Mistletoe (Justin Bieber song)
{{short description|2011 single by Justin Bieber}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Mistletoe
| cover = Justin_Bieber - Mistletoe.jpg
| alt =
| border = yes
| type = single
| artist = Justin Bieber
| album = Under the Mistletoe
| released = October 17, 2011
| recorded = 2011
| studio =
| genre =
| length = 3:03
| label =
| writer =
- Nasri Atweh
- Adam Messinger
- Justin Bieber
| producer = The Messengers
| prev_title = Next to You
| prev_year = 2011
| next_title = All I Want for Christmas Is You (SuperFestive!)
| next_year = 2011
| misc = {{External music video|1={{YouTube|LUjn3RpkcKY|"Mistletoe"}}}}
}}
"Mistletoe" is a Christmas song by Canadian singer Justin Bieber. The song was written by Bieber and his producers, Nasri Atweh and Adam Messinger. The song was released on October 17, 2011, as the lead single from his second studio album and first Christmas album, Under the Mistletoe (2011). "Mistletoe" is a pop and R&B song, that has reggae influences. "Mistletoe" received generally positive reviews from most music critics. The song reached the top ten in Canada, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, and Norway, and slightly missed the top 10 in the US, peaking at 11, while also reaching the top forty in nine other countries. It set the record for the highest debut for a Christmas song in Billboard Hot 100 history.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2011-11-05/|title=Justin Bieber's Mistletoe records the highest debut for a christmas song in the Hot 100 history.|magazine=Billboard | access-date=2021-12-22}} The song's accompanying music video was directed by Roman White. It features the singer singing on a snowy, lit-up street.
Background and composition
Bieber first premiered the song live on the My World Tour on October 6, 2011, at Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1672082/justin-bieber-under-the-mistletoe-rio.jhtml|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130104025810/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1672082/justin-bieber-under-the-mistletoe-rio.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 4, 2013|title=Justin Bieber Previews 'Mistletoe' On Tour|work=MTV News|publisher=MTV Networks (Viacom)|access-date=2011-10-25|first=Jocelyn|last=Vena|date=2011-10-06}} During the performance, Bieber confirmed that the song would be released on iTunes worldwide on October 17, 2011. In an interview with MTV News, Bieber said, "I'm really excited. [The song is] really catchy. I know all my fans are going to love it. It's something that I feel like they're going to be singing every Christmas."
"Mistletoe" was written and produced by Nasri, and Adam Messinger.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/review/1067577/track-review-justin-bieber-mistletoe |title=Track Review: Justin Bieber, 'Mistletoe' |magazine=Billboard.com |date=2009-09-14 |access-date=2011-10-30}}{{cite web |url=http://universalmusic.ca/justin-bieber-christmas-album/ |title=JUSTIN BIEBER'S "UNDER THE MISTLETOE", HIS FIRST CHRISTMAS ALBUM, SET FOR NOV 1 RELEASE | Universal Music Canada |publisher=Universalmusic.ca |date=2011-10-05 |access-date=2011-10-30 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120527060057/http://universalmusic.ca/justin-bieber-christmas-album/ |archive-date=2012-05-27 |url-status=dead }} It is a Christmas song that is sonically derived from the pop and R&B genres, while making use of reggae elements. and soulful, acoustic R&B.{{Cite magazine |author=Billboard Staff |date=2011-10-24 |title=Track Review: Justin Bieber, 'Mistletoe' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/track-review-justin-bieber-mistletoe-1067577/ |access-date=2022-05-17 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}} According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by Sony/ATV Music Publishing, "Mistletoe" is set in common time with a "bounce" tempo of 80 beats per minute. It is composed in the key of A major{{Cite web|last1=Justin|first1=Bieber|last2=Nasri|first2=Atweh|last3=Adam|first3=Messinger|last4=Justin|first4=Bieber|date=2011-10-25|title=Mistletoe|url=https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0097700|access-date=2021-04-09|website=Musicnotes.com}} with Bieber's vocal range spanning from the low-note of E3 to the high-note of E5.{{cite web |first1=Adam |last1=Messinger |author-link1=Adam Messinger |first2=Nasri |last2=Atweh|author-link2=Nasri (singer/songwriter) |first3=Justin|last3=Bieber|author-link3=Justin Bieber|title=Justin Bieber – Mistletoe Sheet Music|publisher=Musicnotes.com. Universal Music Publishing Group |format=sheet music |year=2011|url=http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtdFPE.asp?ppn=mn0097700 |access-date=2011-10-30}} According to many reviewers, the song's production and Bieber's delivery bears much similarity to Jason Mraz's "I'm Yours." Bill Lamb of About.com went as far as to call the song "'I'm Yours' goes Christmas." A Rolling Stone writer commented that "The song basically sounds like a laid-back Jack Johnson number with a bit of overdubbed sleigh bells." The song presents the maturation of Bieber's voice, with RJ Cubarrubia of Billboard writing that he sounded "smooth and intimate." Lamb said "This track marks a distinct move toward a more adult sound on the part of 17 year old Justin Bieber." The song, which includes subtle "Christmas flourishes" in the background arrangement, opens up with jingle bells before an instrumental of guitar and bongos come in.
