Legendary musician Elton John has officially recruited the acclaimed singer-songwriter CMAT for a vibrant new version of his festive staple, Step Into Christmas. This exclusive collaboration, released via Amazon Music, breathes fresh life into the 1973 classic that has remained a cornerstone of the holiday season for over five decades.
The partnership stems from a deep mutual respect between the two artists. Elton John, a long-time admirer of the Irish artist’s work, expressed his enthusiasm for the project and CMAT’s unique musical identity. “I’ve loved CMAT since I first heard her and saw her videos years ago,” John remarked. “She has this incredible personality, and a wicked sense of humour. You can tell she has Rock n 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.”
For CMAT, the opportunity to work with one of her primary musical influences was a surreal experience. She described the collaboration as a career highlight, noting the profound impact John’s music has had on her life since childhood. “When I listen to the music of Elton John, I am seven years old in the back of my mam’s car,” she shared. “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. 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.”
The singer also highlighted her personal connection to the holiday season, inviting fans to embrace the festive spirit through this new rendition. “Christmas is my absolute favourite thing in the world, second maybe only to Elton John. I would like to invite the whole world to step into Christmas with us and make your yuletide dreams come true. (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧!”