More than 50 years since the original release, CMAT and Elton John revisit ‘Step Into Christmas’, a single which has enjoyed a recent revival as a festive anthem and reached number 7 in the UK charts last year.
In praise of the Euro-Country singer, Elton John said, “I’ve loved CMAT since I first heard her and saw her videos years ago. She has this incredible personality and a wicked sense of humour.
“You can tell she has rock and roll and country, and Americana, at the heart of what she does – we’re kindred spirits in so many ways, and that’s why I was so thrilled with the idea of us collaborating on ‘Step Into Christmas’. She’s done an amazing job.”
CMAT was equally laudatory and recalled, “When I listen to the music of Elton John, I am seven years old in the back of my mam’s car. It doesn’t matter how old or famous I become – whenever I listen to Elton John I will always be seven years old in the back of my mam’s car.”
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Eagle-eyed fans may have been privy to the possibility of a duet when CMAT dressed up as the ‘Tiny Dancer’ artist on Halloween. The Instagram post garnered an approving comment from Elton John himself, which simply read: “Rocket Girl”.
From dressing up as her idol, CMAT’s enthusiasm is evident: “Reconciling this feeling with the reality of getting to work with the man in question has been confusing to say the least, but the greatest joy of my life.”
Joy certainly permeates ‘Step Into Christmas’; it’s upbeat, warm, inviting and has all the ingredients to be a Christmas number 1 contender. Its predecessor, the 2025 Amazon Music Original Christmas song ‘XMAS’ by Kylie Minogue, did end up at the top of the UK charts on December 25. Perhaps the same fate awaits the 2026 duet?
The Irish popstar is keen for their festive spirit to reach listeners from all over the globe: “Christmas is my absolute favourite thing in the world, second maybe only to Elton John,” she said. “I would like to invite the whole world to step into Christmas with us and make your yuletide dreams come true.”
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