Jason Kelce is finding himself in the spotlight for a festive reason, one that involves dethroning none other than Mariah Carey as the “Queen of Christmas.” Following the release of his holiday single “Maybe This Christmas,” a collaboration with rock legend Stevie Nicks, Kelce’s song shot to the top of the holiday music charts, knocking Carey’s beloved “All I Want for Christmas Is You” out of the No. 1 spot.
The Joke That Sparked It All
In a recent episode of his podcast New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce, Jason joked about the impressive success of his holiday track. “You know, I’ve fought my whole life to be the queen of Christmas, and the fact that we’re finally there is just really special,” Kelce remarked, laughing about the unexpected rise of his single on the Apple Music and iTunes holiday charts.
Kelce acknowledged that their success came early in the holiday season, which might have played a part in the chart-topping achievement. “We kind of caught it on the Christmas downslide, like, not too many people are listening to Christmas music so we jumped up in there,” he said, humbly downplaying the achievement while still relishing the moment.
Mariah Carey’s Legacy as the ‘Queen of Christmas’
Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” has long been a holiday staple, having first hit the airwaves in 1994. Over the years, the song has become an anthem for the holiday season, and in doing so, solidified Carey’s status as the unofficial “Queen of Christmas.” Every December, the song finds its way back to the top of the charts, a testament to its enduring popularity. Kelce’s humorous comment about dethroning the legendary singer only fueled the ongoing holiday music rivalry.
However, the spirit of the holidays and the light-hearted nature of Kelce’s remarks are evident. The success of “Maybe This Christmas” is certainly a win, but it’s clear that both Kelce and Carey have earned their place in the hearts of holiday music fans.
“Maybe This Christmas” – A Star-Studded Collaboration
Jason Kelce’s holiday single is part of a larger project, as the song was released on November 8 as the lead track from his upcoming charity album, A Philly Special Christmas Party. This album is a collaboration with The Philly Specials, a band that includes several of Kelce’s Philadelphia Eagles teammates, including Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson.
The experience of working with Stevie Nicks, a legendary figure in rock music, was not lost on Kelce. “It was incredible to work with Stevie Nicks. I mean, obviously, I’m still in awe of the fact that that actually happened,” he said on his podcast, expressing his excitement over the collaboration. Kelce seemed humbled by the fact that the song had even reached the top of the charts. “There’s no percent chance that any song that I am in should be streaming No. 1 on any service, in any genre,” he quipped, poking fun at himself while appreciating the success.
What’s Next for Jason Kelce and the Philly Specials?
The album, A Philly Special Christmas Party, is scheduled for release on November 29, and fans are eagerly anticipating the full project, which is sure to be a holiday hit. In addition to the collaboration with Stevie Nicks, the album will feature another holiday-themed single, “Santa Drives an Astrovan,” a collaboration with the Philadelphia band Mt. Joy. This track will be released on November 15 and will bring a festive twist to Mt. Joy’s 2018 song, “Astrovan.”
With his infectious humor and unique blend of football stardom and musical ambition, Jason Kelce is creating a new holiday tradition for fans to enjoy. Whether or not he can maintain the No. 1 spot throughout the holiday season remains to be seen, but Kelce’s foray into holiday music is already making waves. For now, though, he’ll continue to relish his moment in the spotlight as the self-proclaimed “Queen of Christmas,” alongside a growing roster of holiday classics that fans look forward to each year.
