Holiday Seasoning is the third studio album by American entertainer Jimmy Fallon, released through St. James Place and Republic Records on November 1, 2024. The holiday album contains guest appearances from the Jonas Brothers, the Roots, Meghan Trainor, Justin Timberlake, Ariana Grande, Megan Thee Stallion, "Weird Al" Yankovic, Will Ferrell, Chelsea Handler, Cara Delevingne, and Dolly Parton, as well as Lang Lang and LL Cool J on the deluxe edition. Fallon, the Roots, and Yankovic were also responsible for production, alongside Ido Zmishlany, Gian Stone, Jon Bellion, Tenroc, Pete Nappi, and Billy Jay Stein. Jimmy Fallon's Holiday Seasoning Spectacular, an accompanying holiday special, aired in December 2024 featuring a number of guests from the album.
| Holiday Seasoning | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | November 1, 2024 | |||
| Recorded | 2021–2024 | |||
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| Genre | Pop[1] | |||
| Length | 38:51 | |||
| Label |
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| Producer | ||||
| Jimmy Fallon chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Holiday Seasoning | ||||
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Background and composition
editWhen Fallon was a cast member on Saturday Night Live (SNL), he and castmate Horatio Sanz wrote "I Wish It Was Christmas Today" as a Christmas music parody, which debuted during a Christmas episode in December 2000 during the series' 26th season.[2] It became a recurring sketch on SNL; the song was later recorded by Julian Casablancas and included as a bonus track on his studio album, Phrazes for the Young (2009).[2]
Production on an album of Christmas music started in 2021, after a suggestion from Michele Anthony of Universal Music Group prompted Fallon to record a holiday song.[3] He recorded a cover but was dissatisfied with it, and felt that established singers would be able to sing them better; instead, he opted to write his own original Christmas songs.[4] "Chipmunks & Chestnuts", which draws influences from Roy Orbison, Slim Whitman, and Monty Python, was the first song written for the project.[5][6] In December 2021, "It Was a... (Masked Christmas)" with Ariana Grande and Megan Thee Stallion was the first single released from the album. The song started out as an idea in August 2021 when Fallon was recording at Electric Lady Studios; his intention behind the track was to cheer people up during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, he approached Grande to sing the hook but did not hear back until October; she then got in touch with Megan Thee Stallion to record the rap.[7]
"Almost Too Early for Christmas" with Dolly Parton was released in November 2022, accompanied by a lyric video featuring cartoon versions of the two performers; the song refers to the phenomenon of the Christmas creep.[8][9] The two, who had previously collaborated on a cover of Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" for Parton's A Holly Dolly Christmas (2020), performed the song on the holiday special, Dolly Parton's Mountain Magic Christmas, which aired on December 1, 2022.[9][10] "Almost Too Early for Christmas" has a psychedelic introduction and was originally intended for a Harry Styles collaboration.[4] "Wrap Me Up" with Meghan Trainor was released in November 2023; the two promoted the single with a performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and a music video released the following month.[11] In September 2024, Justin Timberlake teased his duet with Fallon, "You'll Be There", on an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon; Timberlake was responsible for much of the instrumentation on the track.[2][5] Fallon revealed that Timberlake's touring commitments was the reason he was the most difficult guest to have on the album.[12]
The tracks on Holiday Seasoning span a number of genres and musical influences.[2] "Holiday" with the Jonas Brothers, originally titled "Silent Night", was envisioned as a song in the vein of the Jacksons' "Blame It on the Boogie", with some added influence of Chic to make it sound like a roller disco song.[2] "New Year's Eve Polka (5-4-3-2-1)", a polka song with "Weird Al" Yankovic and the Roots, was conceived after Fallon lamented the lack of cheerful songs for New Year's Eve.[5] "Coquito", an "off-beat reggaeton" track, was written as a tribute to the namesake Puerto Rican alcoholic Christmas cocktail.[5][2] The folky "One Glove" with Will Ferrell was inspired by Warren Zevon, "Weird Cousin" is a lo-fi jam in the style of Weezer, while Fallon wanted "Thanksgiving Eve" to sound like a Bob Dylan song.[2][13] "Hallmark Movie" with Cara Delevingne is a song that starts out like a romantic movie similar to those aired on the Hallmark Channel, but then turns into a dramatic Lifetime movie.[5]
