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Christmas Tree Farm

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This article is about the Taylor Swift song. For farming of Christmas trees, see Christmas tree cultivation.

"Christmas Tree Farm"
A young Taylor Swift on a snow covered farm, holding a white dog in her hands.
Single by Taylor Swift
WrittenDecember 1, 2019
ReleasedDecember 6, 2019 (2019-12-06)
RecordedDecember 2–3, 2019
StudioLondon Lane Studios (London)
Genre
Length
  • 3:48
  • 3:52 (Old Timey version)
LabelRepublic
Songwriter(s)Taylor Swift
Producer(s)
Taylor Swift singles chronology
"Lover"
(2019) 		"Christmas Tree Farm"
(2019) 		"The Man"
(2020)
Music video
"Christmas Tree Farm" on YouTube

"Christmas Tree Farm" is a Christmas song written and recorded by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. She produced it with the English musician Jimmy Napes. Swift wrote the song on December 1, 2019, inspired by her Christmas vacation, and released it five days later, on December 6. Opening with an orchestrated balladic intro, "Christmas Tree Farm" is a cheery uptempo pop song driven by swing drums, lush orchestral arrangements, jingle bells, choir harmonies, and lyrics on childhood memories of Christmas.

The single charted within the top 30 in Belgium, Croatia, Hungary, and Scotland. Critics praised the song's festive production and lyrics. An official music video, a compilation of home videos that capture Swift's childhood days from the Christmas tree farm in Pennsylvania she grew up on, was also released alongside the song. The video features herself, her brother Austin Swift, and their parents. Swift performed the song live at the 2019 Capital FM Jingle Bell Ball in London and iHeartRadio Jingle Ball in New York City; the live version from the latter was released to digital music platforms in November 2020, followed by picture discs of the song. An "Old Timey Version" of the song, in which the orchestral accompaniment is more emphasized with rerecorded vocals, has also been released.

Production and release

[edit]

Inspired by the holiday season of 2019, "Christmas Tree Farm" was written, recorded, and released by Taylor Swift in under six days.[1] She wrote the song during Thanksgiving weekend, and recorded it on December 1, 2019, the Sunday before its release, with English producer Jimmy Napes at London Lane Studios, United Kingdom.[2] The day after that, a group of choral singers provided the finishing touches.[3] The song was announced on Good Morning America on December 5, 2019, and released at midnight the same day, along with an accompanying music video made from home videos.[4][5]

On November 22, 2021, Swift announced a re-recorded "Old Timey Version" of the song on Good Morning America. The song was released that same day as an Amazon Music exclusive,[6] and was sent to contemporary hit radio on November 29, 2021;[7] it was later released to all streaming platforms on November 23, 2022.[8] A collection containing the original song, the "Old Timey Version" and the live performance at iHeartRadio's 2019 Jingle Ball was released in November 2024.[9]

Cover artwork

[edit]

The cover artwork used for the song in its initial release depicts Swift as a child holding her pet dog. In the background the fence of a stable and a snow coverage can be found as well. In the upper-left side the name of the song can be read. With the release of the three-song collection, the cover was updated to replace the original font with one that resembled a friendship bracelet.[9]

Composition

[edit]
"Christmas Tree Farm"
A sample of the song's opening section, where Swift's singing mimicks the classic, slow vocal stylings of traditional pop music, before transitioning into an upbeat tune.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Christmas Tree Farm" is an uptempo pop song. Swift wrote the song alone and produced it with Napes.[10] The song runs for a duration of three minutes and forty-eight seconds. The song has two parts. The intro starts at a slower, ballad-like tempo, and goes through a series of time signatures in 4
4, 5
4 and 3
4. After this, the main part of the song begins, and takes on the uptempo swing feel in common time. Swift performs it in the key of G major with her vocals ranging between D3 to G5.[11] The lyrics are centered around the Christmas spirit, romance, family and nostalgia, especially Swift's years growing up at her father's Christmas tree farm as a child.[10]

Critical reception

[edit]

