Snowman (Sia song)

"Snowman"
Slowed Down & Snowed In remix artwork
Single by Sia
from the album Everyday Is Christmas
Released9 November 2017
GenreChristmas
Length2:45
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Greg Kurstin
Sia singles chronology
"Santa's Coming for Us"
(2017) 		"Snowman"
(2017) 		"Helium"
(2018)
Music video
"Snowman" on YouTube
"Snowman - Part II" on YouTube

"Snowman" is a song by Australian singer-songwriter Sia. It was released on 9 November 2017, as the second single from Sia's eighth studio album, Everyday Is Christmas.[1] A music video made via claymation was released on 30 October 2020. A part two of the music video was released on 22 December 2022.

"Snowman" earned positive reviews from critics, some of whom deemed it the highlight single from Everyday Is Christmas. The song experienced a popularity surge in November 2020 on TikTok,[2] and has since been branded as a modern-day Christmas classic.[3]

Composition

The song's co-writer Greg Kurstin in 2017

"Snowman" was written by Sia and frequent collaborator Greg Kurstin. Written in the key of D♭ major, Sia's vocals span from F3 to G♭5.[4] Production on the track was handled solely by Kurstin.[5] The song is a midtempo, 60's-inspired,[6] piano-driven, crisp, swaying ballad[7] over which Sia's vocals, described as "calm but energetic" by mxdwn, tell a snowman not to cry as he will melt.[8][9] The track runs for a length of 2 minutes and 45 seconds.[10]

Release and promotion

"Snowman" was announced on Sia's social media accounts on 7 November 2017, and was released for digital download and streaming on 9 November 2017 as the second single from Everyday Is Christmas.[1][11][12] Sia performed "Snowman" on The Ellen DeGeneres Show,[13] and on the finale of the fifteenth season of American reality TV series The Voice.[14]

In December 2020, a challenge based around the song on video-sharing app TikTok saw a massive rise in popularity, becoming a trend. The challenge sees TikTok users attempt to sing a portion of the song, lasting forty seconds, in one breath.[2] Sia subsequently released a "Snowed In & Slowed Down Remix" of the track, which was later featured on the Snowman Deluxe Edition of Everyday is Christmas on 5 November 2021.[15] In addition to this, a sped-up version was included on the 2022 reissue of the album.[16]

Reception

Slant Magazine described the song as a "clever ode to fleeting romance".[17] Slate named it the best song on Everyday Is Christmas, noting it "[takes] something we associate with winter and [applies] it to a universal theme."[18] NME commented that the TikTok remix version of the song "opts for a breezier tempo than the original, with Sia changing the song’s key midway through for extra effect."[15]

The song has also been included in lists of the best Christmas songs of all-time published by The Athletic,[19] Esquire,[20] Cosmopolitan,[21] and was described by Billboard in 2022 as a "modern seasonal classic".[3]

Commercial performance

Upon its initial release in 2017, "Snowman" debuted and peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Holiday Digital Songs Sales chart dated 2 December 2017.[22] Since its rise in popularity in 2020, the track has reached the top 10 various markets, including Germany,[23] Switzerland,[24] the Netherlands,[25] and Sweden.[26] It also reached the top 20 in Australia[27] and Canada,[28] among others, and peaked at number 15 on the Billboard Global 200 in 2023.[29] In 2021, it reached number 1 on the Finnish Singles Chart,[30] becoming Sia's first chart-topping hit in the country.[31] In the same year, it topped the Norwegian Singles Chart for two weeks and returned to number 1 in 2022 and 2023.[32]

As of December 2022, "Snowman" was one of the 10 most-streamed Christmas songs of all-time on streaming platform Spotify.[33]

Music videos

On 30 October 2020, a claymation music video for "Snowman", directed by Lior Molcho, premiered on YouTube.[34] On 22 December 2022, a "Part II" of the video was released, also directed by Molcho.[35]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[5]

  • Sia Furler – songwriter, vocals
  • Greg Kurstin – songwriter, producer, bass, drums, keyboards, piano, engineer
  • Alex Pasco – engineer
  • Julian Burg – engineer
  • Şerban Ghenea – mixer
  • John Hanes – mixing engineer
  • Chris Gehringer – mastering engineer

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for "Snowman"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[74] Platinum 90,000‡
France (SNEP)[75] Diamond 333,333‡
Italy (FIMI)[76] Platinum 100,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[77] Platinum 30,000‡
Poland (ZPAV)[78] 4× Platinum 200,000‡
Portugal (AFP)[79] Platinum 10,000‡
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[80] Platinum 60,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[81] Platinum 600,000‡
United States (RIAA)[82] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release history for "Snowman"
Region Date Format Version Label(s) Ref.
Various 9 November 2017
Original
[83]
9 December 2020 Video streaming Snowed In & Slowed Down TikTok Remix [84][15]
29 October 2021
  • Digital download
  • streaming
 [85]

