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One More Sleep
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"One More Sleep"
Single by Leona Lewis
from the album Christmas, with Love
Released5 November 2013 (2013-11-05)
Recorded2013
Studio
GenreChristmas
Length3:59
Label
Songwriters
Producers
  • Stannard
  • Ash Howes
Leona Lewis singles chronology
"Lovebird"
(2012) 		"One More Sleep"
(2013) 		"Fire Under My Feet"
(2015)
Music video
"One More Sleep" on YouTube

"One More Sleep" is a song recorded by British singer Leona Lewis. It was released as the lead single from her first Christmas album and fourth studio album, Christmas, with Love (2013), on 5 November 2013 through RCA Records and Syco Music. The song was written by Lewis in collaboration with Richard "Biff" Stannard, Iain James, Jez Ashurst and Bradford Ellis, and was produced by Richard "Biff" Stannard. "One More Sleep" is a Motown-inspired christmas song, which lyrically consists of Lewis counting down the days until she can be with her lover on Christmas day. The track garnered critical acclaim, with many critics considering it to be one of the best Christmas songs of all time. In 2025, Billboard ranked "One More Sleep" 12th on their "Best New Christmas Songs of the 21st Century" list.[1]

Commercially, "One More Sleep" achieved success, reaching number three on both the UK Singles Chart and Scottish Singles Chart in December 2013. It has appeared on the UK Singles Chart every year since its release. The song has been certified triple platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), denoting sales of 1.8 million copies in the country. Elsewhere, the track has placed on numerous record charts worldwide, reaching the top twenty in Ireland, and the top sixty in the Netherlands and Switzerland; additionally it has been certified Gold in Denmark and New Zealand, respectively. In 2025, the Official Charts Company named "One More Sleep" as the biggest Christmas song released in the 21st Century in the UK, with the track garnering over 190 million streams.[2] Additionally, that same year the song was announced by the Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL) as being the most played modern Christmas track on UK radio stations.[3]

Lewis' promoted "One More Sleep" through televised performances on shows including the season finales of both The X Factor UK and The X Factor US, and at the 81st Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony in New York, in December 2013. Most recently, she performed the song as part of her Las Vegas residency, A Starry Night, between 2025 and 2026.

Background

[edit]
Simon Cowell (pictured) came up with the idea for Lewis to record a Christmas album.[4]

In February 2013, a representative from Syco Music, Lewis' record label, announced that she was about to start writing and recording material "imminently" for her fourth studio album, and that it would be released in late 2013.[5] The news came after Lewis announced that she had parted ways from Modest! Management, the management team who had represented her since she won the third series of The X Factor in 2006.[5] Various media outlets speculated that this was due to the weak commercial performance of her third studio album, Glassheart, which was released in November 2012. It became her first album to not debut at number one or earn platinum certification in the United Kingdom.[5] It was also reported that the second single from the album, "Lovebird", had sold fewer than 600 copies, meaning that it failed to attain one of 200 chart positions on the UK Singles Chart, and this was another contributing factor to her departure.[5][6]

In June 2013, speculation arose that Lewis' fourth album would in fact be a Christmas album, after British production duo MagicIT tweeted that they were in a studio recording Christmas songs with the singer.[7] The following month, Lewis confirmed that she was indeed in the process of recording a Christmas album.[4][8] She revealed that it was recorded on the recommendation of Syco boss Simon Cowell.[4][8] Speaking in July 2013 about the decision to record a Christmas album at this point in her career, Lewis further explained how Cowell had come up with the idea: "Simon is still very much involved in my career and helps me out. He came up with the Christmas album idea, and we both kind of felt it was the right time to go ahead with it."[9]

Release

[edit]

On 24 October 2013, Lewis unveiled "One More Sleep" as the album's lead single, and she released the single cover artwork a week later, on 31 October.[10][11] The artwork is a head shot of Lewis holding a red bow over her left eye.[11] The song was released as a digital download in the United States on 5 November through RCA Records,[12] Ireland, Italy and Switzerland through Sony Music Entertainment[13][14][15] and the United Kingdom through Syco Music on 29 November,[16] and multiple other European countries on 2 December, including France and Spain.[17][18] Lewis uploaded a Cahill remix of the song to her official SoundCloud account on 21 November 2013.[19]