Fallon recorded covers of "Silent Night" and "The Little Drummer Boy" at Electric Lady during a blizzard in 2023;[6] they are included on the track listing for the album's deluxe edition.[14] The deluxe edition features Christmas songs that are not necessarily comedic in nature, including a cover of Harry Nilsson's "Remember (Christmas)" with pianist Lang Lang.[4] Fallon estimates that around 25 original songs were written for the album.[4]
Promotion and release
editThe album was announced on October 10, 2024, and released on CD, vinyl, and digital formats on November 1, 2024.[15] In March 2023, Fallon had told E! News that the plans were for his album to be released that year.[16] Merchandise accompanied the release of the album, including a Christmas sweater, a Christmas stocking, and oven mitts.[5] In addition, a gift box of holiday seasonings was launched, which includes a hot chocolate blend created in collaboration with Fallon and his two daughters.[17][18] A limited-time channel, Holiday Seasoning Radio, was launched on Sirius XM featuring holiday songs selected by Fallon as well as a behind-the-scenes look into the making of the album.[19] In December 2024, Crumbl launched a candy cane chocolate brownie inspired by Holiday Seasoning, developed in collaboration with Fallon.[20]
On October 29, 2024, Fallon appeared on The Howard Stern Show to discuss the album; he also performed "Chipmunks & Chestnuts" on air.[21] Following the album's release, individual lyric videos were released for track, as well as a yule log video featuring the entire album, in which Fallon makes various cameos.[22] Fallon additionally appeared on a number of talk shows to promote the album, including Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, where he revealed plans for the deluxe edition, Hot Ones, Elvis Duran and the Morning Show, and Today.[23][24][25][26]
"Holiday" was released as a single and was a minor radio hit in the U.S., becoming Fallon's first song to top the country's Adult Contemporary chart.[27][28][29] Its music video features the Jonas Brothers trapped in a snow globe, and the song's remix features rapper LL Cool J.[2][14] "Holiday" was released as a single in Italy on December 13, 2024.[30] Fallon and the Roots performed "Hey Rudy" at the 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 28.[31] Fallon and the Roots again performed "Hey Rudy" for 2024's last episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, accompanied by the Radio City Rockettes.[32] Jimmy Fallon's Holiday Seasoning Spectacular, an accompanying holiday special, aired on December 4, 2024, featuring a number of guests from the album.[5] A deluxe edition of Holiday Seasoning was released on December 6, 2024, featuring nine additional tracks.[14]
Reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [33] |
In a three-star review, Marcy Donelson of AllMusic praised the affectionate "Holiday" and "Almost Too Early for Christmas", but doubted some of the songs would fit in with other holiday music, noting they could be used as background music.[33] Maria Sherman of the Associated Press and Gary Graff of Cleveland.com included Holiday Seasoning on their lists of 2024's best holiday albums.[34][35] In addition, "Holiday" was included on Billboard's list of best new Christmas songs of 2024.[36]
In the U.S., Holiday Seasoning debuted atop Billboard's Comedy Albums chart and at number 2 on the Top Holiday Albums chart, with almost 13,000 album-equivalent units in its first week, according to Luminate, becoming Fallon's second number-one on the former. In addition, the album debuted at number 3 on the Top Album Sales chart and number 9 on the Vinyl Albums chart, with nearly 12,000 copies sold.[37] The album has spent four weeks atop the Comedy Albums chart.[29]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Christmas Ding Dong" |
