Holiday Seasoning is the third studio album by American entertainer Jimmy Fallon, released on November 1, 2024, by Republic Records. The track listing of the holiday album consists of 16 original tracks, including one New Year's Eve song, and features collaborations with the Jonas Brothers, Meghan Trainor, the Roots, Justin Timberlake, Ariana Grande, Megan Thee Stallion, "Weird Al" Yankovic, Will Ferrell, Chelsea Handler, Cara Delevingne, and Dolly Parton.[1]
| Holiday Seasoning | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | November 1, 2024 | |||
| Recorded | 2021–2024 | |||
| Studio |
| |||
| Length | 38:51 | |||
| Label | Republic | |||
| Producer |
| |||
| Jimmy Fallon chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Holiday Seasoning | ||||
| ||||
Background and composition
editProduction on Holiday Seasoning started in 2021, after a suggestion from Michele Anthony of Universal Music Group prompted Fallon to record a holiday song.[1] "Chipmunks & Chestnuts", which draws influences from Roy Orbison, Slim Whitman, and Monty Python, was the first song written for the project.[2][3] In December 2021, "It Was a... (Masked Christmas)" with Ariana Grande and Megan Thee Stallion was the first single released from the album. The song started out as an idea in August 2021 when Fallon was recording at Electric Lady Studios; his intention behind the track was to cheer people up during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, he approached Grande to sing the hook but didn't hear back until October; she then got in touch with Megan Thee Stallion to record the rap.[4]
"Almost Too Early for Christmas" with Dolly Parton was released in November 2022, accompanied by a lyric video featuring cartoon versions of the two performers; the song refers to the phenomenon of the Christmas creep.[5][6] The two performed the song on Parton's holiday special, Dolly Parton's Mountain Magic Christmas, which aired on December 1, 2022.[6] "Wrap Me Up" with Meghan Trainor was released in November 2023; the two promoted the single with a performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and a music video released the following month.[7] In September 2024, Justin Timberlake teased his duet with Fallon, "You'll Be There", on an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.[2]
"New Year's Eve Polka (5-4-3-2-1)", a polka song with "Weird Al" Yankovic and the Roots, was conceived after Fallon lamented the lack of cheerful songs for New Year's Eve.[2] "Coquito" was written as a tribute to the namesake Puerto Rican alcoholic Christmas cocktail.[2] "Hallmark Movie" with Cara Delevingne is a song that starts out like a romantic movie similar to those aired on the Hallmark Channel, but then turns into a dramatic Lifetime movie.[2] Fallon recorded covers of "Silent Night" and "The Little Drummer Boy" for the album during a blizzard in 2023; however, they do not appear on the standard track listing.[3]
Promotion and release
editThe album was announced on October 10, 2024, and released on CD, vinyl, and digital formats on November 1, 2024.[8] Album-related merchandise was also released, including a Christmas sweater, a Christmas stocking, and oven mitts.[2] In addition, a gift box of holiday seasonings was launched, which includes a hot chocolate blend created in collaboration with Fallon and his two daughters.[9] A limited-time channel, Holiday Seasoning Radio, was launched on Sirius XM featuring holiday songs selected by Fallon as well as a behind-the-scenes look into the making of the album.[10] On October 29, 2024, Fallon appeared on The Howard Stern Show to discuss the album; he also performed "Chipmunks & Chestnuts" on air.[11] Jimmy Fallon's Holiday Seasoning Spectacular, an accompanying holiday special, is scheduled to air on December 4, 2024, featuring a number of guests from the album.[2] In an interview on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Fallon revealed plans to digitally release a deluxe edition of the album featuring six or seven additional songs.[12]
Reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [13] |
In a three-star review, Marcy Donelson of AllMusic praised the affectionate "Holiday" and "Almost Too Early for Christmas", but doubted some of the songs would fit in with other holiday music, noting they could be used as background music.[13] Maria Sherman of the Associated Press included Holiday Seasoning on a list of 2024's best holiday albums.[14]
