Swift, 5 Seconds of Summer, Sam Smith & More". Billboard.
  23. ↑ Roncance, Kelly (12 December 2014). "Q102 Jingle Ball: Iggy Azalea, Ariana Grande, Nick Jonas and more 'sleigh' annual concert event". Nj.com.
  24. ↑ Warner, Denise. "Watch Ariana Grande Perform 'Santa Tell Me' at Disney Parks 'Frozen' Christmas Celebration". Billboard. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
  25. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (December 27, 2014). "ARIA SINGLES: Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars Top Singles For Third Week". Noise11. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  26. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Ariana Grande – Santa Tell Me" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
  27. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Ariana Grande – Santa Tell Me" (in Dutch). Ultratop Urban. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
  28. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Ariana Grande – Santa Tell Me" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
  29. ↑ "Ariana Grande – Chart history" Canadian Hot 100 for Ariana Grande. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
  30. ↑ "Ariana Grande – Chart history" Billboard Canada AC for Ariana Grande. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  31. ↑ "Ariana Grande – Chart history" Billboard Canada Hot AC for Ariana Grande. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  32. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201451,52 into search. Retrieved December 28, 2014.
  33. ↑ "Danishcharts.com – Ariana Grande – Santa Tell Me". Tracklisten. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  34. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Ariana Grande – Santa Tell Me" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved December 19, 2014.
  35. ↑ "Weekly Top 15 (English)". Saavn. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  36. ↑ "Chart Track: Week 51, 2014". Irish Singles Chart.
  37. ↑ "Top Digital - Classifica settimanale WK 51 (dal 2015-12-18 al 2015-12-24)" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  38. ↑ "Ariana Grande – Chart history" Japan Hot 100 for Ariana Grande. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
  39. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Ariana Grande search results" (in Dutch) Dutch Top 40. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
  40. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Ariana Grande – Santa Tell Me" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
  41. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Ariana Grande – Santa Tell Me". VG-lista. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
  42. ↑ "SNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201451,52 into search. Retrieved December 28, 2014.
  43. ↑ "Gaon Digital Chart – Issue date: 2015.12.20 – 2015.12.26". Gaon Chart. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  44. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Ariana Grande – Santa Tell Me". Singles Top 100. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  45. ↑ "Official Singles Chart UK Top 100 – 3rd January 2015". The Official UK Charts Company. December 27, 2014. Archived from the original on December 31, 2014.
  46. ↑ "Ariana Grande – Chart history" Billboard Adult Contemporary for Ariana Grande. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
  47. ↑ "Ariana Grande – Chart history" Billboard Adult Pop Songs for Ariana Grande. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
  48. ↑ "Ariana Grande – Chart History: Holiday 100". Billboard. December 5, 2014. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
  49. ↑ "Ariana Grande – Chart history" Billboard Pop Songs for Ariana Grande. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
  50. ↑ "Ariana Grande "Santa Tell Me"" (in Danish). IFPI Denmark. Retrieved January 16, 2016.
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