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"Santa Tell Me"
A pink square with the song's title in cursive writing
Single by Ariana Grande
B-side"True Love"
ReleasedNovember 24, 2014 (2014-11-24)
Recorded2014
StudioMXM Studios (Stockholm, Sweden)[1]
Genre
Length3:24
LabelRepublic
Songwriters
ProducerIlya
Ariana Grande singles chronology
"Love Me Harder"
(2014) 		"Santa Tell Me"
(2014) 		"One Last Time"
(2015)
Music video
"Santa Tell Me" on YouTube

"Santa Tell Me" is a Christmas song by American singer-songwriter Ariana Grande. It was released as a single by Republic Records on November 24, 2014, and was included on the Japanese exclusive reissue of Grande's first EP Christmas Kisses (2013), as well as a "naughty version" on Grande's second EP Christmas & Chill (2015). She and Savan Kotecha co-wrote the song with its producer Ilya Salmanzadeh.

"Santa Tell Me" has become a modern Christmas standard, with a significant rise in popularity every Christmas season. It became the first holiday song released in the 21st century to reach the top five in the United States when it peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2024, ten years after being released. It has reached the top ten in numerous other countries worldwide, including Australia, Austria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Slovakia, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, as well as the top 20 in Belgium, Croatia, Ireland, Malaysia and the Philippines. On the Billboard Global 200 chart, "Santa Tell Me" additionally peaked at number five.

Chris Marrs Piliero directed the track's music video, which was released on Grande's official Vevo on December 12, 2014. She first performed the song at the 2014 A Very Grammy Christmas concert in the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on November 18, 2014.

Background

[edit]

Grande released her first Christmas EP titled Christmas Kisses on December 17, 2013.[2] The extended play contains four songs, and included covers of classics, such as "Santa Baby" and Wham!'s "Last Christmas". It also contained two original songs: "Love Is Everything" and "Snow in California".

"Santa Tell Me" was first mentioned by Grande on October 28, 2014, in a livestream through Twitcam.[3][4] In the livestream, she said that she did not want to do a Christmas song at first, but she changed her mind. Grande also announced that a music video would accompany "Santa Tell Me", and that this song was her favorite Christmas song out of all of the ones she had recorded so far.

She officially announced the song and its title on her Twitter page on November 13, 2014, saying, "putting out a kewt Christmas song for u on nov 24th called Santa Tell Me! lil something for the holidays :) so excited #10DaysTilSantaTellMe."[5] It was also released to US mainstream radio.[citation needed]

Promotion and release

[edit]

Grande used the hashtag #10DaysTilSantaTellMe on Twitter to initiate the 10-day countdown of the song's release. She also performed the song for the first time on November 18, 2014, at the 2014 A Very Grammy Christmas concert in the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, CA.[6] On November 18, Republic Records released the cover art of the song, which depicts a simple light pink background with "Santa Tell Me" written in the middle in golden script.[7] On November 21, Republic Records also released a 15-second snippet of "Santa Tell Me" through their Instagram page; the preview contained part of the chorus.[8] Grande tweeted the last hashtag on November 23, #SantaTellMeTonight. She also posted the iTunes link of the song, which was then available for pre-order.[9]

"Santa Tell Me" was released at midnight on November 24 on iTunes.[10] The audio was also uploaded to Grande's official YouTube channel, ArianaGrandeVevo on November 24.[11] Shortly after its release, the lyric video was uploaded to Vevo on November 26. It contains various photos of Grande from her childhood during Christmas.[12]

Composition

[edit]
"Santa Tell Me"
A 20-second sample of "Santa Tell Me", where the chorus is heard.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Santa Tell Me" is a Christmas song with influences of pop and R&B. It is written in the key of G major, with a moderate tempo of 96 beats per minute in common time. Grande's vocals range from the low note of B3 to the high note of A5. Lyrically, the song features the protagonist asking Santa Claus to tell her if her new lover "really cares", and whether he will leave her like men in her past have.[citation needed]

