Celebrities on TikTok go #behindthesong on festive hits

11 December 2023 - Press release

As the festive season approaches full swing, some of the world’s biggest artists are spreading joy and cheer by peeling back the curtain on their iconic Christmas songs as part of a Festive #BehindTheSong campaign – which now has over 3 billion views.

In the spirit of giving, these musical legends are offering fans an intimate look into the creation of their timeless hits. From yuletide anecdotes to surprising revelations, the series is a sleigh ride for music lovers on platform:

 

• Shakin' Stevens, the legend behind the perennial favourite 'Merry Christmas Everyone,' took TikTok users on a journey through time with a four-part series. Unveiling the story of how the iconic Christmas single was recorded during the sweltering heatwave of 1984 and released the following year, Stevens is reigniting the holiday spirit for fans old and new.
• Boy band East 17 joined the festive spirit by sharing five facts about their chart-topping hit 'Stay Another Day', marking the beginning of Christmas and celebrating the enduring success of their seasonal anthem.
• Hanson, the pop group that warmed our hearts with 'Finally It's Christmas' unwrapped the magic with a #BehindTheSong feature, offering fans delightful tidbits about the song's journey to becoming a holiday classic. The Darkness also shared a story behind their beloved Christmas song 'Don't Let The Bells End' and how it came about, whilst Rick Astley discusses the fun they had shooting the video for 'Love This Christmas'.

 

Artists are sharing stories every day in the run up to Christmas. Hopefully, this can turn into an annual tradition as these stories are resonating with fans across the globe, getting them in the holiday spirit in a way only music can. 

For background, earlier this year, TikTok launched #BehindTheSong, a hub for songwriters, producers and artists to showcase the anecdotes and journeys that have shaped and inspired their music. The hashtag has amassed over 3 billion views, encouraging creators to share stories about their music-making process. It’s been used by the likes of Noel Gallagher, Lenny Kravitz, Laufey and Guy Chambers, sharing how they created their unique sounds and globally renowned tracks.