"Fall in Love at Christmas" is a holiday song by American singers Mariah Carey, Khalid, and Kirk Franklin. It was released on November 5, 2021, and was written by the artists and Daniel Moore II, who produced it with Carey and Franklin.[1] The song was featured on Carey's second Christmas special for Apple TV+, titled Mariah's Christmas: The Magic Continues, which was released worldwide on December 3, 2021.[2]
Background and release
On October 31, 2021, Carey shared via social media a clip teasing the release of a song.[3] On November 1, Carey officially announced the song, which was scheduled for release on November 5, through a 30-second preview, revealing the song to be a romantic R&B-tinged ballad, with Carey and Khalid singing together in the chorus and a gospel inspired choir led by Kirk Franklin.[4] The official artwork includes photos of the three artists as children against Christmas wrapping paper.[4]
The song was performed on Carey's second Christmas special for Apple TV+, titled Mariah's Christmas: The Magic Continues, which was released worldwide on December 3, 2021.[5]
Critical reception
Upon release, the song received generally positive reviews. Vulture writer Rebecca Alter called the song an "extremely smooth duet with Khalid" praising their harmonizing.[6] She went on to praise Franklin as a choirmaster noting that he "brings the gospel choir in and kicks things up a notch".[6]The New York Post writer Brooke Kato also noted that "the new holiday tune was met with support and joy online as listeners flocked to listen right as the clock struck midnight".[7]
NPR writer Lars Gotrich also gave the song high praise stating that the song "is a carol for grown folks several seasons into their love and the kind of sumptuous torch song that Carey hasn't sung in a minute".[8] Gotrich also praised Khalid's vocals stating that "the 23-year-old R&B singer knows no one can outdo Carey, so his harmonies add just the right amount of tinsel".[8]Metro writer Emma Kelly praised Carey's vocal but gave mixed reviews to the Christmas element of the song noting that the song is "just a well-crafted R’n’B slow jam with Christmas keywords shoehorned in".[9] She went on to say that, "Mariah sounds as incredible as ever, with her trademark whistle tone still sending chills down our spines when she whips it out towards the song's crescendo, and Khalid's soulful tone compliments her perfectly".[9]
Music video
A music video for the song was filmed at Carey's house and released on her Vevo channel on November 5.[7] Throughout the video, Carey "spreads the cheer with Khalid and gospel great Kirk Franklin in the clip that finds the three hanging in their PJs in Mariah's living room as they croon over the track's finger-picked guitars and subtly chiming sleigh bells".[10] The video was directed by Carey and her boyfriend Bryan Tanaka.[11]