Songwriters Savan Kotecha and ILYA wanted to write a Christmas song and the idea for "Santa Tell Me" came to Kotecha when he was taking a shower. In an interview with Songwriting Magazine, he said, "I was in the shower in LA and it just came into my head. I have the voice note somewhere. I just stepped out of the shower, got water all over the phone and I recorded it." The pair then swapped ideas before Grande came in and helped finish the song.[13]

Critical reception

[edit]

Robbie Daw of Idolator opined that "Santa Tell Me" was a "cute, harmless stocking stuffer that ticks all the necessary boxes, in that there's classic instrumentation, a hummable chorus and lyrics that reflect a mixture of the festive season with the possibility of heartbreak at the holidays",[14] while Brian Mansfield of USA Today compared the song unfavorably to Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You", stating that it fell short in its attempt at becoming a "seasonal staple".[15]

Billboard placed "Santa Tell Me" at number 13 on their "The 100 Best Christmas Songs of All Time" list. It is the highest-ranking song on the list among those released in the 21st century.[16]

Commercial performance

[edit]

"Santa Tell Me" has recurrently charted in several nations every year since its original release in 2014. In the United States, "Santa Tell Me" debuted at number 65 on the weekly US Billboard Hot 100 chart dated December 13, 2014, and reached number 42 in its original run.[17] Six years later, "Santa Tell Me" re-entered the Hot 100 at a new high of number 39 on the chart issue dated December 19, 2020, earning Grande her 35th top 40 entry of her career. It has since peaked at number 5, becoming Grande's 23rd top 10 hit and 17th top 5 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.[17] The song is the most recently released Christmas hit to reach the top ten of the Hot 100 and is tied with Kelly Clarkson's "Underneath the Tree" as the first songs of the 21st century to do so. It is the sole holder of the most recently released holiday song to reach the top 5. The song also peaked at number seven on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart on the week ending December 27, 2014. It also topped the Billboard Holiday 100 chart on the week ending January 10, 2015, becoming only the third song, and second by a female artist, to do so since the chart's inception in 2010. As of 2024, it has been certified 4× Platinum for having sold 4 million units in the United States. On the Billboard Global 200, which tracks the most streamed and digitally sold songs in over 200 territories, "Santa Tell Me" peaked at number five, becoming Grande's third top-five hit on the chart.[18]

In Canada, "Santa Tell Me" debuted at number 73 on the Canadian Hot 100, eventually reaching a peak of number 27 in its first chart run. The track re-entered the Canadian Hot 100 chart, and has since attained a new peak of number eight in 2020, becoming Grande's 19th top ten hit in the country.[19]

In the United Kingdom, "Santa Tell Me" debuted on the UK Singles Chart at number 79 for the week of December 6, 2014, originally peaking at number 68 three weeks later. In 2015, it failed to re-enter the charts; however, in 2016, the song reached number 90. In 2017, it was among many other holiday songs (such as "Driving Home for Christmas" and "Step into Christmas") reaching new chart peaks in the UK by re-entering the UK Singles Chart at number 60, and climbing to an even higher position of number 29 the following week. It eventually reached number 13 on the week of December 28, 2018, attaining the same position once again the following year (in December 2019). In November 2023, "Santa Tell Me" re-entered the UK Singles Chart for an eighth consecutive year, reaching an overall peak position of number 8 in late December. With over 220 million plays, "Santa Tell Me" is also the eighth most played Christmas track in the United Kingdom. It is the highest-placed modern Christmas song present in the top forty and the most streamed Christmas track in the United Kingdom released since 2010.[20][21]

Legacy

[edit]