References

  1. ^ a b Myers, Owen (16 November 2017). "Thank God Sia is doing Christmas music her way". The Fader. Archived from the original on 28 June 2022. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  2. ^ a b Fowler, Kate (14 December 2020). "TikTok: What is the Snowman Challenge? Sia's Christmas song is the latest trend!". HITC. Archived from the original on 14 December 2020. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
  3. ^ a b Dailey, Hannah (22 November 2022). "Best New Christmas Songs for 2022: Lizzo, Camila Cabello & More". Billboard. Archived from the original on 30 November 2022. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  4. ^ Furler, Sia; Kurstin, Greg. "Snowman - Digital Sheet Music". MusicNotes. Archived from the original on 6 February 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Credits, Everyday Is Christmas by Sia | TIDAL". Archived from the original on 30 March 2021.
  6. ^ "Thank God Sia is doing Christmas music her way". The FADER. Archived from the original on 23 November 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  7. ^ Leight, Elias (21 December 2020). "All They Want for Christmas Is a TikTok Hit". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 26 December 2020. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  8. ^ "The quality of Sia's Christmas album would leave Stephens shaken". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 17 November 2017. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
  9. ^ "Listen to Sia's Ballad 'Snowman' from Forthcoming Holiday Album". Archived from the original on 30 March 2021.
  10. ^ Everyday Is Christmas (Deluxe Edition), archived from the original on 30 November 2020, retrieved 15 December 2020
  11. ^ @sia (8 November 2017). "The Christmas goodies continue, "Snowman" from Everyday Is Christmas will be out Thursday worldwide. - Team Sia" (Tweet). Retrieved 17 December 2020 – via Twitter.
  12. ^ @sia (9 November 2017). "Move over Frosty ⛄ "Snowman" is here! Stream & download it now: https://fanlink.to/snowman - Team Sia" (Tweet). Retrieved 17 December 2020 – via Twitter.
  13. ^ "Sia Unwraps a Special Holiday Performance of 'Snowman' | The Ellen Show on YouTube". YouTube. Archived from the original on 20 November 2021.
  14. ^ ""Don't miss Sia performing "Snowman"... | Sia on Twitter".
  15. ^ a b c "Listen to Sia's remix of her 2018 track, 'Snowman'". NME. 10 December 2020. Archived from the original on 10 December 2020. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  16. ^ Sia. "Everyday Is Christmas (Snowman Deluxe Edition)". Apple Music (US). Archived from the original on 12 November 2022. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  17. ^ Camp, Alexa (13 November 2017). "Review: Sia, Everyday Is Christmas". Slant Magazine. Archived from the original on 23 January 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
  18. ^ Martinelli, Marissa (21 November 2017). "All the Songs on Sia's New Christmas Album, Ranked". Slate. Archived from the original on 22 May 2019. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
  19. ^ Staff, The Athletic Fantasy Sports. "Top 100 Christmas songs ranked: Ray Charles ... at No. 1?". The Athletic. Archived from the original on 5 February 2021. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  20. ^ McNeal, Bria (12 December 2023). "The Best Christmas Songs of All Time". Esquire. Archived from the original on 15 December 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  21. ^ Thompson, Eliza; Truong, Peggy; Igoe, Katherine J; Young, Courtney (1 December 2023). "The 75 best Christmas songs of all time (you can thank us later)". Cosmopolitan. Archived from the original on 12 December 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  22. ^ "Holiday Digital Song Sales Chart". Billboard. Archived from the original on 25 September 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  23. ^ a b "Sia – Snowman" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  24. ^ a b "Sia – Snowman". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  25. ^ a b "Sia – Snowman" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  26. ^ a b "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 51, 2023" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  27. ^ a b "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 1 January 2024. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  28. ^ a b "Sia Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  29. ^ a b "Sia Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  30. ^ a b "Sia: Snowman" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  31. ^ "Suomen Virallinen Lista". Musiikkituottajat (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 26 May 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  32. ^ "Snowman" (in Norwegian). VG-lista. Archived from the original on 15 December 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  33. ^ Sutherland, Mark (20 December 2022). "Jingle bell rock: Festive hits in the streaming era". PRS for Music. Archived from the original on 23 December 2022. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  34. ^ "Sia - Snowman [Official Video] - YouTube". Archived from the original on 15 December 2020. Retrieved 15 December 2020 – via YouTube.
  35. ^ "Sia - Snowman (Official Video - Part II) - YouTube". Archived from the original on 22 December 2022. Retrieved 23 December 2022 – via YouTube.
  36. ^ "Sia – Snowman" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  37. ^ "Sia – Snowman" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  38. ^ "Sia – Snowman" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  39. ^ "Sia Chart History (Croatia Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  40. ^ "ARC 100 - Week 52 (25.12.2023.)". HRT. 25 December 2023. Archived from the original on 27 December 2023. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  41. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 49. týden 2023 in the date selector. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
