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5 Reasons Why Kelly Clarkson's "Underneath The Tree" Is The Undisputed Modern Christmas Anthem Of 2024

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Every holiday season, a familiar, brassy, and impossibly cheerful tune begins its annual ascent on the global music charts, solidifying its place as the definitive modern Christmas classic: Kelly Clarkson's "Underneath the Tree." This powerhouse track, a standout from her 2013 album Wrapped in Red, has not only endured but has actually grown in popularity, reaching new chart peaks and streaming milestones over a decade after its release. As of this current date in December 2025, the song is enjoying yet another massive resurgence, driven by high-profile live performances and its undeniable status as a festive earworm, making it a crucial part of the contemporary holiday soundtrack.

The song’s continued dominance is a testament to its perfect blend of classic Phil Spector-esque production and Clarkson’s signature vocal power, managing to sound both timeless and fresh. While many artists attempt to release original holiday music, "Underneath the Tree" stands alone as the most successful original Christmas hit of the 21st century, second only to Mariah Carey’s perennial juggernaut. Its story—from its spontaneous creation to its 2024 chart-topping achievements—is as compelling as the song itself, proving that sometimes, the greatest hits are written the fastest.

Kelly Clarkson: A Brief Biography and Career Profile

  • Full Name: Kelly Brianne Clarkson
  • Born: April 24, 1982, in Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
  • Occupation: Singer, Songwriter, Author, Television Host
  • Breakthrough: Winner of the inaugural season of American Idol in 2002.
  • Studio Albums: Thankful (2003), Breakaway (2004), My December (2007), All I Ever Wanted (2009), Stronger (2011), Wrapped in Red (2013), Piece by Piece (2015), Meaning of Life (2017), When Christmas Comes Around... (2021), Chemistry (2023).
  • Major Hits: "A Moment Like This," "Since U Been Gone," "Because of You," "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)," "My Life Would Suck Without You," and the holiday classic "Underneath the Tree."
  • Television Work: Coach on NBC's The Voice (2018–2023), Host of the daytime talk show The Kelly Clarkson Show (2019–Present).
  • Awards: Multiple Grammy Awards, Daytime Emmy Awards, and Billboard Music Awards.
  • Noteworthy Fact: She is the first artist to top the Billboard Hot 100, Adult Contemporary, Adult Pop Songs, and Country Songs charts.

The Shocking Speed of a Christmas Classic: How "Underneath the Tree" Was Born

The creation story of "Underneath the Tree" is almost as legendary as its yearly chart performance, highlighting the spontaneous genius of its creators. The song was co-written by Kelly Clarkson and her frequent collaborator, the acclaimed songwriter and producer Greg Kurstin. Kurstin is a musical powerhouse known for working with artists like Adele, Sia, and Paul McCartney, and his partnership with Clarkson has yielded numerous hits, including this holiday masterpiece.

Clarkson has often revealed that "Underneath the Tree" is the fastest song she has ever written. The inspiration struck while she and Kurstin were waiting for a sushi delivery in the studio. This casual, high-pressure environment led to a burst of creativity, resulting in a fully formed, instant Christmas classic. The speed of its creation belies the song's intricate, joyous sound, which features a massive wall of sound, driving percussion, and soaring horns—a deliberate homage to the iconic "Wall of Sound" technique pioneered by Phil Spector in the 1960s.

The song was the lead single from her first-ever Christmas album, Wrapped in Red (2013), which itself became a landmark holiday release. The album successfully blended classic covers with new, original material, but "Underneath the Tree" instantly stood out. Lyrically, the track focuses on the true meaning of Christmas, emphasizing that material gifts are secondary to love and companionship. Lines like "Presents, what a beautiful sight, don't mean a thing if you ain't holding me tight" perfectly encapsulate the song's message of prioritizing love and company.

The Undisputed Chart Dominance of the 21st Century's Biggest Modern Holiday Hit

While "All I Want for Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey maintains its title as the ultimate holiday song, "Underneath the Tree" has carved out a distinct and incredibly successful niche as the biggest original Christmas track of the 21st century. Its chart performance is not just impressive; it's a phenomenon that compounds every holiday season, demonstrating its evergreen appeal and topical authority.

The song’s peak position on the Official Charts has steadily climbed since its 2013 release, transforming it into a perennial holiday favorite. In a significant milestone, the song finally broke into the UK Top 10, proving its growing global reach. The track has also achieved massive success on streaming platforms, surpassing an astounding 1.2 billion streams on Spotify, a metric that firmly places it in the pantheon of holiday giants. This streaming success is a key indicator of its appeal to younger generations and its continued relevance in the digital music landscape.

In the 2024 holiday season alone, the song has already shown remarkable strength, topping the official charts in territories like Ireland and Latvia. Furthermore, it consistently ranks high on the Billboard Holiday 100 Chart, often rising around Thanksgiving week as the holiday music season officially kicks off. Its enduring success has even earned it a spot on the ASCAP list of Top 10 New Classic Holiday Songs, cementing its status as a modern standard that will be played for decades to come.

The 2024 Resurgence: Live Performances and New Media Exposure

The 2024 holiday season has been particularly significant for "Underneath the Tree," with Kelly Clarkson giving the song major visibility through high-profile performances, ensuring it remains at the forefront of the public consciousness. These appearances serve not just as performances but as cultural events that re-ignite interest and drive streaming numbers.

Key 2024 Appearances:

  • Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting: Kelly Clarkson delighted fans by performing "Underneath the Tree" at the iconic 2024 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. Her powerhouse vocals and the festive setting provided a massive, televised platform for the song, kicking off the holiday season with a bang.
  • Netflix NFL Christmas Gameday: In a move that blends holiday cheer with major sports entertainment, Clarkson was announced to headline the Show Open for the Netflix NFL Christmas Gameday, performing her holiday single. This unexpected pairing introduces the song to a massive, non-traditional holiday audience, further diversifying its reach beyond typical seasonal listeners.
  • The Kelly Clarkson Show: As the host of her own popular daytime talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, she frequently incorporates the song and other holiday themes into her programming, ensuring continuous promotion and a personal connection to the music.

These strategic, high-visibility performances in late 2024 are crucial to the song’s continued chart success, proving that a great song coupled with smart marketing and a powerful live delivery is the recipe for a timeless hit. The combination of its classic sound, its romantic, heartfelt message, and its annual chart climb makes "Underneath the Tree" more than just a song—it’s an essential part of the modern Christmas experience, a joyous anthem that promises a perfect holiday, provided you have the one you love.

The song’s infectious energy, driven by the strong brass section and Clarkson's dynamic vocal delivery, ensures that it is a staple for everything from holiday shopping playlists to family gatherings. Its longevity is a powerful reminder that while trends come and go, a genuinely well-crafted, emotionally resonant holiday song can achieve a level of immortality, securing Kelly Clarkson's legacy as the Queen of the 21st Century Christmas.

kelly clarkson underneath the tree
kelly clarkson underneath the tree

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