"Santa Tell Me" has been dubbed a modern Christmas standard for its popularity in music streaming services throughout the years during the Christmas season.[22] In a report published by ASCAP, "Santa Tell Me" was listed as the most-performed new and original holiday song in their repertoire in the years 2014, 2015, and 2021.[23][24][25] Georgia Evans and Ella Doyle from Time Out discussed how Grande managed to create a Christmas mega-hit and how "she came closer than almost any other pop star in the 30-ish years since "All I Want for Christmas Is You" in terms of success.[26] By early December 2023, the song had earned $6.8 million in royalties.[27][28] In 2024, American Songwriter described "Santa Tell Me" as the fourth-highest-earning Christmas song "of the streaming age" as it had been streamed more than 239 million times and had earned its songwriters $959,000.[29]

Due to the song's lasting impact, Grande has been named "Princess of Christmas".[30][31] As of December 2024, "Santa Tell Me" was one of the 10 most-streamed Christmas songs of all-time and the most-streamed Christmas song of the 2010s decade on streaming platform Spotify.[32][33][34]

The song was included in Billboard's revision of their Greatest of All Time Holiday 100 Songs at 19th position[35] while Cosmopolitan picked "Santa Tell Me" as one of the 75 best Christmas songs of all time.[36] Due to the song being internationally popular during the Christmas season, it has been covered multiple times by various artists, such as Pentatonix, Nayeon from Twice[37] and Jessica Vosk.[38]

Music video

[edit]

The official video was released on December 12, 2014. It was directed by Alfredo Flores and Jones Crow.[39] The video features Grande with her friends dancing, laughing and giving gifts around her house along with a two-minute outtake section at the end.[40] It surpassed 100 million views on November 26, 2016, making it Grande's fourteenth Vevo-certified music video after "Let Me Love You".[41]

Live performances

[edit]

Grande first performed "Santa Tell Me" on November 18, 2014, at the A Very Grammy Christmas concert in the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.[6] The concert aired on December 5, 2014, on CBS.[42] She also performed "Santa Tell Me" as part of the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour 2014.[43][44] On December 8, 2014, Grande performed the song while taping the Disney Parks Frozen Christmas Celebration TV special which aired on Christmas Day.[45] The song was added to the setlist of the second North American leg of Grande's Sweetener World Tour, along with "December", "True Love", "Wit It This Christmas" and "Winter Things". On December 23, 2024, Grande released a live rendition of the song, recorded at Jungle City Studios in New York during sessions for Eternal Sunshine (2024), to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the song.

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications for "Santa Tell Me"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[119] 3× Platinum 210,000‡
Austria (IFPI Austria)[120] 3× Platinum 90,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[121] Platinum 60,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[122] 6× Platinum 480,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[123] 4× Platinum 360,000‡
Germany (BVMI)[124] Platinum 400,000‡
Hungary (MAHASZ)[125] Platinum 3,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[126] 2× Platinum 200,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[127] 2× Platinum 60,000‡
Norway (IFPI Norway)[128] 3× Platinum 180,000‡
Portugal (AFP)[129] Platinum 10,000‡
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[130] Platinum 60,000‡
South Korea — 2,500,000[131]
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[132] Gold 15,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[134] 3× Platinum 1,980,000[133]
United States (RIAA)[135] 4× Platinum 4,000,000‡
Streaming
Greece (IFPI Greece)[136] Platinum 2,000,000†
Japan (RIAJ)[137] Gold 50,000,000†
Sweden (GLF)[138] 3× Platinum 24,000,000†

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
"Santa Tell Me" release history
Region Date Format(s) Label Ref.
Various November 24, 2014 Digital download Republic [10]
Italy December 13, 2024 Radio airplay Island [139]
United Kingdom December 16, 2024
Republic [140][141][142]
France December 20, 2024 7-inch vinyl Polydor [143]
United States
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • cassette
  • CD
 Republic [144][145][146]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Santa Tell Me

