We Wish You the Merriest is the second collaborative album by American actors and singers Seth MacFarlane and Elizabeth Gillies. The album was released on November 3, 2023, through Republic Records and Verve Records. It is MacFarlane's eighth studio album, second Christmas album, and Gillies' debut album.[1]
| We Wish You the Merriest | ||||
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| Released | November 3, 2023 | |||
| Studio | Abbey Road Studios | |||
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| Length | 39:13 | |||
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| Seth MacFarlane and Elizabeth Gillies chronology | ||||
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| Singles from We Wish You the Merriest | ||||
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The album marks the second collaboration between MacFarlane and Gillies after their extended play (EP), Songs from Home (2021). MacFarlane reunited with his frequent collaborator Joel McNeely to produce the album. The album was preceded by the release of two singles: the title track and "Sleigh Ride".
Background
editOn September 28, 2023, It was announced that MacFarlane would collaborate with Elizabeth Gillies on a Christmas album.[2] The album marked a second collaboration, after their 2021 EP, Songs from Home. Gillies said, “After collaborating for nearly a decade, I was beyond thrilled when Seth came to me with the idea of recording a holiday record. Our first official record. There is no one I know who possesses a deeper knowledge and appreciation for this era of music than Seth.”[3] MacFarlane himself also spoke about the collaboration saying, “Liz and I have been singing together for a number of years now, between studio recordings and traveling around the country performing live with some of our favorite symphony orchestras. We’re both fans of the classic Bing Crosby-Rosemary Clooney duet albums, and their exquisite, expressive orchestrations contrasting with a fun, casual vocal style. We’ve done our best to honor that tradition with our new Christmas album, and we hope it adds some extra charm to your holiday season.”[2]
MacFarlane reunited with Andrew Cottee again, after previously working on Once in a While (2019) and Blue Skies (2022). He recorded the album at Abbey Road Studios, his seventh time at the recording studio.[2]
Singles
editThe album's lead single, "We Wish You the Merriest", was released on September 28, 2023.[4] The album's second and final single, "Sleigh Ride", was released on October 19, 2023.[5]
Commercial performance
editWe Wish You the Merriest debuted at number 20 on the US Billboard Jazz Albums and number 47 on the Top Holiday Albums charts with 1,000 album-equivalent units.[6]
Track listing
editAll music arranged and conducted by Andrew Cottee.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Happy Holiday" | Irving Berlin | 2:39 |
| 2. | "Frosty the Snowman" |
| 2:41 |
| 3. | "Here Comes Santa Claus" | 2:28 | |
| 4. | "Sleigh Ride" | 3:18 | |
| 5. | "The Christmas Song" | 4:06 | |
| 6. | "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" | Johnny Marks | 2:24 |
| 7. | "That Holiday Feeling" |
| 2:36 |
| 8. | "Winter Wonderland" | 3:32 | |
| 9. | "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" | 4:54 | |
| 10. | "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" | 3:09 | |
| 11. | "Christmas Time All Over the World" | Martin | 2:40 |
| 12. | "A Holly Jolly Christmas" | Marks | 2:28 |
| 13. | "We Wish You the Merriest" | Les Brown | 2:26 |
| Total length: | 39:13 | ||
Charts
edit| Chart (2023) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Top Jazz Albums (Billboard)[7] | 20 |
| US Top Holiday Albums (Billboard)[8] | 47 |
Release history
edit| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | November 3, 2023 | [9][10] |
References
edit- ^ Garner, Glenn (September 28, 2023). "Seth MacFarlane and Liz Gillies 'Wish You the Merriest' with Debut Christmas Album". The Messenger. Archived from the original on May 31, 2019. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ^ a b c Woerner, Meredith (September 28, 2023). "Seth MacFarlane & Liz Gillies Debut Holiday Album". Variety. Archived from the original on September 28, 2023. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
- ^ Schube, Will (September 28, 2023). "Seth MacFarlane And Liz Gillies Announce 'We Wish You The Merriest'". uDiscover Music. Archived from the original on May 31, 2019. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ^ "We Wish You the Merriest – Seth MacFarlane and Elizabeth Gillies – Vevo". YouTube. September 28, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
- ^ Schube, Will (October 19, 2023). "Seth MacFarlane And Liz Gillies Share 'Sleigh Ride'". uDiscover Music. Archived from the original on May 31, 2019. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ^ Zellner, Xander (November 15, 2023). "10 First-Timers on Billboard's Charts This Week: Matt Rogers, Mark Mothersbaugh, Kelsey Hart & More". Billboard. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
- ^ "Seth MacFarlane Chart History (Top Jazz Albums)". Billboard.
- ^ "Seth MacFarlane Chart History (Holiday Albums)". Billboard.
- ^ "Seth MacFarlane & Liz Gillies: We Wish You The Merriest Music [LP]". ASIN B0CK17CQWG. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
- ^ "Seth MacFarlane & Liz Gillies - We Wish You The Merriest - CD". Walmart. Retrieved November 3, 2023.