Christmas Saves the Year
{{short description|Twenty One Pilots song}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Christmas Saves the Year
| cover = Twenty One Pilots Christmas Saves The Year Art.jpeg
| alt = Single art for the song.
| type = single
| artist = Twenty One Pilots
| album =
| released = {{start date|2020|12|08}}
| recorded = 2020
| studio =
| genre = {{flatlist |
}}
| length = 3:32
| label = Fueled by Ramen
| writer = Tyler Joseph
| producer =
- Tyler Joseph
| prev_title = Level of Concern
| prev_year = 2020
| next_title = Shy Away
| next_year = 2021
| misc =
{{External music video|{{YouTube|ByK84WFMaJw|"Christmas Saves the Year"}}}}
}}
"Christmas Saves the Year" is a Christmas single by American musical duo Twenty One Pilots, released on December 8, 2020, through Fueled by Ramen. Written and recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic, the song expresses the idea that even in a turbulent year, optimism can still be found in Christmas.
Background
"Christmas Saves the Year" was written, composed and recorded in lead singer Tyler Joseph's home studio.{{Cite tweet |user=twentyonepilots |number=1336497936658731010 |date=December 9, 2020 |title=an original twenty one pilots christmas song written and recorded in tyler's home studio. from us to you, merry christmas}} Twenty One Pilots debuted the track at the end of a Twitch stream in which Joseph played in the Chipotle Challenger Fortnite series tournament to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation,{{Cite web |last=Rose |first=Anna |date=December 9, 2020 |title=Twenty One Pilots release holiday single, 'Christmas Saves The Year' |url=https://www.nme.com/en_asia/news/music/twenty-one-pilots-release-holiday-single-christmas-saves-the-year-2834864 |access-date=December 9, 2020 |website=NME}}{{Cite web|last=Campbell|first=Rachel|date=December 9, 2020|title=Hear twenty one pilots' surprise holiday song "Christmas Saves The Year"|url=https://www.altpress.com/news/twenty-one-pilots-christmas-saves-the-year-song/|access-date=December 9, 2020|website=Alternative Press}}{{Cite web |last=Patterson |first=Calum |date=December 4, 2020 |title=Chipotle Challenger Series 2020: Everything You Need to Know |url=https://www.dexerto.com/sponsored/chipotle-challenger-series-2020-everything-you-need-to-know-1286259/ |access-date=December 9, 2020 |website=Dexerto}} after having teased "a gift" for the viewers of the stream.{{Cite web|last=Dowd|first=Rachael|date=December 8, 2020|title=See why fans think new music from twenty one pilots is arriving soon|url=https://www.altpress.com/news/twenty-one-pilots-new-music-fan-theories/|access-date=December 9, 2020|website=Alternative Press}}
Originally reluctant to write a Christmas song, Joseph was inspired as he was "experiencing Christmas through a little girl's perspective", in reference to his eldest daughter, Rosie. The sound of the track was inspired by a musical instrument called the Mellotron.{{Cite web |title=Tyler Joseph Interview with Zane Lowe - CSTY (12.9.20) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alJ7K-_EP38&t=624s |access-date=December 28, 2020 |website=YouTube}}
Composition
Music video
Following the end of frontman Tyler Joseph's Twitch stream, the song and its visualizer video were released and made available on music-streaming services, and a premiere for the video was placed onto YouTube. The video was directed and animated by Johnny Chew.{{Cite web |last=Brayden |first=Kate |date=December 10, 2020 |title=Twenty One Pilots share festive new single 'Christmas Saves The Year' |url=https://www.hotpress.com/music/twenty-one-pilots-share-festive-new-single-christmas-saves-the-year-22835758 |access-date=December 13, 2020 |website=Hotpress}}{{Cite web |date=December 9, 2020 |title=Twenty One Pilots Release Holiday Single |url=https://vermilioncountyfirst.com/2020/12/09/twenty-one-pilots-release-holiday-single/ |access-date=December 13, 2020 |website=Vermilion County First}} An official music video for the song was released on December 8, 2021, one year after the song was released, and heavily utilizes claymation. It was directed and animated by Mr. Oz.{{Cite web |title=Twenty One Pilots - Christmas Saves The Year (Official Video) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByK84WFMaJw |access-date=2021-12-08 |website=YouTube}}
Joseph's wife Jenna posted an unofficial music video to her Instagram account on January 15, 2021, showcasing Rosie in the family home.{{Cite Instagram |user=jennaajoseph |postid=CKFYoyNgH9h |title=Rosie Ro’s 10th month of life was basically dancing to her daddy's Christmas song & the sniffles. the winter sickies can't even steal Ro's sunshine. She is rocking my moms jumper from the 50’s my grandma handmade. |date=January 15, 2021 |access-date=July 7, 2024}}
Charts
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+Chart performance for "Christmas Saves the Year" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2020–2021)
! scope="col"| Peak |
|---|
| {{single chart|Billboardcanadahotac|44|artist=Twenty One Pilots|rowheader=true|access-date=August 3, 2024}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardcanadarock|44|artist=Twenty One Pilots|rowheader=true|access-date=August 3, 2024}} |
| scope="row"| US Holiday Digital Song Sales (Billboard){{cite magazine |title=Twenty One Pilots Chart History (Holiday Digital Song Sales) |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/twenty-one-pilots/chart-history/xdt/ |access-date=January 28, 2020 |magazine=Billboard }}
|34 |
| {{single chart|Billboardrocksongs|35|artist=Twenty One Pilots|rowheader=true|access-date=April 13, 2021}} |
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Twenty One Pilots}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Songs written by Tyler Joseph
Category:Twenty One Pilots songs
Category:American Christmas songs