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
"Santa Tell Me" is a pop by American singer , released as a standalone single on November 24, 2014, by . It was later included on her 2015 EP . Co-written by Grande alongside songwriter and producer —who also handled production—the track originated from a casual idea during a 2014 writing session in , blending upbeat pop melodies with holiday-themed lyrics about seeking romantic advice from . Upon release, "Santa Tell Me" quickly gained traction as a modern holiday anthem, debuting on the Holiday Airplay chart and entering the Hot 100 at number 65 on December 13, 2014; it has since re-entered the chart seasonally for over a decade, accumulating over 30 weeks and achieving a peak position of number 5 on January 4, 2025, driven by streaming surges during the period. The song's simple , directed by Chris Marrs Piliero and featuring Grande dancing in festive pajamas with friends, premiered on and has amassed hundreds of millions of views, contributing to its viral appeal on and radio. In 2024, to mark its tenth anniversary, Grande released a live version recorded at a studio, further cementing its status as a perennial favorite with over 1.3 billion streams as of November 2025 and rankings among top holiday tracks in subsequent years.

Background and Development

Writing Process

"Santa Tell Me" was co-written by Ariana Grande, Savan Kotecha, and Ilya Salmanzadeh during the summer of 2014. The song's creation began when Kotecha, while in the shower in Los Angeles in July, came up with the chorus melody and recorded a voice note despite the sound of running water. This initial spark was part of an inside joke among the writers, as Kotecha (of Indian descent) and Salmanzadeh (Iranian) humorously pondered crafting a Christmas song despite their non-traditional backgrounds for the holiday. Conceived in mid-2014 as a follow-up to Grande's 2013 EP Christmas Kisses, the track emerged from collaborative efforts to produce a modern song blending pop and R&B elements with festive motifs. Kotecha shared the demo with Salmanzadeh in , who quickly added chords and structure remotely. The team then refined the verses together before involving Grande, who contributed to the lyrics, focusing on a playful yet heartfelt exploration of skepticism toward seasonal romance—questioning whether cheer masks fleeting affections. Writing sessions primarily took place in Los Angeles, where Kotecha and Grande worked intensely over a few days to finalize the song. Kotecha later recalled the process as highly productive, stating, "It took a few days to write it and get it right, but during that time, especially with Ariana, we were on fire." This collaboration resulted in a track that captured Grande's vocal style while infusing Christmas themes with contemporary R&B flair, setting it apart from traditional holiday fare.

Recording and Production

"Santa Tell Me" was recorded at MXM Studios in , , and Wolf Cousins Studios in Stockholm, Sweden, in late 2014. The track was primarily produced by , who also served as vocal producer and contributed keyboards and programming, with providing additional arrangement, programming, and keyboards. Recording engineers included Cory Bice and Sam Holland, while Noah Passovoy handled vocal editing to layer Ariana Grande's performances, emphasizing her multi-tracked harmonies and ad-libs for a full, festive vocal texture. The instrumentation centers on synthesizers and keyboards to drive the upbeat pop rhythm, complemented by string arrangements from Mattias Bylund that add a subtle orchestral warmth, alongside holiday-inspired percussion elements like sleigh bells for seasonal flair.

Composition and Lyrics

Musical Elements

"Santa Tell Me" is classified as a incorporating elements of and holiday , characterized by its upbeat, festive sound driven by synthesizers and rhythmic percussion. The track's production emphasizes a glossy, modern aesthetic typical of early 2010s pop, with layered vocals and subtle electronic flourishes that enhance its seasonal vibe without relying on traditional orchestral arrangements. Musically, the song is composed in the key of G major, employing a 4/4 time signature and a moderate tempo of 96 beats per minute, which contributes to its danceable yet relaxed energy. Its harmonic structure revolves around simple, repetitive chord progressions—primarily G, C, Em, and D—that support the melody's accessibility and catchiness, allowing for easy sing-alongs during the holiday season. The composition adheres to a conventional , consisting of an intro, two verses, corresponding pre-choruses, multiple choruses, a bridge for variation, and a fading outro, resulting in a concise runtime of 3:24. This straightforward arrangement builds momentum through escalating vocal harmonies in the choruses and a brief break, maintaining listener engagement throughout. Influences from 1990s and 2000s pop Christmas recordings, such as those by , are evident in the song's blend of romantic pop sensibilities with jingly, celebratory motifs.

