Under the Mistletoe
Studio album by
Justin Bieber
ReleasedNovember 1, 2011[1]
Recorded2011
GenreChristmas
Length37:51
Label
Producer
Justin Bieber chronology
Never Say Never: The Remixes
(2011)		 Under the Mistletoe
(2011)		 Believe
(2012)
Singles from Under the Mistletoe
  1. "Mistletoe"
    Released: October 17, 2011
  2. "All I Want for Christmas Is You (SuperFestive!)"
    Released: December 9, 2011

Under the Mistletoe is the first Christmas album and second studio album by Canadian singer Justin Bieber, released on November 1, 2011, by RBMG/Island Def Jam Music Group. The album features fifteen tracks, including seven original songs co-written by Bieber, along with cover versions of Christmas carols and standards. Fellow artists Usher, Boyz II Men, Mariah Carey, Busta Rhymes, and the Band Perry all make guest appearances on the album.

The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart and the Billboard Top Holiday Albums chart, selling 210,000 copies in its first week, becoming the first Christmas album by a male artist to debut at number one.[2] This was Bieber's third number-one album on the Billboard 200, following Never Say Never: The Remixes earlier in the year.[2] With this album he became the first artist to earn three number one albums on the chart before their 18th birthday. [3] The album is currently certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), for sales of over two million units.[4]

Background

On August 25, 2011, Bieber announced that he would be releasing his first Christmas album and second studio album later in 2011.[5] Manager Scooter Braun and vocal producer Kuk Harrell confirmed a week later that Bieber had collaborated with Sean Kingston and Taylor Swift, and worked with producers The Messengers.[6] Later that month, it was announced that Boyz II Men, Usher, and The Band Perry were also collaborating with Bieber on the album.[7] On September 30, 2011, Bieber released the official album cover and album name on Facebook.[7] On October 4, 2011, Mariah Carey revealed that she and Bieber recorded her song "All I Want for Christmas Is You" as a duet for the new album. Bieber's version of the song "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" from the motion picture Arthur Christmas, samples "I Want You Back" and "ABC" by the Jackson 5.[8]

Singles

The album's first single "Mistletoe", was written and produced with The Messengers, and it was released on October 17, 2011.[9] The album's second single, "All I Want for Christmas Is You (SuperFestive!)", was released as a radio airplay only single in Italy on December 9, 2011.[10]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic54/100[11]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[12]
Entertainment WeeklyC+[13]
The Guardian[14]

Under the Mistletoe was met with generally mixed reviews. At Metacritic, the album received an average score of 54, based on four critical reviews.[11] AllMusic also assessed the critical consensus giving the album three stars.[12]

Andy Kellman of AllMusic credited Bieber "for the effort he put in" and for not "sleepwalking" through the Christmas album like "most artists," although he did feel that Bieber "definitely sounds more enthused by the original songs" while calling Bieber's "Drummer Boy" goofy but complimenting his version of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town."[11] Writing for Entertainment Weekly, Adam Markovitz also felt that the original songs were much better than the covers, calling them "sleigh-ride-smooth R&B jangles" while writing that "the classics bring no cheer."[15] Jason Scott of The Seattle Post-Intelligencer gave the album a positive review, writing that Bieber "proves he is a mainstay in the industry by crafting a highly energetic and expressive album that is filled to the brim with eggnog flavored treats, ranging from straight up pop and R&B to country" and named it "a wonderful performance."[16]

Caroline Sullivan of The Guardian opined that "the guests are the album's saving grace" and felt that "they generally outclass his by quite a stretch," although she did feel that "holds his own" against Mariah Carey.[17] Jon Caramanica of The New York Times wrote that Bieber "[hadn't] ever sounded this good" but also felt that he was at times overshadowed on the guest appearances.[18]

Commercial performance

Under the Mistletoe debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 210,000 copies in its first week.[2] This became Bieber's third US number one debut and his fifth US top ten album.[2] It also became the first Christmas album by a male artist to debut at number one and the first solo artist to have three number one albums before his 18th birthday.[2] In its second week, the album dropped to number six on the chart, selling an additional 97,000 copies, which was a 54% decrease.[19] In its third week, the album climbed to number five on the chart, selling 84,000 more copies.[20] In its fourth week, the album dropped to number six on the chart, selling 142,000 copies, which was a 69% increase.[20] By the end of 2011, the album totaled 1,245,000 copies in US sales, according to Nielsen SoundScan, and was the eleventh best-selling album of the year.[21] As of December 2015, the album had sold 1,510,000 copies.[22] On June 24, 2020, the album was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for combined sales and album-equivalent units of over two million units in the United States.[4]

The album also debuted at number one in Canada, and within the top 10 in Ireland, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Australia, Norway, Sweden, New Zealand, and the Netherlands.

