Introduction
2020 single by Carly Rae Jepsen"It's Not Christmas Till Somebody Cries"Single by Carly Rae JepsenReleasedOctober 30, 2020 (2020-10-30)GenreSynth-popLength2:52Label 604 School Boy Interscope SongwritersBenjamin RomansCJ BaranCarly Rae JepsenJames FlanniganProducersBenjamin RomansCJ BaranCarly Rae Jepsen singles chronology
"OK on Your Own" (2020)
"It's Not Christmas Till Somebody Cries" (2020)
"Western Wind" (2022) Music video"It's Not Christmas Till Somebody Cries" on YouTube
"It's Not Christmas Till Somebody Cries" is a Christmas song by Canadian singer Carly Rae Jepsen, released on October 30, 2020. The song is about "expectation versus reality" when it comes to holiday celebrations and "the antics of a dyfunctional family holiday gathering".
Personnel
[edit] Credits adapted from Tidal.
Carly Rae Jepsen – songwriting, lead vocals Benjamin Romans – songwriting, production, background vocals, programming, synthesizer CJ Baran – songwriting, production, background vocals, programming James Flannigan – songwriting Gene Grimaldi – mastering engineer Mitch McCarthy – mixing
Charts
[edit]
Chart performance for "It's Not Christmas Till Somebody Cries"
Chart (2020)
Peakposition
US Holiday Digital Song Sales (Billboard)
11
Why Jepsen’s Track Cuts Through the Tinsel
Carly Rae Jepsen’s holiday single lands smack‑in the middle of the festive noise, but it does so by spotlighting the messier side of Christmas rather than the glossy card‑shop version. In a sea of relentlessly cheery carols, a song that acknowledges the inevitable family frictions feels oddly refreshing. Listeners gravitate toward it because it validates the awkward moments – the over‑cooked turkey, the over‑talked‑about gifts – while still wrapping those feelings in bright synth‑pop production. It’s a reminder that a good Christmas soundtrack doesn’t have to be sugar‑coated; it can be as honest as the cracked egg on the kitchen floor.
Playing It Right: When to Queue This One
If you’re curating a playlist that moves from sparkling nostalgia to something a touch more grounded, slip Jepsen’s track in after the traditional favourites. Its brisk two‑minute length makes it perfect for a quick pause between the classic choir renditions and the more upbeat pop numbers. Pair it with a cosy blanket and a steaming mug, but avoid the moment when you’re cutting the turkey – the lyrical sighs might clash with the clatter of kitchen chaos. In a party setting, let it run as background while guests mingle; the relatable lyrics often spark chuckles and light‑hearted confessions about past holiday mishaps.
What Listeners Miss: The Subtle Production Trick
Beyond the catchy chorus, the song’s arrangement hides a clever sonic cue: a faint, reverb‑drenched bell that rings just as the bridge peaks. This fleeting jingle mimics the sound of a distant sleigh, subtly pulling the track back into the festive realm even as the lyrics dig into family dysfunction. It’s a production choice that keeps the song from feeling outright cynical, ensuring it stays on the holiday playlist rather than being relegated to a ‘sad‑song’ shelf. Spotting that detail on repeat listens adds a layer of appreciation for Jepsen’s knack for balancing pop polish with real‑life honesty.