"Step into Christmas" is a Christmas song written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, and performed by Elton John. It was released as a stand-alone single in November 1973 with the song "Ho, Ho, Ho " as the B-side. Upon its original 1973 release, the song peaked at No. 24 on the UK Singles Chart, and it reached a new peak of No. 8 on the same chart in 2019. In the United States, the single reached No. 56 on the Cash BoxTop 100 Singles chart and No. 1 on the BillboardChristmas Singles chart. "Step into Christmas" was later included as a bonus track on the 1995 remastered re-issue of the albumCaribou, even though it was released in the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road era. It also appears on the albums Elton John's Christmas Party, Rare Masters, To Be Continued, Diamonds and various Christmas compilation albums. Two versions with different vocals are known to exist: the original single mix and a version recorded for John's 1973 performance of "Step into Christmas" on The Gilbert O'Sullivan Show television program. In 2009, "Step into Christmas" was the ninth most played Christmas song of the noughties in the UK. In December 2018 the song was certified Gold by the British Phonographic Industry for sales of 400,000 copies. In December 2019 it was certified Platinum by the British Phonographic Industry for sales of 600,000 copies.
Recording
According to liner notes about the song, the track and its B-side, both produced by Gus Dudgeon, were recorded during a session on 11 November 1973 at London's Morgan Studios, which was owned by drummer Barry Morgan, who had played on several of John's early albums. "Step into Christmas" was mixed to sound like one of producer Phil Spector's 1960s recordings, using plenty of compression and imitating his trademark wall of sound technique. This was intentional according to both John and Taupin, and an homage of sorts to Christmas songs by Spector-produced groups such as The Ronettes.
Music video
A music video was produced to promote the single, and is notable for its cameo appearance of Taupin, who is seen briefly playing tubular bells during the song's bridge. John is also seen holding his Watford F.C. supporters card. John would later go on to own the club.