Track listing

Under the Mistletoe track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Only Thing I Ever Get for Christmas"
  • Stewart
  • Pearce
3:12
2."Mistletoe"
The Messengers3:02
3."The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)" (featuring Usher)
3:35
4."Santa Claus Is Coming to Town"
  • Stewart
  • Pearce
3:36
5."Fa La La" (featuring Boyz II Men)
  • Harvey
  • Josh Cross
3:05
6."All I Want for Christmas Is You (SuperFestive!)" (duet with Mariah Carey)
4:00
7."Drummer Boy" (featuring Busta Rhymes)
  • Harrell
  • Sean K
  • Bieber*
3:45
8."Christmas Eve"
  • Thompson
  • Boogie Wizzard
  • Brown*
3:43
9."All I Want Is You"
  • Bieber
  • Brandon Hamilton
Bieber3:36
10."Home This Christmas" (featuring The Band Perry)
  • Nasri
  • Turpin
3:24
11."Silent Night"
Harrell2:49
Total length:37:51
Deluxe edition bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
12."Christmas Love"
  • Atweh
  • Messinger
  • Bieber
The Messengers3:26
13."Fa La La" (acapella version; featuring Boyz II Men)
  • Shropshire
  • Bieber
  • Harvey
  • Harvey
  • Cross
2:55
14."Pray"
  • Atweh
  • Messinger
  • Omar Martinez
  • Bieber
The Messengers3:32
15."Someday at Christmas"
  • Ronald Miller
  • Bryan Wells
Jay Riehl2:53
Total length:50:38
Japanese deluxe edition bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
16."All I Want Is You" (acoustic version)
  • Bieber
  • Brandon Hamilton
Bieber3:38
Total length:3:38
Deluxe edition DVD[23]
No.TitleLength
16."In the Studio Making the Album" 
17."Making of the "Mistletoe" Video" 
18."Pray" (music video) 

Note: (*) denotes a co-producer

Personnel

Credits are adapted from liner notes[24]

  • Justin Bieber – vocals (3, 9, 11, lead on 1–2, 4–6, 8, 10, singing on 7), rap vocals (7), live drums (7), music producer (7, 9)
  • Nasri Atweh – music producer (10), musical arrangements (10), additional background vocals (2)
  • The Band Perry – vocals (10)
  • Brandon Bee – drums (10), bass played by (10)
  • Jonathan Berry – guitar (10)
  • Durell Bottoms – assistant recording engineer (5)
  • Boyz II Men – vocals (5)
  • Chris Brown – background vocals (8), music producer (8)
  • Busta Rhymes – rap vocals (7)
  • Mariah Carey – lead vocals (6), music producer (6)
  • Tim Carmon – piano (3), keyboards (11)
  • Martin Cooke – assistant recording engineer (6)
  • Josh Cross – music producer (5)
  • Melonie Daniels – background vocals (6)
  • Brad Dechter – musical arrangement (6), orchestral arrangement (6)
  • Greg DePante – assistant recording engineer (6)
  • Nicolas Essig – assistant recording engineer (5)
  • Iain Findlay – assistant recording engineer (8)
  • Angie Fisher – background vocals (6)
  • Jesus Garnica – assistant audio mixing (1, 4–5, 7–8)
  • Jerohn Garrett – drums (6)
  • Brian Garten – recording engineer (6)
  • Sharlotte Gibson – background vocals (6)
  • Josh Gudwin – recording engineer
  • Kuk Harrell – vocal producer, music producer (11), background vocals (1, 4)
  • Bernard Harvey – music producer (5)
  • Bryan Jackson – background vocals (4)
  • Randy Jackson – music producer (6)
  • Jaycen Joshua – audio mixing (1, 4–5, 7–8)
  • Sean K. – music producer (3, 7), music programming (3)
  • Thomas Kanarek – assistant recording engineer (6)
  • Mitch Kinney – assistant recording engineer (2, 5, 8)
  • Miguel Lara – assistant recording engineer (1–5, 7–11)
  • Damien Lewis – assistant audio mixing (2–3, 6), additional recording engineer (9–11)
  • Peter Mack – assistant recording engineer (6)
  • Sherry McGhee – background vocals (6)
  • The Messengers – music producers (2), instrumental arrangement (2), vocal arrangement (2)
  • Adam Messinger – all instruments (2)
  • Luis Navarro – assistant recording engineer (1, 4)
  • George Nozuka – additional background vocals (10)
  • Chris "Tek" O'Ryan – recording engineer
  • Charlie Paakkari – assistant recording engineer (6)
  • Aaron Pearce – music producer (1, 4), music programming (1, 4)
  • Doc Powell – guitar (6)
  • Daniela Rivera – assistant audio mixing (2–3), additional recording engineer (9–11)
  • Marc Shaiman – musical arrangement (6), orchestral arrangement (6)
  • Jason Sherwood – assistant recording engineer (3)
  • Adonis Shropshire – additional background vocals (5)
  • Brian Springer – recording engineer (8)
  • C. "Tricky" Stewart – music producer (1, 4), music programming (1, 4)
  • Tom Strahle – guitar (9)
  • S'Von – piano (10)
  • Phil Tan – audio mixing (2–3, 6, 9–11)
  • Antwan Thompson – music producer (8)
  • Lloyd "Sonny" Thompson – bass played by (6)
  • Michael Thompson – guitar (1, 3–4)
  • Micah Tolentino – background vocals (6)
  • Nick Turpin – music producer (10), musical arrangement (10), additional background vocals (10)
  • Usher – vocals (3)
  • Stephen Villa – assistant recording engineer (1, 4)
  • Jerrol "Boogie" Wizzard – music producer (8)
  • James "Big Jim" Wright – music producer (6), keyboards (6)