Production and composition

[edit]

"One More Sleep" was co-written by Lewis in collaboration with Richard "Biff" Stannard, Iain James, Jez Ashurst and Bradford Ellis. Stannard and Ash Howes produced the song, while they and Lewis carried out the vocal production. It was recorded by Biffco and mixed by Howes at Biffco Studios, Brighton, and Angel Recording Studios, London. The song utilised a multitude of instrumentalists: Keys and programming were performed by Ashurst, Stannard and Howes; Celli by Nick Holland; drums by Freddy Sheed and bass by Knight Time Horns; trombone by Barnaby Dickinson and trumpet by Graeme Flowers; James Knight performed the saxophone; strings were led by Rolf Wilson, arranged and conducted by Cliff Masterson and booked by Roz Colls; Rolf Wilson, Simon Baggs, Steve Morris, Julian Leaper, Tom Piggot Smith, Richard George, Jonathan Hill, Laura Bruce White, Tim Grant, Reiad Chibah performed the violins; and violas by Greg Walmsley, Nerys Richards. Background vocals were sung by Katie Holmes, Kelli-Leigh Henry-Davila and Bianca Claxton, while Choir vocals were performed by Diva singers, who were arranged and conducted by Masterson.[20]

"One More Sleep" is a Motown inspired song which lasts for a duration of 3:59.[16][21] The hook consists of a Christmas countdown, whereby Lewis sings "Cause I got five more nights of sleeping on my own/ Four more days until you’re coming home/ Three more dreams of you and mistletoe/ Two more reasons why I love you so."[22] Lewis "trills" the lyrics "I've got five more nights of sleeping on my own/ Four more days until you're coming home" over the Motown inspired beat of xylophone phones and jingle bells. Waiting the return of her partner to come home on Christmas Day, Lewis adopts an "angelic tone" as she sings "Three more dreams of you and mistletoe/ Two more reasons why I love you so."[21] Popjustice praised the "5-4-3-2-1 device", calling it "excellent."[23]

Critical reception

[edit]

"One More Sleep" garnered acclaim from music critics. It has been included on many critics' lists of the best Christmas songs of all time.[24][25][26][27] In 2024 Billboard ranked the song 18th on the "Best New Christmas Songs of the 21st Century" list.[28] In 2025, Billboard picked the song 12th on "The 30 Best Christmas Songs of the 21st Century (So Far): Staff Picks" list.[1]

Writing for Digital Spy, Lewis Corner wrote that "One More Sleep" is more "heart-warming" and "sweet" than a Christmas pudding, and that is likely to become an annual Christmas staple song. He awarded the song four out of a possible five stars.[21] Sam Lanksy of Idolator wrote that the song is "wonderfully old-fashioned", with "ooh-oohs" sung in the background and "twinkly" production. Lanksy continued to write that if "One More Sleep" fails to get listeners in the mood for Christmas, then "nothing" else would.[22] Popjustice wrote that "One More Sleep" is "so incredible" that listeners forget that it is one of "the most toxic phrases in the English language", and awarded the song nine out of a possible ten stars.[23] Michael Cragg, a writer for The Guardian, was complimentary of the song and wrote that it is worthy of ranking alongside Kelly Clarkson's Christmas song "Underneath the Tree" (Wrapped in Red) as 2013's "best song to get drunk to at a Christmas party."[29] He praised the decision for "legendary" producer Richard Stannard to produce the song, as well as the Spector influence.[29]

Chart performance

[edit]

United Kingdom

[edit]