|
| 1:16 |
| 2. | "Holiday" (with Jonas Brothers) | Ido Zmishlany | 3:03 | |
| 3. | "Hey Rudy" (with the Roots) |
|
| 2:40 |
| 4. | "Wrap Me Up" (with Meghan Trainor) |
| Stone | 2:28 |
| 5. | "You'll Be There" (with Justin Timberlake) |
| Zmishlany | 3:21 |
| 6. | "It Was a... (Masked Christmas)" (with Ariana Grande and Megan Thee Stallion) |
| Zmishlany | 3:00 |
| 7. | "How You Know It's Christmastime" |
|
| 2:15 |
| 8. | "New Year's Eve Polka (5-4-3-2-1)" (with "Weird Al" Yankovic and the Roots) |
|
| 1:42 |
| 9. | "Chipmunks & Chestnuts" |
|
| 2:30 |
| 10. | "One Glove" (with Will Ferrell) |
| 2:35 | |
| 11. | "Merry Happy Christmas" (with Chelsea Handler) |
|
| 2:32 |
| 12. | "Coquito" |
|
| 1:17 |
| 13. | "Hallmark Movie" (with Cara Delevingne) |
|
| 1:42 |
| 14. | "Weird Cousin" |
|
| 2:09 |
| 15. | "Thanksgiving Eve" |
| 3:13 | |
| 16. | "Almost Too Early for Christmas" (with Dolly Parton) |
| Zmishlany | 3:03 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17. | "Christmas Alone" |
|
| 2:26 |
| 18. | "The Elves Are Unionizing" |
|
| 2:17 |
| 19. | "Broadway (Do You Remember)" |
|
| 2:15 |
| 20. | "Today at Christmastime" |
|
| 2:08 |
| 21. | "Remember (Christmas)" (with Lang Lang) | Harry Nilsson |
| 3:28 |
| 22. | "Elvis on the Shelvis" (The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon) |
| The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon | 1:26 |
| 23. | "Little Drummer Boy" (at Electric Lady) |
|
| 2:00 |
| 24. | "Silent Night" (at Electric Lady) | John Freeman Young |
| 2:20 |
| 25. | "Holiday" (with Jonas Brothers and LL Cool J) |
| Zmishlany | 3:03 |
Notes
Charts
edit| Chart (2024) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200[39] | 84 |
| US Top Comedy Albums (Billboard)[40] | 1 |
| US Top Holiday Albums (Billboard)[41] | 2 |
References
edit- ^ Sculley, Alan (December 18, 2024). "2024 holiday album guide: old and new favorites to play this week!". The Mountain Times. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Benitez-Eves, Tina (October 30, 2024). "Jimmy Fallon Taps Polka with 'Weird Al" Yankovic, Channels Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, and More on Seasonal Debut 'Holiday Seasoning'". American Songwriter. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
- ^ Miller, Liz Shannon (November 1, 2024). "6 Holiday Music Albums Jimmy Fallon Thinks Everyone Should Own". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Tafoya, Harry (December 19, 2024). "Jimmy Fallon's a Hit". Paper. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g Rudolph, Christopher (October 24, 2024). "Jimmy Fallon Just Shared Exciting News About His Holiday Seasoning Album". NBC. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
- ^ a b Mitchell, Matt (November 1, 2024). "Jimmy Fallon on His First Comedy Album in 12 Years". Paste. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
- ^ Gamboa, Glenn (December 7, 2024). "Fallon teams with Grande, Megan Thee Stallion for holidays". Associated Press. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
- ^ Manno, Jackie (November 10, 2022). "Dolly Parton and Jimmy Fallon's Christmas Song Is as Amazing as You Think". NBC. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
- ^ a b Avila, Daniela (November 23, 2022). "Dolly Parton and Jimmy Fallon Perform 'Almost Too Early for Christmas' in a Diner — Watch!". People. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
- ^ Benitez-Eves, Tina (January 26, 2024). "7 Songs You Didn't Know Jimmy Fallon Wrote". American Songwriter. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
- ^ Manno, Jackie; Vincenty, Samantha (December 14, 2023). "Jimmy Fallon & Meghan Trainor's Official "Wrap Me Up" Video Is Holiday Eye Candy". NBC. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
- ^ Noel, Bebe (December 14, 2024). "Jimmy Fallon Reveals Which Feature Was Hardest To Get On His Holiday Album". Z100 New York. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
- ^ Appleford, Steve (November 1, 2024). "Jimmy Fallon Makes Comedy Holiday Albums Cool Again". Spin. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
- ^ a b c Roe, Mike (December 3, 2024). "Jimmy Fallon Adds 9 More Tracks for Deluxe Holiday Seasoning Album". LateNighter. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
