Sir Elton John has released a reimagined version of his 1973 holiday classic Step Into Christmas, collaborating with Irish singer CMAT on a lively rock 'n' roll rendition. The track arrives 53 years after the original and is positioned as this year's Amazon Music Original Christmas song, entering the race for the UK Christmas number one.
A festive collaboration
The 79-year-old singer expressed his admiration for CMAT, whose real name is Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson. He said: 'I've loved CMAT since I first heard her and saw her videos years ago. She has this incredible personality and a wicked sense of humour.'
The EGOT-winning artist added: 'You can tell she has rock and roll and country, and Americana, at the heart of what she does – we're kindred spirits in so many ways, and that's why I was so thrilled with the idea of us collaborating on Step Into Christmas. She's done an amazing job.'
CMAT's childhood connection
CMAT, 30, who won the best album gong at this year's Ivor Novello Awards for her third LP Euro-Country, shared her personal connection to Elton John's music. She said: 'When I listen to the music of Elton John, I am seven years old in the back of my mam's car. It doesn't matter how old or famous I become – whenever I listen to Elton John I will always be seven years old in the back of my mam's car.'
She added: 'Reconciling this feeling with the reality of getting to work with the man in question has been confusing to say the least, but the greatest joy of my life. Christmas is my absolute favourite thing in the world, second maybe only to Elton John. I would like to invite the whole world to step into Christmas with us and make your yuletide dreams come true.'
Chart history and release
The original Step Into Christmas, written by Sir Elton and lyricist Bernie Taupin, peaked at number seven on the UK singles chart in 2025. Last year's Christmas number one was XMAS by Australian singer Kylie Minogue. In 2009, the song was listed as the ninth-most-played Christmas song of the 2000s in the UK, and in 2024 its music video was remade with model Cara Delevingne portraying Sir Elton.
The duo said they had wanted to collaborate and conceived the idea at Glastonbury Festival in 2024. Step Into Christmas is available to stream exclusively on Amazon Music from today.
