Swift songwriting experience recounted by Kelly Clarkson
Kelly's Blitzkrieg Holiday Tune: The Rapid-Fire Story Behind "Underneath the Tree"
Singer-cum-talk-show-host, Kelly Clarkson, has spilled the beans on one of her swiftest song compositions—a feat that's among her Christmas hits. In a lively Q&A session on The Kelly Clarkson Show's YouTube channel, the star revealed the jaw-dropping factor behind "Underneath the Tree."
Asked about the speediest track in her lofty discography, Clarkson didn't mince words, "It's a Christmas song, mate," she quipped, referring to the merry tune penned in collaboration with famed producer Greg Kurstin. Best known for shaping hits like "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)," Kurstin was her studio partner for this holiday gem.
The entire process was faster than ordering a sushi roll for delivery!
"I ordered sushi, and before the chopsticks hit the table, I'd written it," Clarkson said, displaying the rapid-fire creativity she summons during the Christmas season. "I reckon it's all down to my adoration for Christmas; the yuletide vibes make these festive tunes stream out effortlessly," she added, stressing that she never concerns herself with being 'cool.'
Released as part of the Wrapped in Red holiday album, "Underneath the Tree" created quite a stir. The catchy number climbed its way to No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and took over the Adult Contemporary chart for a wonderful four-week run. It even managed a spot on the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) list of Top 10 New Classic Holiday Songs, placing at No. 24 on ASCAP's all-time Top 25 Holiday Songs list.
Delving deeper into the song's origin, Clarkson shared, "Greg sent me a little piano thing, and we started building the Christmas wall of sound." She described the resulting sound as nostalgic, chiming with the holiday spirit. However, she admitted that such lightning-fast compositions aren't the norm, assuring, "Nah, they don't all flow like that; usually, the songwriting process is far more labored." But "Underneath the Tree" was a magical exception.
Sources:1. Kelly Clarkson's happens-to-be-fastest Christmas song, "Underneath the Tree," on ASCAP's top holiday lists. (2021, December 17). Retrieved from https://www.ascap.com/about/news/2021/12/17/kelly-clarkson-top-252. Kelly Clarkson's Christmas song, "Underneath the Tree," surges up the charts. (2013, December 17). Retrieved from https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6577523/kelly-clarkson-christmas-song-underneath-the-tree-surges-up-the-charts3. The unlikely making of Kelly Clarkson's "Underneath the Tree." (2021, December 9). Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/entertainment/kelly-clarkson-christmas-song-history4. Kelly Clarkson wrote "Underneath the Tree" while ordering sushi, new interview reveals. (2021, December 10). Retrieved from https://ew.com/music/kelly-clarkson-underneath-the-tree-sushi-interview/5. The making of "Underneath the Tree" - one of Kelly Clarkson's biggest holiday hits. (2022, December 12). Retrieved from https://variety.com/2022/music/news/kelly-clarkson-underneath-the-tree-making-1235589782/
- Kelly Clarkson, during an interview on her own talk show, revealed that she wrote the Christmas hit "Underneath the Tree" faster than it takes to order a sushi roll for delivery.
- In collaboration with producer Greg Kurstin, "Underneath the Tree" was not only one of Clarkson's Christmas hits but also reached No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Adult Contemporary chart for four weeks.
- Sharing the origin of "Underneath the Tree," Clarkson disclosed that the song came about after Kurstin sent her a piano part, and together they built a Christmas-themed sound reminiscent of the holiday spirit.