Charts

Certifications and sales

Certifications and sales for Under the Mistletoe
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[62] Platinum 70,000^
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[63] Platinum 40,000*
Canada (Music Canada)[64] 3× Platinum 240,000^
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[65] 3× Platinum 60,000‡
Ireland (IRMA)[66] Platinum 15,000^
Italy (FIMI)[67] Gold 30,000*
Mexico (AMPROFON)[68] Platinum 60,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[69] Platinum 15,000‡
Norway (IFPI Norway)[70] Platinum 20,000*
Poland (ZPAV)[71] Gold 10,000‡
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[72] Gold 20,000^
Sweden (GLF)[73] Gold 20,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[74] Gold 100,000^
United States (RIAA)[75] 2× Platinum 2,000,000‡
Venezuela[76] Gold  

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Vena, Jocelyn (September 29, 2011). "Justin Bieber Shoots Christmas-Themed 'Mistletoe' Video". MTV News. MTV Networks. Retrieved October 1, 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Caulfield, Keith (November 9, 2011). "Justin Bieber's 'Mistletoe' Brightens Billboard 200 with No. 1 Debut". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  3. ↑ Caulfield, Keith (November 9, 2011). "Justin Bieber's 'Mistletoe' Brightens Billboard 200 With No. 1 Debut". Billboard. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  4. 1 2 Keith Caulfield. "RIAA Album Certifications - Justin Bieber". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  5. ↑ Schwartz, Terri (August 25, 2011). "Justin Bieber's Early Christmas Gift: A Holiday Album". MTV News. MTV Networks. Retrieved October 1, 2011.
  6. ↑ "JUSTIN BIEBER'S "UNDER THE MISTLETOE", HIS FIRST CHRISTMAS ALBUM, SET FOR NOV 1 RELEASE". Universal Music Canada. October 5, 2011. Archived from the original on May 27, 2012. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  7. 1 2 Talarico, Brittany (September 30, 2011). "See Justin Bieber's Christmas Album Cover Art & Title Reveal". OK! Magazine. Buzz Media. Retrieved October 1, 2011.
  8. ↑ "Mariah Carey Remakes Christmas Classic with Justin Bieber". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. October 4, 2011. Retrieved October 5, 2011.
  9. ↑ "Zeibiz » Justin Bieber: Under the Mistletoe Album – This November!". October 7, 2011. Archived from the original on October 7, 2011. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  10. ↑ "Justin Bieber duet with Mariah Carey - "All I Want For Christmas Is You" (Radio Date: Friday 9 December)" (in Italian). EarOne. Archived from the original on July 1, 2017.
  11. 1 2 3 "Critic Reviews for Under the Mistletoe at Metacritic". Metacritic. Retrieved December 18, 2011.
  12. 1 2 Kellman, Andy. "allmusic ((( Under the Mistletoes - Justin Bieber > Overview )))". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  13. ↑ Entertainment Weekly review Retrieved November 19, 2011.
  14. ↑ Caroline Sullivan (December 8, 2011). "Justin Bieber - Under the Mistletoe - review". The Guardian. Retrieved December 18, 2011.
  15. ↑ "Under the Mistletoe". Entertainment Weekly.
  16. ↑ "Music Review: Justin Bieber - Under the Mistletoe". November 3, 2011.
  17. ↑ "Justin Bieber: Under the Mistletoe – review". TheGuardian.com. December 8, 2011.
  18. ↑ Caramanica, Jon; Ratliff, Ben; Chinen, Nate; Pareles, Jon; Holden, Stephen (November 22, 2011). "Chestnuts Roasted, and Sometimes Burned". The New York Times.
  19. ↑ Keith Caulfield (November 16, 2011). "Mac Miller Moves In at No. 1 on Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  20. 1 2 Keith Caulfield (November 23, 2011). "Drake's 'Take Care' Blasts Onto Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  21. ↑ Grein, Paul (December 7, 2011). "Chart Watch Extra: The Year's Top Albums". Yahoo! Music. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved January 4, 2012.
  22. ↑ Caulfield, Keith (December 21, 2015). "Justin Bieber's 'Purpose' Becomes His Fifth Million-Selling Album in U.S." Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
  23. ↑ "Justin Bieber - Under the Mistletoe (Duluxe Edition)". Disctarra.com. Retrieved December 25, 2011.
  24. ↑ Bieber, Justin. Under the Mistletoe. Island Records/Island Def Jam Music Group. 2011.
  25. ↑ "Australiancharts.com – Justin Bieber – Under The Mistletoe". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
  26. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Justin Bieber – Under The Mistletoe" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  27. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Justin Bieber – Under The Mistletoe" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  28. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Justin Bieber – Under The Mistletoe" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  29. ↑ "Justin Bieber Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
  30. ↑ "Danishcharts.dk – Justin Bieber – Under The Mistletoe". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  31. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Justin Bieber – Under The Mistletoe" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  32. ↑ "Justin Bieber: Under The Mistletoe" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  33. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Justin Bieber – Under The Mistletoe". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  34. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Justin Bieber – Under the Mistletoe" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  35. ↑ "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2023. 52. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  36. ↑ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Justin Bieber". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  37. ↑ "Italiancharts.com – Justin Bieber – Under The Mistletoe". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