In the United Kingdom, "One More Sleep" debuted at number 34 on the UK Singles Chart on 8 December 2013,[30] and rose to its peak position of number three the following week.[31] Only 300 copies separated "One More Sleep" from attaining the number-two position, which was claimed by Avicii's "Hey Brother".[32] With "One More Sleep" peaking inside the top five on the UK Singles Chart, Lewis set a new record for British female solo artist with the most top five singles in the history of the chart, bringing her total to eight.[33] She achieved her first top five single "A Moment Like This" in 2006, which peaked at number one, and her most recent until "One More Sleep" was "Collide" in 2011, which peaked at number four. As a result, Lewis overtook Olivia Newton-John's record tally of seven top five singles.[33] The following week, the song held onto its peak position of number three, before falling to number 15 in its fourth week.[34] The track departed the UK Singles Chart in its fifth week.[35] On the UK Singles Downloads Chart, "One More Sleep" debuted at number 36 on 8 December 2013,[36] and jumped to number two the following week.[37] It slipped one position to number three in its third week,[38] and number 14 in its fourth before falling off the chart altogether.[39] In December 2014, the song re-entered the UK Singles Chart at number 80, and spent a further week at number 92.[40] In December 2015, it re-entered the chart for one week at number 83.[40] The song has re-entered the UK Singles Chart every year since its release during the Christmas period, attaining its highest position since 2013 in December 2018, when it reached number 8.[41] Its most recent entry was in December 2025, when it peaked at number 32, an improvement over its number 34 peak the prior year. In total, "One More Sleep" has spent a total of 54 weeks on the UK charts, and is Lewis' longest charting song in the country.[40] In December 2021, "One More Sleep" surpassed 1,000,000 equivalent units in the UK, and in 2024 it was certified triple platinum.[42] "One More Sleep" is the fourth biggest Christmas song of the 21st century in the United Kingdom, having sold over 1.46 million units.[43] In 2024, One More Sleep was recognised as the most played modern Christmas song of the 21st century in the country.[44]

International

[edit]

For the week ending 7 December 2013, "One More Sleep" debuted at number 31 on the South Korea International Singles Charts, with first week sales of 4,266 copies.[45] In the United States, the song debuted at number 16 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart on 9 December.[46] It rose one position to number 15 in its second week,[47] and to number 10 in its third week.[48] It peaked at number 23 on the US Holiday Digital Songs chart.[49] In Ireland, "One More Sleep" peaked at number 19.[50]

Music video

[edit]

The official music video for "One More Sleep" was uploaded to Leona's official VEVO account on 30 November 2013. Lewis's boyfriend Dennis Jauch appears in the video. Lewis said the video "came from an idea we did a little while ago where a camera crew came into the studio and shot me and my friend just kinda messing around and just in the studio being me".[51] Michael Cragg from The Guardian wrote that it does not matter what happens in the music video, as he believes that no Christmas single has ever had a good video. However, he further wrote that Lewis had "ripped off" Wham!'s music video for "Last Christmas".[29]

Live performances

[edit]

Lewis embarked on a promotional tour across Europe prior to the album's release. On 9 November 2013, Lewis performed "One More Sleep" and "White Christmas" for the first time at the Regent Street Christmas lights switch-on event in London, England.[52] Other musical performers included Passenger and Eliza Doolittle.[53] On 22 November, Lewis gave a free concert in Zurich, Switzerland, at the NRJ Energy Stars for Free Festival in front of audience of 13,000 people.[54] The following evening, Lewis performed a short set at London's G-A-Y nightclub.[citation needed]

In the United States, Lewis appeared on NBC's The Today Show on 4 December in New York City to talk about the album.[55] On the same day, she performed at the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting event, where she performed "White Christmas", "One More Sleep" and "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday".[56][57] The following day on 5 December, Lewis made an appearance on Live! with Kelly and Michael.[citation needed] Lewis performed "One More Sleep" live at the semi-finals of the tenth series of The X Factor on 8 December[58] and again on This Morning on 13 December.[citation needed] Leona performed "I Wish It Could be Christmas Everyday" on The Jonathan Ross Show and "One More Sleep" at ITV's Daybreak. Lewis performed at The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Billboard Studio Sessions and on The Today Show on 25 December. Also in the US, Leona appeared in NBA Promo for ABC and ESPN.

On 2 December 2018, Lewis joined Scarlet Lee to perform "One More Sleep", which would have been Scarlet's winner's song if she had won.[59]

In 2023, Lewis performed the song on her Christmas with Love Tour.

