Last year, Billie Eilish performed a jazzy Christmas classic on Saturday Night Live, so spectacular that it’s currently going viral for a second time in the run-up to Christmas 2024.
Amassing over 3.8 million YouTube hits in only eleven months, Billie’s rendition of “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” featuring her brother and some pro-jazz session musicians, is one of her most stunning covers ever heard here at The Music Man, and viewers can’t get over how perfectly her voice revitalizes this old-school track!
This quick clip kicks off with Billie’s brother & frequent collaborator Finneas (aged 26 in this clip) tinkling the piano to a soft, midnight jazz beat, all band members feeling festive with their Christmas jumpers on and performing on a stage dotted with Christmas trees and boughs. Billie’s velvet voice takes center stage; whimsical and wavering through the vintage melody while refreshing the track under her unique, chart-topping tones and style.
It’s almost like hearing Audrey Hepburn singing “Moon River,” so tender and laid-back is Billie’s voice, and, once the fake snow starts falling over the dreamy scene, the festive spirit truly sinks in.
Finneas, in his knitted pine-green sweater, backed by a double bass and the brushes of a jazz drummer, paints a mellow mood for Billie (aged 20 in this clip) to glide her vocals over, and in this super-stripped back setting, Billie gives us a rare glimpse of her supernatural ability to sing R&B, glissading through convoluted melodies with full heart and soul and leaving listeners feeling robbed that this cover wasn’t released as an official Christmas single.
As the track draws to a close, a super sweet contrast unfolds as Billie lets go of the professional reserve of her churchlike performance to clap in total excitement for the band supporting her and flash wide smiles at the live studio audience.
This cover has swept fans off their feet, as thousands flock to the comments section to tell how desperate they are for an official Billie Eilish Christmas album. Calling her voice “gold for the ears” and “perfect for Christmas music,” listeners can’t get over Billie’s vocal agility, control, and absolute perfect pitch shining bright through this performance, while another writes, “Billie just made me feel the same feeling that Christmas gives you as a child. Haven’t felt that in years.”
For a pop star renowned for the obnoxious hit “Bad Guy,” this surprisingly isn’t Billie’s first step into the realms of classic jazz; she’s been touching down in this genre sporadically through her later album releases, bringing back vintage vibes on the single, “Happier Than Ever,” album track, “Halley’s Comet,” and more!
Billie Eilish continues to enchant the world with her unique interpretation of timeless classics, and her extraordinary rendition of “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” is no exception. The performance is a testament to her remarkable talent and ability to breathe new life into beloved songs. To delve deeper into Billie’s creative world and to revisit this stunning performance, explore the links provided below.