Reception
=Critical response=
RJ Cubarrubia of Billboard first complimented the song, saying that "the stripped-down sound allows the young superstar to showcase how much he and his voice have grown," and that the chorus sounds "warm and fuzzy."{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/review/1067577/track-review-justin-bieber-mistletoe|title=Track Review: Justin Bieber, 'Mistletoe'|access-date=2011-10-25|date=2011-10-24|first=RJ|last=Cubarrubia|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometehus Global Media}} However he said "Bieber's breezy crooning and flat lyrics make 'Mistletoe' come off like an uninspiring, Jason Mraz-esque holiday track." Cubarrubia commended Bieber for attempting to inject his charisma in such a track, but said "he's still far from the classic Christmas pop of Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You"." Although he said the song may feel a bit calculated, Bill Lamb of About.com complimented the song's "acoustic Jason Mraz vibe, the subtle seasonal touches, and adult sound. Lamb predicted the song to be a likely seasonal hit for Bieber and commented, "The subtle wintry holiday chimes in the backing track make it obvious this is a seasonal release, but it will not be jarring when included on a standard pop playlist."{{cite web|url=http://top40.about.com/od/justinbieber/gr/Justin-Bieber-Mistletoe.htm|title=Justin Bieber - "Mistletoe"|work=About.com|publisher=The New York Times Company|first=Bill|last=Lamb|access-date=2011-10-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111202140515/http://top40.about.com/od/justinbieber/gr/Justin-Bieber-Mistletoe.htm|archive-date=2011-12-02|url-status=dead}} Jarett Wieselman of The Insider.com said the song "is pretty damn good" and went on to say "it's gonna be the biggest song of 2011."{{cite web|url=http://www.theinsider.com/tunes/45231_Justin_Bieber_s_Mistletoe_First_Listen/index.html|title=First Listen: Justin Bieber's 'Mistletoe'|work=The Insider.com|access-date=2011-10-30|date=2011-10-17|publisher=Buzzmedia Publishers|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111019214700/http://www.theinsider.com/tunes/45231_Justin_Bieber_s_Mistletoe_First_Listen/index.html|archive-date=2011-10-19|url-status=dead}} Wieselman said "You can't deny the appeal of America's tween dream du jour dropping a track where he asks the listeners to 'kiss me underneath the mistletoe.' Well played young man, well played."
In 2021, Rolling Stone placed "Mistletoe" at number 17 on its list of the worst Christmas songs of all time.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/the-20-worst-christmas-songs-of-all-time-1261578/|title=The 20 Worst Christmas Songs of All Time|date=December 17, 2021|magazine=Rolling Stone|first=Angie|last=Martoccio|access-date=December 19, 2021}} In 2023, The A.V. Club placed the song at number 14 on its own list of the worst Christmas songs of all time.{{cite web |last1=Erlewine |first1=Stephen Thomas |title=The 30 worst Christmas songs of all time, ranked |url=https://www.avclub.com/the-30-worst-christmas-songs-of-all-time-ranked-1851078263 |website=The A.V. Club |access-date=December 8, 2023}}
=Commercial performance=
"Mistletoe" sold 164,000 copies in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan, placing it at No. 5 on Billboard's Hot Digital Songs chart.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/record-labels/adele-s-21-hits-13th-week-at-no-1-on-billboard-1005436282.story |title=Adele's '21' Hits 13th Week At No. 1 On Billboard 200; Casting Crowns Bow At No. 2 |magazine=Billboard |date=2011-10-26 |access-date=2011-10-30}}
As of January 1, 2012, Nielsen SoundScan estimated total sales of the digital track at 722,000 downloads, which is the most a Christmas/holiday digital song has ever sold in a calendar year.{{cite web|url=http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart-watch/chart-watch-extra-top-25-hits-200054457.html |title=Chart Watch Extra: The Year's Top 30 Hits |last=Grein |first=Paul |work=Yahoo! Music |publisher=Nielsen Business Media |date=2011-12-14|access-date=2012-01-06}} As of November 25, 2016, "Mistletoe" is fourth on the list of all-time best-selling Christmas/holiday digital singles in SoundScan history, with total sales of 1,100,000 downloads.{{cite magazine|author= Billboard Staff|date= November 25, 2016 |title= What Are the Top-Selling Holiday Songs? |url= http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7588783/what-are-the-top-selling-christmas-music-holiday-songs |magazine= Billboard |access-date= December 2, 2016}}
Music video and live performances