In the U.S., Holiday Seasoning debuted atop Billboard's Comedy Albums chart and at number 2 on the Top Holiday Albums chart, with almost 13,000 album-equivalent units in its first week, according to Luminate, becoming Fallon's second number-one on the former. In addition, the album debuted at number 3 on the Top Album Sales chart and number 9 on the Vinyl Albums chart, with nearly 12,000 copies sold.[15]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Christmas Ding Dong" |
|
| 1:16 |
| 2. | "Holiday" (with Jonas Brothers) | Ido Zmishlany | 3:03 | |
| 3. | "Hey Rudy" (with the Roots) |
|
| 2:40 |
| 4. | "Wrap Me Up" (with Meghan Trainor) |
| Stone | 2:28 |
| 5. | "You'll Be There" (with Justin Timberlake) |
| Zmishlany | 3:21 |
| 6. | "It Was a... (Masked Christmas)" (with Ariana Grande and Megan Thee Stallion) |
| Zmishlany | 3:00 |
| 7. | "How You Know It's Christmastime" |
|
| 2:15 |
| 8. | "New Year's Eve Polka (5-4-3-2-1)" (with "Weird Al" Yankovic and the Roots) |
|
| 1:42 |
| 9. | "Chipmunks & Chestnuts" |
|
| 2:30 |
| 10. | "One Glove" (with Will Ferrell) |
|
| 2:35 |
| 11. | "Merry Happy Christmas" (with Chelsea Handler) |
|
| 2:32 |
| 12. | "Coquito" |
|
| 1:17 |
| 13. | "Hallmark Movie" (with Cara Delevingne) |
|
| 1:42 |
| 14. | "Weird Cousin" |
|
| 2:09 |
| 15. | "Thanksgiving Eve" |
|
| 3:13 |
| 16. | "Almost Too Early for Christmas" (with Dolly Parton) |
| Zmishlany | 3:03 |
Charts
edit| Chart (2024) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200[16] | 84 |
| US Top Comedy Albums (Billboard)[17] | 1 |
| US Top Holiday Albums (Billboard)[18] | 2 |
References
edit- ^ a b Miller, Liz Shannon (November 1, 2024). "6 Holiday Music Albums Jimmy Fallon Thinks Everyone Should Own". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g Rudolph, Christopher (October 24, 2024). "Jimmy Fallon Just Shared Exciting News About His Holiday Seasoning Album". NBC. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
- ^ a b Mitchell, Matt (November 1, 2024). "Jimmy Fallon on His First Comedy Album in 12 Years". Paste. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
- ^ Gamboa, Glenn (December 7, 2024). "Fallon teams with Grande, Megan Thee Stallion for holidays". Associated Press. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
- ^ Manno, Jackie (November 10, 2022). "Dolly Parton and Jimmy Fallon's Christmas Song Is as Amazing as You Think". NBC. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
- ^ a b Avila, Daniela (November 23, 2022). "Dolly Parton and Jimmy Fallon Perform 'Almost Too Early for Christmas' in a Diner — Watch!". People. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
- ^ Manno, Jackie; Vincenty, Samantha (December 14, 2023). "Jimmy Fallon & Meghan Trainor's Official "Wrap Me Up" Video Is Holiday Eye Candy". NBC. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
- ^ Aniftos, Rania (October 10, 2024). "Jimmy Fallon Announces Festive 'Holiday Seasoning' Album". Billboard. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
- ^ "Jimmy Fallon's Holiday Seasoning Collection". The Spice House. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
- ^ "Listen to Jimmy Fallon's All-New Holiday Channel, Including His '12 Days of Christmas'". Sirius XM. November 1, 2024. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
- ^ "VIDEO: 'Tonight Show' Host Jimmy Fallon Returns to the Stern Show". The Howard Stern Show. October 29, 2024. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
- ^ Inman, Jessica (October 14, 2024). "Justin Timberlake, Jimmy Fallon collaborate for song on Fallon's holiday album". United Press International. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
- ^ a b Donelson, Marcy. "Holiday Seasoning - Jimmy Fallon". AllMusic. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
- ^ Sherman, Maria (November 21, 2024). "'Tis the season for holiday albums, from Jennifer Hudson to Toby Keith and Jimmy Fallon". Associated Press. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
- ^ Caulfield, Keith (November 11, 2024). "Jimmy Fallon Jingles Onto Billboard Charts With Festive New 'Holiday Seasoning' Album". Billboard. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
- ^ "Jimmy Fallon Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
- ^ "Jimmy Fallon Chart History (Top Comedy Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
- ^ "Jimmy Fallon Chart History (Holiday Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 22, 2024.