"Santa, Can't You Hear Me" is a duet by American singers Kelly Clarkson and Ariana Grande. It is the second single from Clarkson's ninth studio album and second Christmas album, When Christmas Comes Around... (2021). The song was written by Clarkson with Aben Eubanks, with the song's track recording was produced by Jason Halbert.
Release and reception "Santa, Can't You Hear Me" was written by Clarkson with Aben Eubanks and produced by Jason Halbert. Following filming the 21st season of the American reality television series The Voice, Clarkson invited Grande to record the track with her. "Santa, Can't You Hear Me" was released by Atlantic Records on October 15, 2021, the day of the album's release. An uptempo big band pop Christmas anthem, the song lyrics sing of an appeal to Santa Claus. Instead of material gifts, the singers ask for answers on how they can achieve their outmost desire for Christmas, which is love.
Reception Upon its release, Randee Dawn of Today remarked that the song is exactly what one might expect from the singers, writing that it "bounces off each other with full-throated harmonies and high notes alike" and ends with a "big band-sounding flourish that will leave one's heart pounding for more. Reviewing the album for Vulture, Justin Curto highlighted the track as sounding as big as one would expect it to be.
In her review of the track on iHeartRadio, Ariel King wrote that the song proves both the singers' talent and what makes them such "incredible powerhouses" is how they perfectly blend their vocals for "a captivating listen". A.D. Amorosi of Variety wrote that the live version of the song sounds "more lustrous than its studio version", thanks to Clarkson "edgy alto" and Grande "flitting, breezy voice for a surprisingly (for holiday music) improvisational vibe".
Glamour UK listed the song as one of the "Best Christmas Songs Ever". Cosmopolitan listed the song on the best "50 Modern Christmas Songs".
Live performances On December 1, 2021, the two singers performed the song during Clarkson's When Christmas Comes Around Christmas special which premiered on NBC as promotion for the album.
On December 13, 2022, Clarkson performed the song solo on the twenty-second season finale of The Voice. On December 15, 2022, Clarkson performed the song solo on The Kelly Clarkson Show. On November 30, 2023, Clarkson performed the song solo at the Rockefeller Centre Tree Lighting in New York City, broadcast on NBC.
Music video A music video was expected to be released.
Personnel Credits lifted from When Christmas Comes Around... liner notes
Vocals – Kelly Clarkson, Ariana Grande Background vocals – Jessi Collins, Nayanna Holey, Tiffany Palmer, Brandon Winbush Producer, keyboards, B3, programming – Jason Halbert Engineers – John Hanes, Robert Venable, Tom Peltier, John DeNosky Mastering engineer – Chris Gehringer Bass – Kyle Whalum Drums – Lester Estelle Guitars – Aben Eubanks, Jaco Caraco, Luke Sullivant Mixer – Serban Ghenea Percussion – Ron Sorbo Programming (additional) – Rachel Or Orchestra arranger and conductor – Joseph Trapanese Orchestra contractor – Gina Zimmitti, Witney Martin Saxophone – Jesse McGinty Trumpet – Mike Cordone, Ray Montiero Trombone – Garrett Smith
Charts + Chart performance for "Santa, Can't You Hear Me" Chart (2022–2025) Peakposition Croatia International Airplay (Top lista) 87 Greece International (IFPI) 26 Italy (FIMI) 91 Lithuania (AGATA) 59 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) 35 Norway (IFPI Norge) 87 Poland (Polish Streaming Top 100) 77 Portugal (AFP) 74 South Korea (Gaon) 165 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) 98 US Holiday 100 (Billboard) 28
Certifications
Release history + List of release dates, showing region, release format, catalog, and label Region Date Format(s) Version Label Various October 15, 2021 Streaming Original Atlantic December 2, 2022 Live December 9, 2022 Original Italy December 12, 2025 Radio airplay Warner
References