Who says holiday songs have to be all sleigh bells and mistletoe? Charlie Puth is here to remind us that Christmas can also tug at the heartstrings. On November 7, the Grammy-nominated artist surprised fans with his latest single “December 25th”, a bittersweet, 80s-inspired ballad that’s perfect for the festive season—or for anyone spending it with a side of nostalgia.
“December 25th is the day I always miss you the most/ ‘Cause the music and the lights, it reminds me of a night/ That you told me you had to go,” Puth croons on the melancholy single, blending the cozy warmth of Christmas with the sting of a love that lingers. “December 25th is the day that always hits me the most/ still got no goodbye/ so I’d rather stay inside/ spending Christmas here alone.” The poignant lyrics stand in stark contrast to the usual cheer of holiday tunes, making this a uniquely heartfelt addition to any festive playlist. It’s not your typical holiday jam, but that’s exactly what makes it special—raw, reflective, and unmistakably Charlie.
And guess what? The song wasn’t even planned. In a press statement, Puth revealed the story behind the song:
“I wrote and recorded December 25th completely on a whim a few weeks ago in my studio while working on my new album, and though it sounds absolutely nothing like anything on the album, I figured why not share it for the holidays. So here you go.”
Classic Puth—always keeping us on our toes.
Despite the song’s wistful tone, Charlie Puth has plenty to celebrate this season. Just two months ago, Puth married Brooke Sansone in a stunning ceremony held at his family home in Montecito, California. The couple’s love story is pure rom-com material—they grew up together in New Jersey, started dating in June 2022, and after a whirlwind year, Puth popped the question in New York City at 11:11 p.m. (Yes, he’s that romantic.) Their romance—rooted in their shared New Jersey upbringing—culminated in a magical wedding that featured Bruce Springsteen’s Jersey Girl as their first-dance song, as revealed by Vogue. Cue the collective “aww.”
If you’re curious how this festive release ties into his much-anticipated fourth studio album, tentatively titled CP4, rest easy—’December 25th’ is just a standalone holiday treat. Puth has been teasing the new album for a while, describing it as raw, spontaneous, and unfiltered. “I just sing the first thing that comes to mind when I’m writing the record, and everything is just a little bit more free-flowing,” he explained. “No Auto-Tune or anything like that,” he added, emphasizing its authenticity.
“It’s like I’m in my almond-mom era. But it’s definitely not that. It’s lyrically specific; it’s about true things that happened to me that I’m not broadening out. I’m just saying the exact thing that’s in my brain. This happened exactly how it happened, and this is the color shirt that I was wearing and this is what I was eating. I’m putting that into the verse, kind of like what Taylor [Swift] does in her music.”
While ‘December 25th’ might not reflect the rest of the album, this festive detour shows off Charlie Puth’s knack for connecting deeply with his listeners. So, whether you’re hanging ornaments or cozying up with hot cocoa, let ‘December 25th’ set the mood for a holiday season that’s just a little bittersweet—but unforgettable.
Stream it now and let its heartfelt lyrics bring a little warmth to your winter nights!