The music video for "Mistletoe" was directed by Roman White.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1672339/justin-bieber-mistletoe-teaser.jhtml|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130104033331/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1672339/justin-bieber-mistletoe-teaser.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 4, 2013|title=Justin Bieber Gets Romantic In 'Mistletoe' Teaser|first=Jocelyn|last=Vena|access-date=2011-10-25|date=2011-10-11|work=MTV News|publisher=MTV Networks (Viacom)}} The video marked the second time Bieber had worked with White on a music video, the first being "One Less Lonely Girl" (2009). It was also shot in Franklin, Tennessee, where the previous video was filmed.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1672462/justin-bieber-mistletoe-preview-video.jhtml|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120526002849/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1672462/justin-bieber-mistletoe-preview-video.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 26, 2012|title=Justin Bieber Brings 'Mistletoe' Video To MTV Tuesday!|work=MTV News|first=James|last=Montgomery|access-date=2011-10-25|date=2011-10-13|publisher=MTV Networks (Viacom)}} On recruiting White to shoot the video, Bieber explained, "Roman can tell a story really well, so we wanted to use him," Bieber explained. "He shot the 'One Less Lonely Girl' video, and I thought he did a great job; he shot the 'You Belong With Me' video with Taylor Swift, and he had a lot of great experience and a lot of great work." A teaser of the video was released on October 11, 2011. The video itself premiered on October 18, 2011. A Rolling Stone reviewer said "the clip is cheesy holiday joy, with the singer courting a cute chick in some idyllic small town decked out with tasteful white lights and a very light dusting of snow."{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/videos/new-and-hot/justin-bieber-mistletoe-20111019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020111044/http://www.rollingstone.com/videos/new-and-hot/justin-bieber-mistletoe-20111019|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 20, 2011|title=Video:'Mistletoe'|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=2011-10-30}}
"Mistletoe" was performed for the first time on October 5, 2011, during a concert in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1672082/justin-bieber-under-the-mistletoe-rio.jhtml|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130104025810/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1672082/justin-bieber-under-the-mistletoe-rio.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 4, 2013|title=Justin Bieber Previews 'Mistletoe' On Tour - Music, Celebrity, Artist News | MTV|publisher=MTV|date=2011-10-06|access-date=2012-01-11}} It was also performed at the 2011 MTV Europe Music Awards on November 6, 2011.{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/bieber-gaga-dominate-mtv-europe-music-awards-20111107-1n2sm.html|title=2011 MTV Europe Music Awards | Pictures | Photos | Red Carpet|newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald|date=2011-11-07|access-date=2012-01-11}} Bieber performed the song on November 20, 2011, at the 2011 American Music Awards,{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com.au/music/news/a351928/justin-bieber-performs-mistletoe-at-2011-american-music-awards.html|title=Digital Spy|date=2011-11-21|access-date=2012-01-11}} and on November 10, 2011, at the Bambi Awards{{cite news|title=Justin Bieber Performs & Wins at the Bambi Awards In Germany!|url=http://hollywoodlife.com/2011/11/10/justin-bieber-bambi-awards-performance-video/|access-date=December 17, 2015|publisher=Hollywood Life|date=November 10, 2011|archive-date=December 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222103917/http://hollywoodlife.com/2011/11/10/justin-bieber-bambi-awards-performance-video/|url-status=dead}} and on German X Factor.{{cite news|title=Justin Bieber to perform on this weekend's X Factor|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/justin-bieber-to-perform-on-this-weekends-x-279547|access-date=December 17, 2015|publisher=The Mirror|date=November 29, 2011}} He performed "Mistletoe" on the semi-final on UK The X Factor.{{cite web|url=http://amp.cbslocal.com/2011/12/05/justin-bieber-kelly-rowland-are-down-for-whatever-under-the-mistletoe-on-x-factor-uk/|title=Justin Bieber & Kelly Rowland Are "Down For Whatever" Under The "Mistletoe" On 'X Factor' UK|publisher=97.1 AMP RADIO|access-date=13 January 2016|archive-date=9 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709035216/http://amp.cbslocal.com/2011/12/05/justin-bieber-kelly-rowland-are-down-for-whatever-under-the-mistletoe-on-x-factor-uk/|url-status=dead}} He additionally performed the song on the UK ITV Christmas special This is Justin Bieber which aired on December 10, 2011, with featured guest Tinie Tempah.{{cite web|url=http://www.capitalfm.com/artists/tinie-tempah/news/justin-bieber-perform-christmas-duet/|title=Tinie Tempah And Justin Bieber Perform Christmas Duet|date=14 November 2011|work=Capital FM|access-date=13 January 2016}}
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col 2}}
=Weekly charts=
{{col 2}}
=Year-end charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" border="1" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2011)
! scope="col"| Rank |
|---|