"Christmas Tree Farm" received positive reviews upon release. Variety's Chris Willman labeled the song "homey and hearth-y", with heavy orchestration and rich production, resulting in "maximum holiday glee".[2] Alyssa Bailey of Elle described it an infectious pop song, but still a personal holiday track, with "jolly" and romantic lyrics.[12] Writing for Elite Daily, Michel Mendez complimented Swift's songwriting, stating she is "one heck of a songwriter" and that the lyrics to the song "will make anyone feel nostalgic for holidays spent at home with family".[13] Describing the song as romantic and nostalgic, Eric Hegedus of New York Post, opined that the "breezy" single serves as a enthusiastic love letter to a "soul mate who brings a sense of yearning to her [Swift's] heart."[10]

Cosmopolitan picked "Christmas Tree Farm" as one of the 75 best Christmas songs of all time.[14] American Songwriter ranked it at number one on its list of the five best underrated Christmas songs.[15]

Commercial performance

[edit]

In the United States, "Christmas Tree Farm" accumulated 7.7 million streams in its opening week. The song debuted at number two on the Billboard Digital Songs chart with 26,000 digital downloads sold. It was her 49th top-ten entry on the chart, an all-time record. It further arrived at number 59 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming Swift's 96th entry on the chart, which is the second highest tally for a female artist in the Hot 100 history, behind rapper Nicki Minaj;[16] Swift surpassed Minaj eventually.[note 1][17] It also debuted at number 25[16] and peaked at number three on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.[18]

Elsewhere, the single landed at number 13 in Croatia,[19] number 16 in Scotland,[20] number 23 in Flanders,[21] number 29 in Hungary,[22] number 51 on the Irish Singles Chart,[23] number 55 on the Canadian Hot 100,[24] number 71 in the United Kingdom,[25] and number 49 in Australia.[26]

Bolstered by the 2020 Christmas season, the song re-entered the UK Singles Chart at number 95 in December 2020.[27] "Christmas Tree Farm" also debuted at number 147 on the Billboard Global 200 chart, which was inaugurated in 2020.[28] Following the release of the Old Timey Version, the single saw a boost in popularity in the 2021 Christmas season, where the song reached a new peak on the UK Single Chart at number 44 in December 2021.[29]

Music video

[edit]
Taylor Swift is unwrapping her gift to find a guitar.
The music video for "Christmas Tree Farm" is a compilation of home footage. The above still shows a young Swift getting gifted with her first guitar on Christmas.

The music video was directed and produced by Swift. The Christmas tree farm in the song title, on the cover art, and in the video is Pine Ridge Farm located in Cumru Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania, a place where Swift grew up as a child before moving to nearby Wyomissing, Pennsylvania and later Hendersonville, Tennessee. The video, which consists of home videos from Swift's childhood, features Swift, her brother Austin, and their parents Andrea and Scott.[30] A lyric video for the song was released alongside the song and the music video on December 6, 2019.[31] A video detailing the song's making was released on December 23.[32]

Live performances

[edit]

Swift performed the song for the first time on December 8, 2019 as part of her set-list for the 2019 Jingle Bell Ball in London.[33] On December 13, Swift's birthday, she performed the song at iHeartRadio Z100's Jingle Ball in New York City.[34] This performance was recorded and released digitally on December 19, 2020.[35]

Credits and personnel

[edit]

Credits are adapted from Tidal.[36]

  • Taylor Swift – vocals, songwriter, producer
  • Jimmy Napes – producer, backing vocals, piano
  • Serban Ghenea – mixer
  • John Hanes – mix engineer
  • Gus Pirelli – recording engineer, moog bass
  • Jamie McEvoy – assistant recording engineer
  • Joseph Wander – assistant recording engineer
  • Will Purton – assistant recording engineer
  • Camille – violin
  • Bruce White – viola
  • Jodi Milliner – bass guitar
  • Ian Burdge – cello
  • Chris Laurence – double bass
  • Ash Soan – drums
  • John Thurgood, Laurence Davies, Martin Owen – French horn
  • Simon Hale – string arranger
  • Lawrence Johnson – vocal arranger
  • Candice-Mimi Otohwo, Destinee Knight-Scott, Glenn Tatenda Gwazai, Jessica Mae Obioha, Lorrain Briscoe, Margeaux Michelle, Paul Lee, Tarna Renae Johnson, Tehillah Daniel, The LJ Singers, Travis J Cole, Wayne Hernandez, Wendi Rose – backing vocals