  42. ^ "Track Top-40 Uge 50, 2023". Hitlisten. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  43. ^ "Top Singles (Week 52, 2023)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  44. ^ "Official IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) - Week 50/2023". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on 21 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  45. ^ "Sia Chart History (Hong Kong Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  46. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  47. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Stream Top 40 slágerlista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  48. ^ "Tónlistinn – Lög" [The Music – Songs] (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on 31 December 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  49. ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  50. ^ "Top Singoli – Classifica settimanale WK 52" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Archived from the original on 5 February 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  51. ^ "Mūzikas Patēriņa Tops/ 49. nedēļa" (in English and Latvian). LAIPA. 10 December 2023. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  52. ^ "2021 51-os savaitės klausomiausi (TOP 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. 24 December 2021. Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
  53. ^ "Sia Chart History (Luxembourg Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  54. ^ "#RIMChart Top 20 Most Streamed International + Domestic song Week 52 (18/12/20 - 24/12/20)". RIM. 1 January 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2024 – via Facebook.
  55. ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 2 January 2023. Archived from the original on 30 December 2022. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  56. ^ "VG-lista – Topp 20 Single 2021-49". VG-lista. Archived from the original on 10 December 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  57. ^ "OLiS – oficjalna lista airplay" (Select week 16.12.2023–22.12.2023.) (in Polish). OLiS. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  58. ^ "OLiS – oficjalna lista sprzedaży – single w streamie" (Select week 01.12.2023–07.12.2023.) (in Polish). OLiS. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  59. ^ "Sia – Snowman". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  60. ^ "Sia Chart History (Romania Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  61. ^ "RIAS Top Charts Week 52 (22 - 28 Dec 2023)". RIAS. Archived from the original on 3 January 2024. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  62. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 50. týden 2023 in the date selector. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  63. ^ "Digital Chart – Week 52 of 2022". Circle Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on 29 December 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
  64. ^ "Top 100 Canciones – Semana 52: del 22.12.2023 al 28.12.2023". Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  65. ^ "This Week's Official UAE Chart Top 20: from 22/12/2023 to 29/12/2023". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  66. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  67. ^ "Sia Chart History: Holiday Digital Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on 15 November 2020. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
  68. ^ "Sia Chart History (Billboard Vietnam Hot 100)". Billboard. Archived from the original on 3 March 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  69. ^ "Stream Top 100 - darabszám alapján - 2021" (in Hungarian). Mahasz. Archived from the original on 24 January 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  70. ^ 2021년 Digital Chart [2021 Digital Chart] (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Archived from the original on 7 January 2022. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  71. ^ "Digital Chart 2022". Circle Chart. Archived from the original on 13 January 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  72. ^ "Single Top 100 - digitális és fizikai értékesítés alapján - 2023" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Archived from the original on 31 January 2024. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  73. ^ "Digital Chart 2023". Circle Chart. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  74. ^ "Danish single certifications – Sia – Snowman". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  75. ^ "French single certifications – Sia – Snowman" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
  76. ^ "Italian single certifications – Sia – Snowman" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  77. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Sia – Snowman". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  78. ^ "OLiS - oficjalna lista wyróżnień" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 7 August 2024. Click "TYTUŁ" and enter Snowman in the search box.
  79. ^ "Portuguese single certifications – Sia – Snowman" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  80. ^ "Spanish single certifications – Sia – Snowman". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  81. ^ "British single certifications – Sia – Snowman". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  82. ^ "American single certifications – Sia – Snowman". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  83. ^ "Snowman". Archived from the original on 16 March 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2020 – via Spotify.
  84. ^ "Sia – Snowman (Snowed In & Slowed Down TikTok Remix)". Archived from the original on 20 December 2020. Retrieved 15 December 2020 – via YouTube.
  85. ^ Sia. "Snowman (Slowed Down & Snowed In Remix) - Single". Apple Music (US). Archived from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 29 October 2021.