Formats and versions

[edit]

Single release version[16]

  1. "One More Sleep" – 3:59

Streaming – Dance Remix[19]

  1. "One More Sleep" (Cahill Remix) – 3:47

Remixes – EP[60]

  1. "One More Sleep" – 4:01
  2. "One More Sleep" (Instrumental) – 3:58
  3. "One More Sleep" (Cahill Club Mix) – 6:07
  4. "One More Sleep" (Cahill Radio Edit) – 3:47

Credits and personnel

[edit]

Recording

Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Christmas, with Love. (Syco, Sony, RCA).[20]

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[80] Gold 45,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[81] Gold 15,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[82] 3× Platinum 1,800,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]

Grokipedia

One More Sleep

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
"One More Sleep" is a Christmas song by British singer Leona Lewis, serving as the lead single from her debut holiday album, Christmas, with Love. Released on 29 November 2013 in the United Kingdom, the track is a festive pop ballad co-written by Lewis, expressing anticipation for Christmas Eve and a loved one's return home.[1][2] The song features upbeat instrumentation with holiday themes, including references to snow, mistletoe, and countdowns to the holiday, and was produced by Richard Stannard and Ash Howes.[3] It debuted and peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart, marking Lewis's highest-charting single since 2008, and has accumulated 49 weeks on the chart through annual re-entries.[2][4] Accompanied by an official music video directed by Dominic O'Riordan and Warren Smith and released on 30 November 2013, the visual depicts Lewis in a whimsical, snow-covered wonderland setting.[5] In 2024, "One More Sleep" was recognized as the United Kingdom's most-played modern Christmas song of the 21st century, based on airplay data analysis, solidifying its status as a contemporary holiday classic.[6][4]

Background and development

Album context

Following the commercial underperformance of her third studio album Glassheart, released in October 2012, Leona Lewis encountered significant career challenges, including mounting pressures from her label and an amicable split from her longtime management company in February 2013.[7][8] The album's lead single had failed to chart highly, prompting a period of reflection for Lewis as she navigated her next steps under Syco Music.[9] In the aftermath, Syco boss Simon Cowell suggested that Lewis pivot to a Christmas project during a post-Glassheart meeting, aiming to leverage the lucrative holiday music market where seasonal releases often achieve strong sales and streaming success.[10] Lewis embraced the idea, viewing it as an opportunity to explore festive sounds after a decade focused on pop and R&B albums like her debut Spirit (2007) and follow-up Echo (2009).[10] Her personal affinity for holiday music, rooted in childhood traditions, further fueled this direction, providing creative renewal amid recent setbacks.[11] Titled Christmas, with Love, the album marked Lewis's fourth studio release and first holiday effort, scheduled for December 2, 2013, in the UK via Syco and RCA Records.[12] It featured a mix of original tracks and covers with a Motown-inspired vibe, positioning "One More Sleep" as the lead single.

Song conception

"One More Sleep" was selected as the lead single from Leona Lewis's debut Christmas album Christmas, with Love to evoke the anticipation and excitement building toward the holiday, employing a countdown theme that parallels the days leading up to Christmas. The title draws directly from a familiar British expression used by children to mark the remaining nights before a special event, such as Christmas, which Lewis highlighted as a key inspirational element in interviews.[13] The collaboration on the song began during the album's development in mid-2013, with Lewis co-writing it alongside Richard Stannard, Iain James, Jez Ashurst, and Bradford Ellis. This partnership aimed to craft an original track amid the album's mix of covers and new material, focusing on Lewis's vision for a contemporary holiday sound.[14] Lewis played a central role in conceptualizing "One More Sleep" as a Motown-inspired holiday song, seeking to differentiate it from conventional carols by infusing upbeat, nostalgic energy reminiscent of 1960s girl-group styles and Phil Spector productions. She drew from her own childhood experiences with family holiday traditions to infuse the track with authenticity and joy.[15] Early concepts for the song centered on themes of romance and family reunion, capturing the warmth of holiday gatherings and the personal thrill of anticipation that Lewis associated with Christmas as a rare opportunity for rest and reconnection with loved ones. These ideas shaped the track's emotional core before full production, emphasizing childlike wonder alongside adult sentimentality.[13]