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for "Christmas Tree Farm"
Chart (2019–2024) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[26] 49
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[37] 50
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[21] 23
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[24] 40
Canada AC (Billboard)[38] 8
Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[39] 49
Canada Hot AC (Billboard)[40] 35
Croatia (HRT)[19] 13
Euro Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[41] 16
France (SNEP)[42] 96
Germany (GfK)[43] 60
Global 200 (Billboard)[44] 102
Hungary (Single Top 40)[22] 29
Ireland (IRMA)[23] 51
Netherlands (Single Tip)[45] 1
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[46] 9
Scotland (OCC)[20] 16
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[47] 83
Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)[48] 8
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[49] 93
UK Singles (OCC)[25] 44
US Billboard Hot 100[50] 59
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[18] 3
US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[51] 40
US Holiday 100 (Billboard)[52] 19
US Rolling Stone Top 100[53] 65
Chart performance for "Christmas Tree Farm (Old Timey Version)"
Chart (2021–2022) Peak
position
Global 200 (Billboard)[54] 98
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[55] 84
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[56] 22
US Billboard Hot 100[57] 62
US Holiday 100 (Billboard)[58] 46

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications and sales for "Christmas Tree Farm"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[59] Gold 35,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[60] Silver 200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Release history and formats for "Christmas Tree Farm"
Country Date Version Format Label Ref.
Various December 6, 2019 Original
Republic [36]
November 27, 2020 Picture disc [61]
December 19, 2020 Live at the 2019 iHeart Radio Jingle Ball
  • Digital download
  • streaming
 [35]
November 22, 2021 Old Timey Version
[62]
United States November 29, 2021
[7]
Various November 23, 2022
  • Digital download
  • streaming
 [63]

See also

[edit]
  • "The Best Day" (2008) and "Seven" (2020) – other Swift songs discussing her infanthood