- ^ Aniftos, Rania (October 10, 2024). "Jimmy Fallon Announces Festive 'Holiday Seasoning' Album". Billboard. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
- ^ Aniftos, Rania (March 7, 2023). "Jimmy Fallon Says He's Working on a Holiday Album". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
- ^ Starostinetskaya, Anna (November 8, 2024). "Food News of the Week: Meatless Wagyu, Gobbler Sandwiches, and How to Cook Like Jimmy Fallon". VegNews. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
- ^ Mills, Rebecca (November 1, 2024). "Jimmy Fallon x The Spice House Are Here to Deck Your Holiday Dishes". Culturess. FanSided. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
- ^ "Listen to Jimmy Fallon's All-New Holiday Channel, Including His '12 Days of Christmas'". Sirius XM. November 1, 2024. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
- ^ "Crumbl Partners with NBC's 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' to Sweeten up the Season" (Press release). Crumbl. EIN Presswire. November 30, 2024. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
- ^ "VIDEO: 'Tonight Show' Host Jimmy Fallon Returns to the Stern Show". The Howard Stern Show. October 29, 2024. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
- ^ Roe, Mike (November 27, 2024). "Jimmy Fallon Releases His Own Holiday Yule Log Video". LateNighter. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
- ^ Inman, Jessica (October 14, 2024). "Justin Timberlake, Jimmy Fallon collaborate for song on Fallon's holiday album". United Press International. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
- ^ Petty, Perry (November 1, 2024). "Jimmy Fallon's Best Moments on the 'Hot Ones' Halloween Special". BetUS. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
- ^ Barnd, Abigail (December 4, 2024). "Jimmy Fallon and Will Ferrell's Star-crossed Holiday Anthem". Elvis Duran and the Morning Show. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
- ^ "Jimmy Fallon on how he nearly missed Thanksgiving parade float". Today. December 2, 2024. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
- ^ "Jimmy Fallon Releases Highly Anticipated Holiday Seasoning Album Today" (Press release). Universal Music Canada. November 1, 2024. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
- ^ McIntyre, Hugh (November 25, 2024). "The Jonas Brothers Are Back With A New Hit Alongside An Unlikely Collaborator". Forbes. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
- ^ a b Trust, Gary (December 13, 2024). "'Holiday' Celebration: Jimmy Fallon & Jonas Brothers Jingle to No. 1 on Adult Contemporary Chart". Billboard. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
- ^ "Holiday". EarOne.it. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
- ^ Reed, Anika (November 28, 2024). "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2024 performances: Jennifer Hudson, Kylie Minogue, more stars". USA Today. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
- ^ Rosenzweig, Jed (December 19, 2024). "Fallon's Tonight Show Wraps 2024—With a Holiday Song, Naturally". LateNighter. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
- ^ a b Donelson, Marcy. "Holiday Seasoning - Jimmy Fallon". AllMusic. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
- ^ Sherman, Maria (November 21, 2024). "'Tis the season for holiday albums, from Jennifer Hudson to Toby Keith and Jimmy Fallon". Associated Press. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
- ^ Graff, Gary (December 17, 2024). "The 12 discs of Christmas -- 2024′s best new holiday albums". Cleveland.com. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
- ^ Dailey, Hannah (December 19, 2024). "The 25 Best New Christmas Songs of 2024: Staff Picks". Billboard. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
- ^ Caulfield, Keith (November 11, 2024). "Jimmy Fallon Jingles Onto Billboard Charts With Festive New 'Holiday Seasoning' Album". Billboard. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
- ^ "Holiday Seasoning (Deluxe) Digital Album". Jimmy Fallon Official Store. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
- ^ "Jimmy Fallon Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
- ^ "Jimmy Fallon Chart History (Top Comedy Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
- ^ "Jimmy Fallon Chart History (Holiday Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 22, 2024.