| scope="row"| Denmark Streaming (Tracklisten){{cite web|url=http://www.hitlisterne.dk/yearlist2011.asp?list=Stream%2050|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120917120844/http://www.hitlisterne.dk/yearlist2011.asp?list=Stream%2050|archive-date=September 17, 2012|title=Streaming Top-50 2011|language=da|website=Hitlisterne.dk|access-date=September 2, 2018}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 40 |
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" border="1" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2023)
! scope="col"| Rank |
|---|
| scope="row"|Hungary (Single Top 40){{cite web|url=https://slagerlistak.hu/archivum/eves-osszesitett-slagerlistak/single_db/2023|title=Single Top 100 - digitális és fizikai értékesítés alapján - 2023|publisher=MAHASZ|access-date=January 31, 2024|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240131131809/https://slagerlistak.hu/archivum/eves-osszesitett-slagerlistak/single_db/2023|archive-date=January 31, 2024|language=hu}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 71 |
= All-time charts =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ All-time chart performance for "Mistletoe" !| Chart ! scope="col" | Position |
| scope="row"|US Holiday 100 (Billboard){{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/greatest-of-all-time-holiday-100-songs/|title=Greatest of All Time Holiday 100 Songs|magazine=Billboard|access-date=November 18, 2021|archive-date=December 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228184050/https://www.billboard.com/charts/greatest-of-all-time-holiday-100-songs/|url-status=live}}
|17 |
|---|
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=2011|certyear=2023|access-date=May 15, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|artist=Justin Bieber|title=Mistletoe|type=single|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2011|certyear=2024|access-date=July 1, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|artist=Justin Bieber|title=Mistletoe|type=single|award=Platinum|number=6|relyear=2011|certyear=2023|access-date=March 7, 2025}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|artist=Justin Bieber|title=Mistletoe|type=single|award=Platinum|number=4|relyear=2011|certyear=2024|id=14802|access-date=January 11, 2025}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|artist=Justin Bieber|title=Mistletoe|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=2011|certyear=2022|access-date=December 9, 2022}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|artist=Justin Bieber|title=Mistletoe|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=2011|certyear=2024|id=13829|access-date=January 1, 2025}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Justin Bieber|title=Mistletoe|type=single|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2011|source=radioscope|access-date=January 8, 2025|certyear=2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Norway|artist=Justin Bieber|title=Mistletoe|type=single|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2011|certyear=2020|access-date=November 20, 2020}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Portugal|artist=Justin Bieber|title=Mistletoe|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2016|certyear=2021|id=file_2022-01-06-12-27-03.pdf|access-date=January 6, 2022}}
{{certification Table Entry|type=single|region=South Korea|nocert=true|salesamount=462,029|salesref={{cite web |url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?serviceGbn=S1020&termGbn=year&hitYear=2011&targetTime=11&nationGbn=E |title=Gaon – 2011 Year-end International Download Chart |website=Gaon Chart |publisher=Korea Music Content Industry Association |access-date=August 28, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204085548/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?serviceGbn=S1020&termGbn=year&hitYear=2011&targetTime=11&nationGbn=E |archive-date=4 February 2015 |url-status=live }}}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|artist=Justin Bieber|title=Mistletoe|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2011|certyear=2021|access-date=January 4, 2022|id=justin-bieber-mistletoe}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Justin Bieber|title=Mistletoe|award=Platinum|number=2|type=single|relyear=2011|certyear=2023|id=14384-2321-1|access-date=November 24, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Justin Bieber|title=Mistletoe|type=single|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=2011|certyear=2021|access-date=January 12, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Separator|title=Streaming}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|artist=Justin Bieber|title=Mistletoe|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2011|certyear=2012|certmonth=01|certday=16|id=7010|streamsonly=true|refname=DNKstreaming|access-date=April 21, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Greece|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2011|certyear=2023|certweek=50|id=20231220211943|access-date=December 20, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true|streamsonly=true}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Justin Bieber singles}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Island Records singles
Category:Music videos directed by Roman White