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Swift's total increased to 113 upon releasing her eighth studio album, Folklore, where all of its 17 tracks entered the Hot 100 simultaneously.[17]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Shaffer, Claire; Legaspi, Althea (December 6, 2019). "Watch Taylor Swift's Childhood Videos in 'Christmas Tree Farm' Clip". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on December 8, 2019. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  2. ^ a b Willman, Chris (December 5, 2019). "Taylor Swift's 'Christmas Tree Farm' Video Is a VHS Wonderland". Variety. Archived from the original on December 6, 2019. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  3. ^ Blistein, Jon (December 23, 2019). "Watch Taylor Swift Craft 'Christmas Tree Farm' in Behind-the-Scenes Video". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on December 25, 2019. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
  4. ^ Moniuszko, Sara M. (December 5, 2019). "Taylor Swift to release Christmas song (at midnight!) and a music video 'made from home videos'". USA Today. Archived from the original on December 5, 2019. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
  5. ^ O'Connor, Roisin (December 5, 2019). "Taylor Swift announces new festive song Christmas Tree Farm". The Independent. Archived from the original on December 5, 2019. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  6. ^ "Taylor Swift Reimagines Her Recent Holiday Tune 'Christmas Tree Farm' With A More Orchestral Version". Uproxx. 22 November 2021. Archived from the original on 21 January 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  7. ^ a b "Hot/Modern/AC Cool New Music". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on December 6, 2016. Retrieved March 24, 2022. Type "Taylor Swift" in the Search field.
  8. ^ Gonzalez, Rebekah (November 23, 2022). "Taylor Swift Officially Releases 'Old Timey Version' Of This Holiday Track". Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  9. ^ a b Thompson, Mary Pat (November 1, 2024). "Taylor Swift releases special 'Christmas Tree Farm' holiday collection". Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  10. ^ a b c Hegedus, Eric (December 6, 2019). "Taylor Swift drops 'Christmas Tree Farm' song as homage to childhood". New York Post. Archived from the original on December 9, 2019. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
  11. ^ "Taylor Swift "Christmas Tree Farm"". MusicNotes. December 10, 2019. Archived from the original on January 22, 2021. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  12. ^ Bailey, Alyssa (December 6, 2019). "Taylor Swift's "Christmas Tree Farm" Lyrics Are Personal, Jolly, And Romantic". Elle. Archived from the original on December 6, 2019. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  13. ^ Mendez, Michel (December 6, 2019). "Taylor Swift's "Christmas Tree Farm" Lyrics Will Make You Feel So Nostalgic". Elite Daily. Archived from the original on December 9, 2019. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  14. ^ Thompson, Eliza; Truong, Peggy; Newbould, Niko (October 14, 2021). "These Are, Hands Down, the Best Christmas Songs of All Time". Cosmopolitan. Archived from the original on December 8, 2016. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  15. ^ Hopper, Alex (December 24, 2022). "5 Underrated Christmas Songs You Should Be Listening to This Holiday Season". American Songwriter. Archived from the original on December 24, 2022. Retrieved December 24, 2022.
  16. ^ a b Trust, Gary (December 18, 2019). "Taylor Swift Plants 'Christmas Tree Farm' on Hot 100 & Adult Contemporary Chart". Billboard. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
  17. ^ a b Trust, Gary (August 3, 2020). "Taylor Swift Charts 16 Songs From 'Folklore' on Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  18. ^ a b "Taylor Swift Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved December 24, 2019.
  19. ^ a b "Croatia ARC TOP 100". HRT. Archived from the original on January 23, 2021. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  20. ^ a b "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 14, 2019.
  21. ^ a b "Taylor Swift – Christmas Tree Farm" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  22. ^ a b "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
  23. ^ a b "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Archived from the original on June 14, 2017. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  24. ^ a b "Taylor Swift Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  25. ^ a b "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  26. ^ a b "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. January 1, 2024. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  27. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. December 17, 2020. Archived from the original on March 5, 2021. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
  28. ^ "Billboard Global 200". Billboard. January 3, 2021. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
  29. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. December 31, 2021. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  30. ^ Huff, Lauren (December 6, 2019). "Taylor Swift releases new song 'Christmas Tree Farm' with home video montage — watch now". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on December 6, 2019. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  31. ^ "Taylor Swift - Christmas Tree Farm (Lyric Video)". December 6, 2019. Retrieved December 11, 2019 – via YouTube.
  32. ^ Blistein, Jon (December 23, 2019). "Watch Taylor Swift Craft 'Christmas Tree Farm' in Behind-the-Scenes Video". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on December 25, 2019. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  33. ^ Iasimone, Ashley (December 8, 2019). "Taylor Swift Performs 'Christmas Tree Farm' Live for the First Time at Capital FM's Jingle Bell Ball: Watch". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 9, 2019. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  34. ^ Mastrogiannis, Nicole (December 14, 2019). "Taylor Swift Brings Holiday Cheer to Jingle Ball with "Christmas Tree Farm"". iHeartRadio. Archived from the original on December 14, 2019. Retrieved December 14, 2019.
  35. ^ a b "Christmas Tree Farm (Recorded Live at the 2019 iHeartRadio Jingle Ball) - Single by Taylor Swift on Apple Music". Apple Music. December 19, 2020. Archived from the original on December 19, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  36. ^ a b "Christmas Tree Farm / Taylor Swift". Tidal. Archived from the original on December 6, 2019. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  37. ^ "Taylor Swift – Christmas Tree Farm" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  38. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Canada AC)". Billboard. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  39. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  40. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  41. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Euro Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
  42. ^ "Top Singles (Week 52, 2023)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  43. ^ "Taylor Swift – Christmas Tree Farm" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  44. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  45. ^ "Taylor Swift – Christmas Tree Farm" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  46. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. December 16, 2019. Archived from the original on February 2, 2020. Retrieved December 14, 2019.
  47. ^ "Christmas Tree Farm – Taylor Swift". El Portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Archived from the original on January 4, 2022. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  48. ^ "Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 51". Sverigetopplistan. Archived from the original on December 23, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  49. ^ "Taylor Swift – Christmas Tree Farm". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
  50. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  51. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 24, 2019.
  52. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Holiday 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  53. ^ "Top 100 Songs". Rolling Stone. December 6, 2019. Archived from the original on December 14, 2019. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
  54. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  55. ^ "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 52, 2023". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  56. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  57. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  58. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Holiday 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  59. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  60. ^ "British single certifications – Taylor Swift – Christmas Tree Farm". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  61. ^ "christmas tree farm picture disc". Taylor Swift Official Store. Archived from the original on November 27, 2020. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  62. ^ "Christmas Tree Farm (Old Timey Version) (Amazon Original)". music.amazon.com. Archived from the original on December 16, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  63. ^ "Christmas Tree Farm (Old Timey Version) - Single by Taylor Swift on Apple Music". Apple Music. November 23, 2022. Archived from the original on November 23, 2022. Retrieved November 23, 2022.


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