Thematic Content

The lyrics of "Santa Tell Me" center on a core theme of skepticism toward fleeting holiday romances, with the narrator pleading with for reassurance about the of a potential interest. This stems from repeated experiences of temporary that dissolves shortly after the festive season, highlighting a desire for emotional amid the cheer. The portrays love during the holidays as intoxicating yet risky, urging Santa to intervene and prevent another heartbreak by revealing whether the object of truly cares or if the connection is doomed to fade. The narrative unfolds in the first person as a direct appeal to Santa, recounting past instances where romantic sparks ignited on Christmas but extinguished by New Year's, leaving the narrator wary of repeating the cycle. Lines such as "Fell in love on Christmas night / But on New Year's Day, I woke up and he wasn't by my side" illustrate this pattern of disappointment, framing the holiday period as a time of vulnerability where illusions of enduring love often crumble. The plea escalates in the chorus, where the narrator implores, "Santa, tell me if you're really there / Don't make me fall in love again if he won't be here next year," positioning Santa as a mythical confidant who can pierce the romantic uncertainty. This structure builds a sense of introspection, transforming a whimsical holiday wish into a poignant reflection on trust and self-protection. Emotionally, the song strikes a tone of playful , merging lighthearted humor with underlying melancholy to capture the bittersweet essence of seasonal longing. The upbeat invocation of —fireplaces, , and Santa's magic—contrasts with the narrator's guarded pleas, creating a humorous yet heartfelt acknowledgment of love's precariousness. This blend evokes a of cautious , where the fear of during the holidays tempers the joy of potential connection, making the feel relatable and endearing.

Release and Promotion

Single Release

"Santa Tell Me" was released as a single by on November 24, 2014. The song was initially distributed as a standalone digital download via . served as the primary label and distributor for the release. It later became available on streaming platforms. Following its single launch, the track was included on the Japanese reissue of Ariana Grande's 2013 EP Christmas Kisses.

Promotional Activities

Republic Records initiated promotional efforts for "Santa Tell Me" with a 15-second teaser clip shared on their official account in mid-November 2014, featuring snippets of the upbeat holiday track's chorus to generate early fan interest. This hint was followed by the release of a full snippet on , 2014, allowing listeners a preview of the pop-infused single ahead of its official launch. Grande also promoted the single on using the #10DaysTilSantaTellMe in the lead-up to its release. The campaign continued with the upload of the complete audio track to Ariana Grande's Vevo YouTube channel on November 23, 2014, providing immediate streaming access and amplifying online visibility. The single officially premiered via Vevo at midnight on November 24, 2014, coinciding with its digital availability for purchase on platforms like iTunes for $1.29, targeting holiday season downloads. Further promotion included the release of an official lyric video on November 26, 2014, which featured childhood photos of Grande alongside holiday-themed visuals to engage her audience and encourage shares during the festive period. These digital-focused tactics emphasized quick online dissemination and social sharing, capitalizing on the emerging importance of streaming services for holiday music discovery in 2014.

Critical Reception

Initial Reviews

Upon its release in November 2014, "Santa Tell Me" received generally positive initial feedback from music critics, who highlighted its upbeat and festive qualities alongside Ariana Grande's vocal performance. Billboard announced the track's release, describing it as a song in which Grande turns to Kris Kringle for romantic advice this holiday season, noting its immediate appeal following her American Music Awards performance. Similarly, Glamour praised Grande's delivery, noting that the song arrived right after her "insanely talented" medley at the American Music Awards and was "sure to be on repeat this holiday season." Critics appreciated the song's catchy melody and Grande's versatile , which blended smooth runs with playful energy to evoke both joy and romantic uncertainty. called it "just so catchy," suggesting it had the potential to rival established holiday ballads in popularity. Spin echoed this in a of Grande's live , labeling the song "frothy and harmless," a lighthearted addition to her set that captured the fun of seasonal pop. Some responses were mixed, pointing to the track's conventional holiday pop formula despite its charms. In , Brian Mansfield wrote that while "Santa Tell Me" would likely become "one of this year's most popular new songs," it "falls short" as a potential seasonal staple like Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You," resembling a "jingly cross-breed" of Wham!'s "" and Amy Grant's "Baby Baby." No aggregate scores, such as from , were assigned to the single at the time.