Composition and recording

Writing process

The writing of "One More Sleep" involved a collaborative effort led by Leona Lewis alongside songwriters Richard "Biff" Stannard, Iain James, Jez Ashurst, and Bradford Ellis, with Lewis contributing significantly to the lyrics and overall structure as one of the primary creators.[16] This team brought together Lewis's vocal expertise and personal input with Stannard's production-oriented songcraft, known from prior hits, to craft an original holiday track amid the album's development in early 2013.[10] The process emphasized joyful, upbeat energy, diverging from Lewis's previous more introspective work, as she described the sessions as "so much fun" while exploring "super joyful and super happy" themes unfamiliar to some of the writers.[10] Lyrically, the song centers on themes of anticipation and longing for a loved one's return during the holiday season, capturing the emotional buildup to Christmas from a perspective blending childlike excitement with adult yearning.[1] Imagery evokes festive romance through references to falling snow, mistletoe kisses, and the warmth of homecoming, culminating in the iconic countdown hook—"five more nights, four more days, three more dreams, two more reasons, one more sleep"—which structures the chorus as a rhythmic progression toward reunion.[1] This hook emerged as a central element during writing, providing a memorable, repetitive device that mirrors the impatience of waiting, with Lewis noting its roots in universal holiday sentiments like "night-before-Christmas anxiousness."[10][17] Musically, the track adopts an upbeat pop style infused with Motown influences, drawing from the soulful, horn-driven energy of classic holiday records to create a lively, danceable vibe rather than somber carols.[18] The composition evolved through iterative sessions in London during the summer of 2013, where initial ideas for originals like this one were fleshed out quickly under a clear Motown-inspired vision, transforming basic sketches into a polished chorus-driven structure before full recording.[10] Lewis poured personal emotion into the process, viewing it as a soulful expression that initially built momentum slowly but has since solidified as a festive staple.[19][20]

Production details

The production of "One More Sleep" was led by Richard Stannard and Ash Howes, who served as producers and also handled vocal production alongside Leona Lewis.[1][21] The track was recorded in 2013 as part of sessions for Lewis's Christmas album Christmas, with Love.[1] Lewis's vocals were tracked with an emphasis on a playful delivery to capture the song's festive energy, complemented by live instrumentation that incorporated retro Motown influences for a warm, nostalgic holiday feel.[18] The track has a runtime of 3:59.[21] Mixing was completed by Stannard and Howes, accentuating the track's lively tempo of 113 beats per minute and layered orchestration evoking bells and strings for seasonal depth.[21] Mastering was performed by Mark Santangelo at Sterling Sound.[21]

Release and formats

Release dates and strategies

"One More Sleep" received its initial digital release in the United States on November 5, 2013, serving as the lead single from Leona Lewis's holiday album Christmas, With Love.[22] This early launch allowed for building anticipation ahead of the holiday season in key markets. The release was followed by a rollout in the United Kingdom and Ireland on November 29, 2013, strategically aligned with the buildup to Christmas to maximize seasonal radio airplay and consumer engagement.[23] Regional variations featured earlier availability on iTunes in select international markets starting November 8, 2013, broadening initial exposure beyond North America.[3] The promotional strategy emphasized integration with album pre-orders, positioning the single as a teaser for Christmas, With Love, which followed on November 29, 2013, in the UK. Efforts focused on holiday radio play to capitalize on festive programming, including an exclusive performance preview on the semi-final of the tenth series of The X Factor on December 8, 2013, leveraging Lewis's origins from the show for heightened visibility.[24] Syco Music and RCA Records managed distribution and the initial marketing push, coordinating a multi-market campaign to drive streams and sales during the peak holiday period.[25]

Available versions

The standard version of "One More Sleep" runs for 3:59 and was released as a digital download single on November 5, 2013, and as a promotional CD single in the UK.[21] A remixes EP, titled One More Sleep (Remixes), was issued digitally on November 5, 2013, featuring the Cahill Radio Edit at 3:47 as a club-oriented version, alongside extended mixes such as the Cahill Club Mix (6:07), Buzz Junkies Extended Mix (5:40), and Cutmore Extended Mix (5:54).[26][27] An acoustic rendition, lasting 4:00, was released as a standalone digital single on December 4, 2020.[28] The original full version appears as the opening track on Leona Lewis's 2013 holiday album Christmas, with Love.[29] The 2021 deluxe reissue, Christmas, with Love Always, retains the full version while adding two new songs, "Kiss Me It's Christmas" (featuring Ne-Yo) and "If I Can't Have You".[30] In 2023, the standard version was included on the compilation album Feliz Natal 2023.[31] It has also appeared on various Spotify holiday playlists, such as seasonal pop and Christmas collections.[32]

