Elton John Enlists CMAT For New Version of Festive Smash ‘Step Into Christmas’

Elton John has revisited one of his iconic holiday tracks, "Step Into Christmas," this time joining forces with Irish country-pop artist CMAT to offer listeners a newly recorded version of the festive tune. Originally released in 1973, the song has been given a contemporary twist with vocals shared between John and CMAT, bringing a fresh dynamic to the classic.

This reimagined edition of "Step Into Christmas" is currently available exclusively through Amazon Music, marking the latest in the platform's series of holiday music initiatives. Amazon Music has previously collaborated with a range of prominent artists, including Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, John Legend, and Olivia Dean, for both original Christmas songs and innovative covers of timeless seasonal hits.

The original version of "Step Into Christmas" has enjoyed enduring popularity, reaching number seven on the U.K.’s Official Singles Chart in 2025 and entering the Billboard Holiday 100 chart at position 49 in 2026. The renewed version with CMAT aims to build on this legacy by introducing the song to a new generation of listeners while honoring its classic roots.

Elton John expressed admiration for CMAT, highlighting her unique blend of rock, country, and Americana influences and praising her engaging personality and humor. He identified a shared creative spirit between them, which made the collaboration on this holiday project especially meaningful.

From CMAT’s perspective, working with Elton John was a profound experience that connected her childhood memories to her present career. She reflected on how Elton John's music has been a constant companion since she was a child, evoking nostalgic memories and emotional resonance. The opportunity to collaborate with such a legendary figure, particularly on a song celebrating the festive season, was described as deeply gratifying.

This partnership follows a notable trend of exclusive holiday music releases on Amazon Music, including Kylie Minogue’s 2025 chart-topping single "XMAS" in the United Kingdom. These releases serve to broaden the holiday music landscape while leveraging exclusive streaming platforms to reach audiences.

While details about the production process and additional contributors to the new version of the track remain limited, the collaboration between Elton John and CMAT has generated considerable interest due to the blending of their distinctive styles and the enduring appeal of the original song.

As the holiday season approaches, this fresh take on "Step Into Christmas" provides both longtime fans and new listeners with an opportunity to experience a familiar festive anthem through a contemporary lens. The collaboration underscores the continuing relevance of classic holiday music in today's streaming era, as well as the potential for established artists to rejuvenate their work through unexpected partnerships.