Both Jess Glynne and Justin Bieber are set to enter the Official Singles Chart Top 40 this week with their covers of festive songs, which are available exclusively through the Amazon original’s festival season series. According to Official Charts on 23rd November, Bieber’s version of Brenda Lee’s ‘Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree’ has went up 64 places to Number 29 and Glynne’s take on Donny Hathaway’s ‘This Christmas’ is a new entry at number 37.
Could it be @JustinBieber vs. @JessGlynne for this year's Christmas Number 1? #XmasNo1 https://t.co/tq8THYdZ0l
— Official Charts (@officialcharts) November 23, 2020
Jess has previously had seven UK Number 1’s, which is the most ever for a British Female solo artist. Her new festive song is in the running for a Christmas UK Number 1 hit. Signed CD and Vinyl copies of the single will be available to purchase from Amazon UK from the 18th December, a week before the Christmas Number 1 is revealed.
Official Charts have reported Jess to have said about her new Christmas song, “I chose ‘This Christmas’ by Donny Hathaway as I love the tone of this record and I’m thankful that Amazon Music have given me the opportunity to do my own version of it for them. This year has been such a hard one and there’s no doubt this Christmas is going to be difficult for so many people. Music is so important as it gives us moments of escapism and I think more than ever having an uplifting feel good song is so necessary.”
Bieber has had recent success with his new release ‘Holy’ featuring Chance the rapper, taken from his sixth ‘new era’ studio album, which went straight to Number 1 in the UK’s Official Trending Chart. Speaking about his new Christmas cover, Bieber said to NME, “‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’ has always been one of my favourite songs to celebrate the holidays and I’m excited to team up with Amazon Music to share my own version, with my fans.”
As well as these two tracks exclusive to the streaming service, other artists taking part in the programme include Mary J Blige, who has covered Whams ‘Last Christmas’ and Jamie Cullum who is releasing a version of ‘In The Bleak Mid Winter.’ Lennon Stella has also joined the programme with her rendition of the Carpenter’s song ‘Merry Christmas Darling,’ along with Carrie Underwood who’s releasing her original track ‘Favourite Time Of Year.’
The vice president of Music Industry at Amazon Music, Ryan Redington said to NME, “This Christmas season, it’s important for us to bring our customers more reasons to smile, and to create ways for them to connect with their favourite artists while at home with family.” Katie Perry was the artist to put out a festive tune through the Amazon original series with ‘Cozy Little Christmas,’ which peaked in the charts at number 22. Last year Ellie Goulding celebrated her first chart topper in four years with her rendition of the Joni Mitchell song, ‘River’ which went straight to Number 1.
Patrick Clifton, head of Amazon Music UK told NME, “After Katy Perry’s top forty Christmas Original in 2018 and Ellie Goulding’s ‘River’ topping the charts last year, we’re really excited for our listeners to hear Jess Glynne’s take on the Donny Hathaway classic, as well as the rest of the collection of Christmas Originals that will connect music fans with some of their favourite artists.”