Retrospective Praise

In the 2020s, critics have increasingly hailed "Santa Tell Me" as a modern holiday standard, praising its seamless blend of festive cheer and relatable vulnerability that has allowed it to endure alongside century-old classics. Publications like have noted how the track, just a decade old, has "entered the " through consistent annual resurgences, cementing its status as a staple in contemporary holiday playlists. Similarly, Cosmopolitan described it as an "instant classic" that successfully captures the genre's magic without relying on nostalgia alone. The song has garnered significant accolades in retrospective holiday music rankings, underscoring its lasting impact. In Billboard's 2024 compilation of the best Christmas songs of the 21st century, it placed second, lauded for its light-hearted soft-pop vibe and ability to stand out among peers. Time Out included it among the 50 best Christmas songs of all time in 2024, recognizing it as a modern favorite. These honors reflect a critical consensus on its role as a benchmark for post-2000s holiday pop. Anniversary reflections in 2024 further emphasized the song's timelessness, with critics highlighting its bubbly melody and playful plea for enduring romance as key to its appeal. Billboard's review of Grande's 10th-anniversary live performance called it a "holiday classic" with "enduring charm" that continues to resonate deeply with audiences. Forbes echoed this, stating it is "widely regarded as one of the catchiest... and all-around best Christmas songs of the past several decades," crediting its introspective yet festive tone for sustained relevance. In a broader ranking of Grande's discography, Billboard praised how it evokes "the spirit of the season" through clever lyrics about holiday flings that outlast December. "Santa Tell Me" has been viewed as a pivotal bridge in Grande's career, establishing her holiday persona and elevating her among elite interpreters of the genre. By co-writing the track, Grande infused it with personal flair, which critics credit for transitioning her from pop newcomer to a commanding voice in seasonal music, as seen in her inclusion in an exclusive cadre of with top-tier holiday successes. This foundation has informed her subsequent festive endeavors, reinforcing her image as a versatile .

Commercial Performance

Chart Achievements

"Santa Tell Me" debuted on the US at number 65 in December 2014, reaching a peak of number 42 that holiday season before falling from the chart. The song has re-entered the annually during the holiday period, with progressively higher placements in subsequent years, including number 32 in 2020 and number 12 in 2023. In December 2024, it achieved its first top 10 entry at number 9, marking a significant milestone for the decade-old track, and further climbed to its overall peak of number 5 on the chart dated January 4, 2025, becoming Ariana Grande's 17th top-five hit on the ranking. On the 100 chart, "Santa Tell Me" has demonstrated enduring popularity, debuting at number 1 in 2021 and maintaining a strong presence across multiple seasons with extended chart runs. Internationally, the has seen notable success on various national charts, often re-entering during periods. The following table summarizes its key peaks:
Country/ChartPeak PositionYear of Peak
UK Singles Chart ()82020
( Canada)82021
Singles Chart (Australia)52023
In November 2025, "Santa Tell Me" experienced a surge in streaming activity ahead of the season, recording daily streams exceeding 1 million on for the first time that year, highlighting its growing digital footprint.

Sales and Certifications

"Santa Tell Me" has achieved multi-platinum status in several markets, reflecting its enduring commercial success as a staple. , the is certified 4× Platinum by the (RIAA), equivalent to 4 million units including sales and on-demand streaming activity, as of 2024. , it holds a 3× Platinum certification from the (BPI), denoting 1.8 million units. Similarly, awarded it 4× Platinum status in January 2024, representing 320,000 units in . Globally, the track's certified sales surpass 6 million units across major territories by 2025, with streaming equivalents pushing total consumption well over 5 million units when accounting for audio and video plays. On , it has amassed more than 1.31 billion streams worldwide as of late 2025. The official on has exceeded 316 million views, contributing additional streaming equivalents. The song's revenue impact underscores its value within Grande's holiday catalog, generating over $4.2 million from Spotify streams alone through 2024. Overall royalties from the track are estimated to exceed £3.6 million, bolstering earnings from her Christmas releases like the EP Christmas Kisses.

