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Ed Sheeran and Elton John are releasing a Christmas single
Ed Sheeran and Elton John are joining forces in a bid for this year's Official Christmas Number 1.
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Ed Sheeran has confirmed that he will be releasing a new Christmas single with Sir Elton John.
Ed revealed the news during an interview with NPO Radio 2 in the Netherlands, explaining that Elton had reached out to Ed last year after he discovered his festive classic Step Into Christmas had entered the Top 10 on the Official UK Singles Chart for the first time.
"Elton rang me on Christmas Day to say Merry Christmas. Elton rings me almost every single day. He said, 'Step Into Christmas is Number 6 in the charts! I want to do another Christmas song - will you do it with me?
"It's just me and him. It's great."
MORE: Every Official Christmas Number 1 ever
However, after first recording the song, Ed admitted: "I didn't feel like it suited me," but ultimately changed his mind.
"You don't know if you'll still be there tomorrow, everything can change overnight," he said. "I may not be here tomorrow. Why shouldn't I grab this opportunity?"
Ed also has plenty of experience landing a festive hit, scoring the Official Christmas Number 1 in 2017 with Perfect, which was boosted to the top thanks to a very festive music video.
News of the collaboration means Ed and Elton are a strong contender for this year's Official Christmas Number 1. This year's chart race kicks off on December 17, with the Number 1 announced on December 24.
This year, Official Charts has joined forces with Nine Eight Books to bring the first-ever official guide to every Christmas Number 1 single in history. The Official Christmas No.1 Singles Book is released on October 28 and is available to pre-order now at Waterstones, Amazon, WHSmith*.
Official Chart followers who pre-order the book through Waterstones by October 27 can claim 20% off using the code: XmasNo1
*This article contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission.
Article image: Mark Allan/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
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D
Devastashun.
Poor old Reg Dwight desperately trying to stay relevant by harassing the 'kids' to be on their songs. Just pack it in Grandad.
NC
Nigel Coleman
Grandad Elton is still very talented?
Sadly the last 15 Years hasn't seen his own records reach the Singles Charts cause his fans want a Physical Copy and not a rubbish download or streaming it?
This has killed off a lot of Rock Indie artists and bands?
Yes Elton and Dua Lipa are doing well with "Cold Heart" at No2, probably cause Dua Lipa fans are streaming it where Elton John fans want a Physical Copy?
See it's got nothing to do with the song now, it's all to do with who's fans stream songs and who's fans don't?
I bet if Ed Sheeran had of written all of Elton's stuff the last 15 Years they would of been hit singles?
Have I touched a nerve Angela, cause I've spoken the truth?
Elton is writing a new album with Bernie next year and Cd Singles are on the rise by 20% that should knock a lot of the out of the charts, they have had it too good for too long?
NC
Nigel Coleman
Grandad Elton has lasted 54 years and his songs have stood the test of time, people of today won't last that long?
D
Devastashun.
Hi Nigel, I haven't a clue what you are taking about but I hope you have a good evening.
NC
Nigel Coleman
I think you do.
At least it's real music
D
Devastashun.
If you say so Nigel. Goodbye now.
JeriTroll 5000 ©
Uuugggh, just go away
N
Nick
Official No 8 total 45 weeks physical, streaming, views, etc Thats it
BleeUK
really that strange Elton John has never been #6 in the UK Charts with Step Into Christmas so that a bit misleading story, also the Christmas charts is not really accurate as it always been the run-up to christmas sales, as it always taking a week before christmas, and has never included the first day of Christmas the 25th December so the accurate christmas source is the weekly at the end of the year to early of the new year
Rob Parkinson
Yeah I agree and it would seem that Mariah is a more build up to Xmas song as it always performs amazingly in the run up to Xmas but Wham must have been played much more over Xmas hence it finally getting to no.1 the week after
BleeUK
Wham Got #1 at Christmas time With Last Christmas as Ladbaby - Don't Stop Me Eatin' was the run up for christmas and before christmas day data. You do realise Christmas charts on Radio 1 and Top Of The Pops is the same countdown and don't take count for christmas Day or week data as it done before the 25th December. so this year the Christmas Week Data is from 31st December 2021 - 6th January 2022 (As that's from Sales and Units from 24th - 30th December 2021) and Media, TV and Radio Branded Christmas charts is not the week's christmas charts, as that take place from 17-23rd December only!!
Rob Parkinson
Yeah I do know I often see your posts Brenton. Hopefully this will get addressed in the future but it has always been this way but prior to streaming it would of made more sense as the records, cd singles etc would have been purchased in the run up to Xmas whereas now it's actually what people are listening to