Promotion

Music video

The official music video for "One More Sleep" was directed by Dominic O'Riordan and Warren Smith and premiered on Leona Lewis's official VEVO YouTube channel on November 30, 2013, coinciding closely with the single's digital release the day prior.[33] Filming took place in October 2013, capturing Lewis in a series of joyful, holiday-themed sequences at a winter holiday home setting adorned with festive decorations.[33][34] The video features Lewis preparing for Christmas alongside her then-boyfriend, professional dancer Dennis Jauch, with whom she shares intimate moments like dancing and affectionate glances that underscore the song's theme of holiday romance.[5] It incorporates lively group scenes with cameos from Lewis's close friends and family members, who join in celebratory activities such as gift-wrapping, toasting with champagne, and dancing amid twinkling Christmas lights and ornate decorations, evoking a warm, communal festive spirit.[33][35] Initial reception from media outlets highlighted the video's charming and heartwarming portrayal of holiday joy, with Music Times praising its upbeat, party-like vibe as a fitting complement to the track's throwback production.[36] However, The Guardian's Michael Cragg critiqued its aesthetics for echoing the snowy, romantic imagery of Wham!'s iconic "Last Christmas" video, questioning the originality while acknowledging the lighthearted fun among Lewis and her companions.[18] Fan responses on platforms like YouTube echoed this mixed sentiment, appreciating the relatable intimacy but noting the visual parallels to classic Christmas clips.[37]

Live performances

Leona Lewis debuted "One More Sleep" live on November 9, 2013, at the Regent Street Christmas lights switch-on event in London, where she performed the track alongside "White Christmas" to a large outdoor crowd amid the festive light display.[38] The performance marked the song's first public rendition, setting a celebratory tone for her Christmas album promotion with its upbeat energy and holiday-themed setting.[39] In the following weeks, Lewis brought the song to major television platforms, including an appearance at the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony in New York on December 4, 2013, broadcast as part of NBC's Today Show coverage, where she wore a golden sequined dress and delivered the track against the iconic tree backdrop.[40] She followed this with a medley performance with "White Christmas" on the UK edition of The X Factor on December 8, 2013, during the show's live results episode.[24] These broadcasts highlighted the song's festive staging, incorporating holiday visuals like illuminated decorations to enhance its anticipatory Christmas theme. Lewis also incorporated "One More Sleep" into seasonal concert series, such as various Jingle Ball events in late 2013, where the live renditions emphasized interactive elements to engage audiences during the holiday season. Performances often featured her in shimmering, holiday-inspired outfits and subtle snow-like effects to evoke winter wonder, fostering sing-alongs that amplified the track's communal holiday spirit.[41] The song saw renewed live prominence in later years, particularly during Lewis's Christmas with Love Tour in late 2023, which spanned multiple UK dates including Nottingham, Glasgow, and London, where "One More Sleep" served as a frequent set closer to cap the holiday-themed shows.[42] These tour appearances continued into the 2024 holiday season with additional TV specials and live events, maintaining its status as a seasonal staple through energetic, audience-participatory deliveries.[43]

Critical reception

Initial reviews

Upon its release in November 2013, "One More Sleep" received largely positive reviews from critics, who praised its festive energy and Leona Lewis's vocal performance. The Guardian described the track as one of the album's more upbeat and enjoyable originals, noting its lively vibe reminiscent of classic holiday pop while acknowledging the album's somewhat brazen recreation of retro sounds.[44] Digital Spy awarded the single four stars, calling it a heart-warming and sweet ditty with a Motown sway of xylophone and jingle bells, and predicting it would become a festive staple akin to enduring hits by Mariah Carey and Wham!. The review highlighted Lewis's angelic tones as perfectly suited to the season, emphasizing the song's twinkling charm and potential for annual replay.[45] Coverage in Billboard underscored the song's place within the Motown-inspired framework of Lewis's Christmas album, marking it as a fresh, snappy lead single that showcased her venture into soulful holiday pop. Similarly, Rolling Stone featured Lewis discussing the track's Phil Spector-influenced production style, which blended retro orchestration with modern appeal to offer a novel take on Christmas music.[25][46]