Music Video

Concept and Filming

The music video for "Santa Tell Me" was directed by Alfredo Flores and Jones Crow. The creative concept embraced a relaxed, festive pajama-party atmosphere, showcasing alongside her close friends as they danced, laughed, and exchanged gifts in a warmly decorated home environment evoking holiday cheer. This intimate setup highlighted themes of friendship and seasonal joy, with participants clad in cozy Christmas-themed and animal-ear headbands to enhance the playful, low-key vibe. Filming occurred in December 2014 in Los Angeles, just days before the video's premiere, and adopted a deliberately homemade aesthetic to reflect its origins as a last-minute backup production after the label rejected an initial, more provocative idea. The low-budget approach emphasized authenticity, utilizing Grande's real-life friends in the cast rather than professional actors, which contributed to the video's genuine, unpolished charm and sense of camaraderie.

Release and Reception

The music video for "Santa Tell Me" premiered on Ariana Grande's official YouTube channel on December 12, 2014, directed by Alfredo Flores and Jones Crow and featuring Grande alongside her friends in a cozy, pajama-clad holiday setting. As of November 2025, the video had amassed over 317 million views on YouTube, reflecting its enduring popularity as a seasonal staple. Critics and fans praised the video for its fun and festive aesthetic, capturing a relatable sense of cheer through simple dancing and group camaraderie that evoked cozy gatherings. Some reviewers noted minor critiques regarding its straightforward simplicity, suggesting the storyline could have been more elaborate to enhance engagement.

Performances and Covers

Live Performances

debuted "Santa Tell Me" live in December 2014, shortly after the song's release, during promotional appearances tied to radio events and holiday specials. She first performed it at the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball on December 12 in , delivering an energetic rendition with full backing band amid a star-studded lineup. The song also featured in her set at the Q102 Jingle Ball on December 10 in , where she showcased its upbeat pop elements to a live audience. Additionally, Grande performed it on A Very GRAMMY Christmas, taped on November 16 and aired December 5 on , marking one of the track's earliest televised outings. She closed out the month's promotions with a performance at the on December 25, incorporating festive visuals to complement the song's holiday theme. In 2019, during the North American leg of her , Grande revived "Santa Tell Me" for select December dates, integrating it into holiday-themed segments of the show. The performances, often part of a medley with tracks from her EP, featured full-band arrangements with elaborate staging, including artificial snow effects to enhance the seasonal atmosphere; notable stops included Nashville on December 5 and New York on November 9. These tour renditions highlighted the song's enduring appeal in Grande's live repertoire, blending pop-rock energy with orchestral touches. Grande has varied the song's live presentation across full-band and more intimate setups, adapting it to different venues and contexts. Early holiday specials like the 2014 GRAMMY event emphasized a polished, ensemble-driven sound, while the amplified it with high-production elements such as lighting and pyrotechnics. To mark the song's 10th anniversary, Grande released a new live version on December 23, 2024, recorded earlier that year at Power Station Studios during sessions for her album Eternal Sunshine. The performance, featuring a full band with guitar, , keys, bass, and a , was shared via and , where clips quickly garnered millions of views from fans celebrating the milestone. This release underscored the track's lasting popularity, with Grande thanking supporters in accompanying posts for a of holiday streams and airplay.