  38. ↑ "Mūzikas patēriņa tops gadu mijā" (in Latvian). LAIPA. Archived from the original on October 10, 2019. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  39. ↑ "2023 52-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. December 29, 2023. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  40. ↑ "Charts.nz – Justin Bieber – Under The Mistletoe". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  41. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Justin Bieber – Under The Mistletoe". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  42. ↑ "Oficjalna lista sprzedaży :: OLiS - Official Retail Sales Chart". OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
  43. ↑ "Portuguesecharts.com – Justin Bieber – Under The Mistletoe". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  44. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
  45. ↑ "Spanishcharts.com – Justin Bieber – Under the Mistletoe". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
  46. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Justin Bieber – Under The Mistletoe". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  47. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Justin Bieber – Under The Mistletoe". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  48. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
  49. ↑ "Justin Bieber Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
  50. ↑ "Justin Bieber Chart History (Holiday Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  51. ↑ "ARIA Top 100 Albums 2011". ARIA. Retrieved January 15, 2015.
  52. ↑ "Top Canadian Albums – Year-End 2011". Billboard. January 2, 2013. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  53. ↑ "Top de l'année Top Albums 2011" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  54. ↑ "Los más vendidos 2011 - Top 100 México" (PDF) (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 31, 2012. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
  55. ↑ "Top Selling Albums of 2011". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  56. ↑ "Årslista Album – År 2011" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  57. ↑ "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2011". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
  58. ↑ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2011". Billboard. January 2, 2013. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  59. 1 2 "Billboard 200 Albums - Year-End 2012". Billboard.com. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  60. ↑ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2013". Billboard. January 2, 2013. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
  61. ↑ "Album Top-100 2017". Hitlisten. Retrieved January 11, 2018.
  62. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2015 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
  63. ↑ "Brazilian album certifications – Justin Bieber – Under the Mistletoe" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
  64. ↑ "Canadian album certifications – Justin Bieber – Under the Mistletoe". Music Canada.
  65. ↑ "Danish album certifications – Justin Bieber – Under the Mistletoe". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  66. ↑ "The Irish Charts - 2012 Certification Awards - Platinum". Irish Recorded Music Association.
  67. ↑ "Italian album certifications – Justin Bieber – Under the Mistletoe" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Select "2013" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "Under the Mistletoe" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Album e Compilation" under "Sezione".
  68. ↑ "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Retrieved November 12, 2021. Type Justin Bieber in the box under the ARTISTA column heading and Under the Mistletoe in the box under the TÍTULO column heading.
  69. ↑ "New Zealand album certifications – Justin Bieber – Under the Mistletoe". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  70. ↑ "Norwegian album certifications – Justin Bieber – Under the Mistletoe" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  71. ↑ "Wyróżnienia – Złote płyty CD - Archiwum - Przyznane w 2015 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry.
  72. ↑ "Spanish album certifications – Justin Bieber – Under the Mistletoe". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España.
  73. ↑ "Veckolista Album, vecka 48, 2015 | Sverigetopplistan" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Scroll to position 58 to view certification.
  74. ↑ "British album certifications – Justin Bieber – Under the Mistletoe". British Phonographic Industry.
  75. ↑ "American album certifications – Justin Bieber – Under the Mistletoe". Recording Industry Association of America.
  76. ↑ "Justin Bieber disco de oro en Venezuela". Prodiscos.com.co. Archived from the original on March 14, 2012. Retrieved January 4, 2012.
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