Accolades and rankings

"One More Sleep" has garnered recognition in various year-end and retrospective lists celebrating modern Christmas music. In 2024, Billboard ranked the song at number 18 on its "Best New Christmas Songs of the 21st Century" list, praising its upbeat energy and festive appeal as a standout holiday track from 2013.[47] Additionally, it has been featured prominently in Spotify's curated holiday playlists, positioning it as a leading modern Christmas song alongside contemporary festive hits.[48] Since its release, "One More Sleep" has appeared in "best Christmas songs" compilations by major publications, including The Independent's selections of beloved and guilty-pleasure holiday tunes in 2022, Time Out London's 2018 survey where it was among the least favourite Christmas songs, and Time Out Singapore's top picks for festive tracks. In 2024, it was named the United Kingdom's most-played modern Christmas song of the 21st century, based on airplay data analysis.[49][50][51][6]

Commercial performance

Weekly charts

"One More Sleep" debuted on the UK Singles Chart at number 34 on 14 December 2013, before ascending to its peak position of number 3 the following week. The track maintained strong holiday season momentum, charting for four weeks that initial year, and has since become a perennial festive staple with annual re-entries, accumulating a total of 49 weeks on the chart as of the week ending 2 January 2025. Its chart runs typically span late December through early January, reflecting seasonal airplay and sales boosts; for instance, it logged three weeks in 2014–2015, four weeks in 2017–2018, and five weeks each in 2022–2023, 2023–2024, and 2024–2025.[2][52] In the United States, the song achieved its highest position on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, reaching number 10 for one week dated 4 January 2014. It has experienced recurring seasonal placements on Billboard's holiday-oriented charts, including the Holiday 100 and Holiday Airplay, with consistent top 50 re-entries from 2013 through 2024, underscoring its growing American holiday radio presence.[53] On the Irish Singles Chart, "One More Sleep" entered at number 25 and peaked at number 19, sustaining 34 total weeks across multiple holiday seasons from 2013 onward.[52]
CountryChartDebut PositionPeak PositionTotal Weeks
United KingdomOfficial Singles Chart34 (14 Dec 2013)349 (as of Jan 2025)
United StatesBillboard Adult Contemporary-10 (Jan 2014)1
IrelandIrish Singles Top 100251934

Year-end charts

"One More Sleep" ranked at number 156 on the 2013 UK year-end singles chart, reflecting its late-year entry and initial commercial impact.[54] From 2014 to 2024, the song has consistently re-entered the UK Singles Chart during the holiday season, achieving positions within the top 100 each year and demonstrating sustained seasonal popularity.[55] As of December 2023, it stands as the fourth biggest-selling Christmas song of the 21st century in the UK, with 1.46 million combined sales and streams. By December 2024, combined units reached 1.8 million.[56][57] In the United States, it reached number 10 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart in 2014, with ongoing holiday airplay supporting its annual visibility, though specific year-end rankings in holiday airplay charts remain outside the top 50.[52]

Certifications

"One More Sleep" has earned certifications in multiple territories reflecting its commercial success through sales and streaming. In the United Kingdom, the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) awarded the single 3× Platinum certification on December 20, 2024, for 1,800,000 units, encompassing physical and digital sales as well as streaming equivalents (with approximately 900,000 units from streams).[57] The track was certified Gold in New Zealand by Recorded Music NZ in 2014, denoting 15,000 units sold.[2] In the United States, no certification has been issued by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), though the song has exceeded 276 million global streams as reported in 2024.[4] As of November 2025, no further certifications have been announced, with ongoing holiday season activity potentially leading to updates in the coming months.