Notable Covers

One of the most prominent covers of "Santa Tell Me" is the rendition by the vocal group , released on their 2020 holiday album . This version highlights the group's signature layered harmonies and beatboxing, adapting Grande's pop track into a festive ensemble performance that garnered millions of streams. South Korean singer of the group Twice released a cover in 2019, featured on her holiday-themed content and shared via official channels, blending vocals with the song's upbeat melody. Similarly, the rock cover band First to Eleven delivered an energetic cover in 2019, emphasizing guitar-driven arrangements while preserving the original's holiday cheer. On television, the song received a masked performance by contestant Snowstorm during season 8 of The Masked Singer in 2022, introducing it to a broad audience through a competitive cover format. The track has appeared in various media, including the 2018 episode "" of the Fox series , where it underscored holiday scenes. In the 2020s, "Santa Tell Me" fueled numerous trends, particularly dance challenges that went viral during the 2022, 2023, and 2024 holiday seasons—especially following the 2024 anniversary—with amassing compilations with millions of views and encouraging . Humorous parodies have proliferated on YouTube, such as a 2015 skit-style parody incorporating fan submissions and a 2021 sports-themed version by Canucks fans reimagining the lyrics for hockey humor. These interpretations, along with media placements and social trends, have broadened the song's appeal beyond its original release, sustaining its status as a modern holiday staple among diverse audiences.

Legacy and Impact

Cultural Significance

"Santa Tell Me" has established itself as a modern holiday staple, experiencing an annual resurgence on radio and streaming platforms since its release. The track routinely re-enters major charts each holiday season, with notable climbs such as its fourth consecutive re-entry on the Official Singles Chart in , soaring from outside the top 100 to No. 29. On the , it debuted at No. 65 and peaked at No. 42 in 2014, reaching No. 33 by , reflecting sustained listener interest. By late 2024, the song had amassed over 1.2 billion streams on , often ranking among the platform's top modern tracks (third or fourth). The song has fostered a vibrant fan culture, particularly through social media engagement and seasonal playlists. On , "Santa Tell Me" has inspired over 125,000 user-generated videos as of 2025, contributing to its ongoing popularity among younger demographics. Fans frequently incorporate it into holiday playlists on streaming services, where it appears alongside traditional favorites, amplifying its presence in personal and shared celebrations. This digital footprint has helped embed the track in contemporary holiday rituals beyond initial radio play. "Santa Tell Me" has revitalized interest in pop , appealing to younger audiences with its upbeat, contemporary sound that blends vulnerability and festivity. Released as was emerging as a , the song introduced a fresh perspective on themes, encouraging new original compositions in the genre. It is often positioned alongside enduring classics like Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You," both sharing a playful spirit and vocal showcase that have made them perennial contenders in music rankings. This comparison underscores its role in bridging generational divides in festive listening.

Recent Milestones

In 2024, "Santa Tell Me" marked its tenth anniversary with a series of celebratory releases and promotions. Ariana Grande shared social media posts reflecting on the song's enduring popularity, including a heartfelt message thanking fans for a decade of support. To commemorate the milestone, Republic Records issued a Tenth Anniversary Edition on December 16, available in formats such as 7-inch vinyl, CD, and cassette for the first time. On December 23, Grande released an official live version of the track, recorded at Jungle City Studios in New York during sessions for her album Eternal Sunshine, which was shared as audio and video across her platforms including YouTube. The anniversary aligned with a significant chart resurgence, as "Santa Tell Me" entered the Hot 100's top 10 for the first time at No. 9 on the chart dated December 28, 2024, driven by 27.7 million official streams and strong radio airplay. The song continued climbing, reaching a new peak of No. 5 on the Hot 100 dated January 4, 2025, underscoring its sustained holiday appeal. Entering the 2025 holiday season, "Santa Tell Me" demonstrated ongoing dominance by re-entering the U.S. Spotify chart as early as November 1, with daily streams quickly surpassing 1 million by early November, including 1.03 million on November 3. This early resurgence highlighted the track's record-breaking streaming momentum, building on its total of over 1.3 billion Spotify plays accumulated since release as of November 2025. By mid-November, the song maintained strong performance, reinforcing its position as a perennial holiday staple.

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