Calling It Christmas – Elton John feat. Joss Stone

Hear Music / Starbucks Special Edition (2005)

Released in November 2005, Calling It Christmas is an original Christmas song written by Elton John (music) and Bernie Taupin (lyrics), recorded as an exclusive duet with Joss Stone for the compilation Elton John’s Christmas Party. The track closes the album and represents the only newly recorded material contributed by Elton John specifically for this project.

The song was created expressly for this release and does not belong to any of Elton John’s regular studio albums. Its debut took place within the framework of a special retail edition developed through a partnership between Starbucks Hear Music and Universal Music Group, aimed at the North American market.

Conception and release context

Elton John’s Christmas Party was officially released on November 14, 2005, as a Hear Music exclusive, available only at company-operated Starbucks stores in the United States and Canada, as well as through Starbucks’ online store. The album was not initially distributed through conventional music retail channels, making it a controlled, specialty-market release.

The project brings together 21 tracks personally selected by Elton John, combining classic Christmas recordings, songs associated with the seasonal spirit, and one newly written composition created specifically for the album. For every copy sold, US$2 was donated to the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Distribution was handled by Universal Music Special Markets, the division responsible for non-traditional and partnership-based releases. The CD includes liner notes written by Elton John, in which he explains the personal and artistic reasons behind each track selection.

Discographic and technical details

Album title: Elton John’s Christmas Party
Release date: November 14, 2005
Label: Hear Music (Starbucks)
Distribution: Universal Music Special Markets
Catalog number: B0005466-02
Format: CD (Starbucks exclusive edition)
UPC / Barcode: 7 62111 70007 0

Calling It Christmas appears as track 21, closing the compilation.

Song credits – Calling It Christmas

Title: Calling It Christmas
Artists: Elton John & Joss Stone
Music: Elton John
Lyrics: Bernie Taupin
Year: 2005
Recording type: studio, previously unreleased
First release: Elton John’s Christmas Party

Lyrically, the song addresses the Christian origins of Christmas, recounting the journey of the Magi guided by the star to Bethlehem and the symbolic decision to “call this day Christmas” in honor of the birth of Christ. The text emphasizes themes of faith, tradition, spiritual continuity, and the enduring meaning of the season.

Complete track listing
Elton John’s Christmas Party (2005)

1. Step Into Christmas – Elton John

2. Feliz Navidad – El Vez

3. Frosty the Snowman – The Ronettes

4. Santa Claus Is Coming to Town – Bruce Springsteen

5. The Man with All the Toys – The Beach Boys

6. A Change at Christmas (Say It Isn’t So) – The Flaming Lips

7. It Doesn’t Often Snow at Christmas – Pet Shop Boys

8. Spotlight on Christmas – Rufus Wainwright

9. Jingle Bell Rock – The Ventures

10. Run Rudolph Run – Chuck Berry

11. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer – The Crystals

12. Playa’s Ball – Outkast

13. Merry Christmas Baby – Otis Redding

14. Christmas Island – Jimmy Buffett

15. St. Patrick’s Day – John Mayer

16. Please Come Home for Christmas – The Eagles

17. Christmas Must Be Tonight – The Band

18. 2000 Miles – The Pretenders

19. December Will Be Magic Again – Kate Bush

20. New Year’s Day – U2

21. Calling It Christmas – Elton John & Joss Stone

Calling It Christmas occupies a distinctive place in Elton John’s discography, having been written exclusively for a themed compilation and originally distributed outside the traditional music retail system. The collaboration with Joss Stone underscores the special nature of the recording, while its release format and charitable association position the album as a project of cultural, commercial, and philanthropic significance.

https://www.discogs.com/release/817022-Various-Elton-Johns-Christmas-Party

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