Legacy

Recent popularity

In the 2020s, "One More Sleep" has seen a notable resurgence, driven by increased streaming and airplay during the holiday season. In November 2024, PPL, the UK organization for music rights, recognized the song as the most-played modern Christmas track of the 21st century based on airplay data from UK radio and TV, accumulating the equivalent of 14 weeks of continuous play since its 2013 release.[6] Streaming figures underscore this growth, with the track surpassing 234 million global streams on Spotify as of December 2024 and recording 115 million streams on the platform that year, fueled by annual spikes when featured on Spotify and Apple Music holiday playlists. As of November 2025, streams have exceeded 248 million.[58][59][60] The song has been integrated into Leona Lewis's live performances, including during her 2023 UK Christmas with Love Tour in arenas and theaters, as well as her 2025–2026 Las Vegas residency "A Starry Night" at The Venetian Resort, where it debuted in the show on November 1, 2025.[61][62] Its distinctive countdown hook has inspired viral TikTok challenges, where users create holiday anticipation videos synced to the chorus. Media coverage in 2024 highlighted the track's enduring appeal, featuring it in holiday specials and playlists while ranking it highly in polls of modern Christmas songs, such as those from Official Charts Company.[55]

Cultural impact

"One More Sleep" has exerted a notable influence on contemporary Christmas pop music by exemplifying how original holiday tracks can achieve lasting radio and streaming success in an era dominated by classics. Released in 2013, the song stands as one of the few modern compositions to break into the UK's top 20 most-played Christmas songs, highlighting its role in revitalizing the genre alongside enduring hits like Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You."[63] The track has been prominently featured in various media, enhancing its presence in holiday programming. It soundtracked performances in major events such as the 92nd Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2018, where Lewis delivered a live rendition, and appeared in UK television specials like The Jonathan Ross Show in 2021.[64] Additionally, the song has been integrated into seasonal broadcasts, including Lewis's return to The X Factor in 2013 to promote it, reinforcing its association with festive entertainment.[65] Fans have embraced "One More Sleep" as a staple for holiday rituals, with Lewis herself fostering engagement through annual social media countdowns that build excitement leading to Christmas. Since its release, the song has inspired listener traditions around the anticipation of the holiday, amplified by its recurring airplay and Lewis's promotional posts. As Lewis's signature holiday offering, "One More Sleep" has played a pivotal role in sustaining and reviving her career trajectory post-2013. The track's annual resurgence, culminating in its designation as the UK's most-played modern Christmas song in 2024, has kept her relevant amid shifting pop landscapes.[55] This enduring appeal directly influenced her 2025–2026 Las Vegas residency "A Starry Night" at The Venetian Resort, where the song serves as a centerpiece alongside her hits, marking a significant U.S. breakthrough and holiday-focused career milestone.[66][62]

References

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  6. Leona Lewis parts ways with longtime management company
  7. Leona Lewis parts with management company - Daily Record
  8. Leona Lewis New Christmas Album - ELLE
  9. Leona Lewis: Christmas LP Has Provided 'New Inspiration' For Next ...
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  11. Leona Lewis Cuts a Phil Spector-Style Christmas Album
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  13. Leona Lewis unveils One More Sleep remix - Digital Spy
  14. Why Leona Lewis Felt Scared, Nostalgic and Weird When ...
  15. Who wrote “One More Sleep” by Leona Lewis? - Genius
  16. Top 20 Best Modern Christmas Songs | Articles on WatchMojo.com
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  18. Leona Lewis: 'I hope I get sick of One More Sleep' - Daily Express
  19. How Leona Lewis became the UK queen of Christmas with One ...
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  21. When did Leona Lewis release “One More Sleep”? - Genius
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  34. Leona Lewis invites friends and boyfriend Dennis Jauch into One ...
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  37. Leona Lewis throws the festive Christmas party of the year in 'One ...
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  46. The 25 Best Christmas Songs of the 21st Century (So Far): Staff Picks
  47. Women of Christmas | Spotify Playlist
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  49. Revealed: London's favourite Christmas songs - Time Out
  50. The Best Christmas Songs To Play During The Holidays - TimeOut
  51. One More Sleep by Leona Lewis - Music Charts - Acharts.co
  52. List of Adult Contemporary top 10 singles in 2014 (U.S.) - WikiLists
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  58. Leona Lewis's earnings for One More Sleep revealed - The Sun
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  60. Do they know it's Christmas? Where are the new festive classics?
  61. Leona Lewis Belts 'One More Sleep' on 'The Jonathan Ross ...
  62. Leona Lewis returns to X Factor to promote new single - The Mirror
  63. Leona Lewis to make US debut on Las Vegas Strip | Kats! - Neon
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