Step into Christmas

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Template:Short description Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Script error: No such module "Infobox".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Script error: No such module "Check for conflicting parameters". "Step into Christmas" is a Christmas song written by British musician Elton John and lyricist Bernie Taupin, and performed by John. Released in November 1973 with "Ho, Ho, Ho (Who'd Be a Turkey at Christmas)" as the B-side, the song originally peaked at No. 24 on the UK singles chart. It made the top 10 for the first time in 2018, at No. 10, before reaching a new overall peak position of No. 7 on the same chart in 2025.[1] In the United States, the single reached No. 56 on the Cash Box Top 100 Singles chart[2] and No. 1 on the Billboard Christmas Singles chart.[3][note 1]

"Step into Christmas" was later included as a bonus track on the 1995 remastered reissue of the album Caribou. It also appears on the albums Elton John's Christmas Party, Rare Masters, To Be Continued, Diamonds, and various Christmas themed compilations. Two versions with different vocals are known to exist: the original single mix and a version recorded for John's 1973 performance of "Step into Christmas" on The Gilbert O'Sullivan Show television programme (which featured his friend and lyricist Bernie Taupin standing in for Ray Cooper on percussion).[5]

In 2009, "Step into Christmas" was listed as the ninth-most-played Christmas song of the 2000s in the UK.[6] In December 2023, the song was certified triple platinum by the British Phonographic Industry for sales and streams of 1,800,000 units and on 12 December it was certified 4× Platinum in the UK.

In September 2021, the song was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America for sales and streams of 500,000 units. In December 2025, it was certified platinum for sales of 1 million units.

Recording

According to liner notes about the song (in Rare Masters and Elton John's Christmas Party), the track and its B-side, both produced by Gus Dudgeon, were recorded during a session on 11 November 1973 at London's Morgan Studios,[7] which was owned by drummer Barry Morgan, who had played on several of John's early albums. "Step into Christmas" was mixed to imitate the work of producer Phil Spector, using compression and utilizing his trademark wall of sound technique. According to both John and Taupin, this was an homage to Christmas songs by Spector-produced groups such as the Ronettes.

Music video

The music video produced to promote the single features the band playing the song in a recording studio, with John playing at a piano adorned with a red feather boa. It is notable for its cameo appearance of Taupin, who is seen briefly during the song's bridge playing tubular bells, although they are played on the track by percussionist Ray Cooper. John is also seen playfully holding his supporter's card for Watford F.C., the football club which he would later own. Later in the video John is seeing playing a guitar alongside drummer Nigel Olsson and then embracing him, and briefly with drum sticks inserted into the ends of his mouth.

In 2024, over 50 years after the song's original release, the video was remade as a behind-the-scenes reimagining starring Cara Delevingne as John. Delevingne wears an outfit identical to the one worn by John in the original video.[8] Delevingne and John had wanted to work together and thought of the idea while at Glastonbury Festival 2024. John stated: "When someone suggested the idea of her playing me in a riff on the 1973 'Step Into Christmas' video, I just thought it was the perfect opportunity. Thank God Cara thought the same, because it came out great."[8]

Chart performance

Chart performance on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
Year Peak
position 		Chart run
1973 24 Seven weeks (8 December 1973 – 19 January 1974)[9]
2007 53 Three weeks (15–29 December 2007)[10]
2011 64 Three weeks (17–31 December 2011)[11]
2012 75 Two weeks (15–22 December 2012)[12]
2014 84 Four weeks (13 December 2014 – 3 January 2015)[13]
2015 58 Three weeks (17–31 December 2015)[14]
2016 37 Four weeks (15 December 2016 – 5 January 2017)[15]
2017 11 Four weeks (14 December 2017 – 4 January 2018)[16]
2018 10 Four weeks (13 December 2018 – 3 January 2019)[17]
2019 8 Four weeks (12 December 2019 – 2 January 2020)[18]
2020 8 Seven weeks (26 November 2020 – 7 January 2021)
2021 11 Six weeks (2 December 2021 – 6 January 2022)
2022 18 Six weeks (1 December 2022 – 5 January 2023)
2023 16 Six weeks (30 November 2023 – 4 January 2024)
2024 10 Six weeks (28 November 2024 – 2 January 2025)
2025 7 Seven weeks (20 November 2025 – 8 January 2026)

Charts

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Chart performance for "Step into Christmas"
Chart (1973–2026) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[19] 31
Croatia International Airplay (Top lista)[20] 33
Greece International Streaming (IFPI)[21] 46
Italy (FIMI)[22] 81
Lithuania (AGATA)[23] 52
Lithuania Airplay (TopHit)[24] 46
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[25] 25
Poland (Polish Streaming Top 100)[26] 76
Portugal (AFP)[27] 83
US Billboard Christmas Singles[3] 1
US Holiday 100 (Billboard)[28] 49
US Cash Box Top 100 Singles[29] 56

Certifications

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Certifications for "Step into Christmas"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".[30] Platinum 70,000 
Canada (Music Canada)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".[31] 2× Platinum 160,000 
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".[32] Platinum 0 
Italy (FIMI)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".[33]
(since 2009) 		Gold 0 
New Zealand (RMNZ)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".[34] Platinum 0 
United Kingdom (BPI)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".[35] 4× Platinum 2,400,000 
United States (RIAA)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".[36] Platinum 1,000,000 

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Notes

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  1. ↑ In years when Billboard published a Christmas Singles chart, Christmas singles were not listed on the Hot 100 chart.[4]

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References

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  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  3. ↑ a b Whitburn, Joel. Top Pop Singles 1955–1996 (1997):316
  4. ↑ Whitburn, Joel. Top Pop Singles 1955–1996 (1997):xi
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  7. ↑ Moments: 'Step Into Christmas' Retrieved 19 December 2017
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  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". The chart listed Elton John's Christmas E.P. instead of solely the song itself.
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  34. ↑ Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Script error: No such module "cite". Type Step into Christmas in the "Search:" field and press Enter.
  35. ↑ Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Script error: No such module "cite". Select singles in the Formats field. Type Step into ChristmasScript error: No such module "String".Elton John in the "Search:" field.
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