8 Days of Christmas (song)

Background

"8 Days of Christmas" was written by Destiny's Child band members Beyoncé Knowles and Kelly Rowland along with Errol "Poppi" McCalla, Jr., while production was helmed by Knowles, her father Mathew and McCalla. The song contains re-sung lyrics from the traditional Christmas carol "The Twelve Days of Christmas" as well as replayed element from "Jingle Bells" as written by James Pierpont. Knowles stated during its video premiere at the BET countdown format 106 & Park in 2001: "Actually, we wrote the song two years ago, when we went in the studio to do some Christmas something. That's what started the idea of doing a Christmas album."

Critical reception

"8 Days of Christmas" received generally favorable reviews from music critics, although it has been reevaluated in the decades since its release.

Jordyn Beazley of The Guardian wrote that even if "It was released 20 years ago" the meaning of the song "has only got better with age". Raffy Ermac of Pride Magazine described it as " a fun, sexy spin on "The Twelve Days of Christmas" in which "instead of true love giving you useless things, [...] Beyoncé, Kelly, and Michelle are getting showered with gifts." Maura Johnston of Vulture wrote that the song "shows off Destiny’s Child innovative approach to pop-R&B", praising the "dizzying pre-chorus and jubilant refrain to the original’s day-by-day rundown" and the "collective prowess on a fluttering bridge".

Time Out listed the song as the 22nd on its list of "The 65 Best Christmas Songs of All Time", defining it "A fine achievement" with "an injection of sass and unabashed materialism", which "turned a cosy old holiday favourite into a bumping R&B Christmas carol for our times". Cosmopolitan listed the song as the 11th of "The 75 Best Christmas Songs of All Time"

Music video

The accompanying music video for "8 Days of Christmas" was directed by Sanaa Hamri and filmed in early October 2001. It shows all three members appearing in Santa Claus-inspired clothing at a toy store on a snowy day. Throughout the video, the group shops for various gifts and in between cuts and Knowles rides on a carousel. At the end of the video, many children rush into the toy store where the group gives out gifts.

The music video is featured on the DualDisc edition of 8 Days of Christmas.

Track listings and formats

;European CD single

1. "8 Days of Christmas" (album version) – 3:29
2. "Emotion" – 3:56

;US promotional CD single

1. "8 Days of Christmas" (album version) – 3:29
2. "8 Days of Christmas" (instrumental) – 3:29
3. "8 Days of Christmas" (a cappella) – 3:29
4. Holiday Greeting "Merry Christmas" – 0:10
5. Holiday Greeting "Happy Holidays" – 0:09
6. Holiday Greeting "Seasons Greetings" – 0:10
7. Holiday Greeting "Happy Kwanzaa" – 0:08
8. Holiday Greeting "Happy New Year" – 0:12

Charts

Certifications

Release history

Other versions

In 2023 American singer Coco Jones released a covered the song for Apple Music.

References

Notes

Citations

References

1. (2001). "8 Days of Christmas". [[Columbia Records.
2. "8 Days of Christmas" Sample of "The Twelve Days of Christmas". WhoSampled.com. http://www.whosampled.com/sample/127394/Destiny%27s-Child-8-Days-of-Christmas-Traditional-Folk-The-Twelve-Days-of-Christmas/
3. "8 Days of Christmas" Sample of "Jingle Bells (One Horse Open Sleigh)". WhoSampled.com. http://www.whosampled.com/sample/127396/Destiny%27s-Child-8-Days-of-Christmas-James-Pierpont-Jingle-Bells-(One-Horse-Open-Sleigh)/
4. [http://www.freewebs.com/keytasvibe/destinyschild.htm Keytas Vibe] {{Webarchive. link. (2010-09-18 Freewebs.com)
5. Wurzburger, Andrea. (November 18, 2022). "Taylor Swift, Mariah Carey, & More Stars Whose Christmas Songs Will Make Your Holiday Playlist Extra Festive".
6. Beck, Lia. (25 October 2023). "These Are the Best 50 Modern Christmas Songs to Add to Your Holiday Playlist".
7. Yongo, Sughnen. (December 16, 2024). "40 Timeless Christmas Song Classics To Warm The Season".
8. (October 13, 2021). "A List Of The Best Christmas Songs Of All Time, Ranked".
9. (December 20, 2022). "From Paul Kelly to Phoebe Bridgers: which songs are on your Christmas playlist?". [[The Guardian]].
10. Ermac, Raffy. (November 30, 2020). "The Top 10 Pop Christmas Songs of All Time, Ranked".
11. Johnston, Maura. (December 19, 2024). "The 50 Best Original Christmas Songs Since 'All I Want for Christmas Is You'".
12. (November 11, 2022). "The 65 Best Christmas Songs of All Time". [[Time Out (magazine).
13. (October 26, 2023). "The 75 Best Christmas Songs of All Time". [[Hearst Communications]].
14. Destiny's Child. (2005). "[[8 Days of Christmas]]". [[Columbia Records]], [[Music World Entertainment]], [[Sony Urban Music]].
15. vanHorn, Teri. (October 10, 2001). "Destiny's Child Confirm Track List For Holiday Album, Shoot Video". [[MTV News]].
16. Strecker, Erin. (December 4, 2014). "The 8 Best Things About Destiny's Child's Cheesy/Perfect '8 Days of Christmas' Music Video".
17. Destiny's Child. (2001). "8 Days of Christmas". [[Sony Music]].
18. Destiny's Child. (2001). "8 Days of Christmas". [[Columbia Records]].
19. (December 28, 2019). "ARIA Chart Watch #557". auspOp.
20. (December 29, 2025). "Airplay Radio Chart Top100 – 29. prosinca 2025.". [[Top lista]].
21. "Destiny's Child – 8 Days Of Christmas". [[Dutch Top 40]].
22. "Chart Log UK: Asher D – Dyverse". [[Official Charts Company]].
23. "Destiny's Child Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)".
24. (January 4, 2020). "ARIA Chart Watch #558". auspOp.
25. (October 15, 2001). "Emotion". [[Columbia Records]].
26. "Destiny's Child – Emotion". [[GfK Entertainment charts]].
27. (November 10, 2001). "New Releases – For Week Starting November 12, 2001".
28. Corrine, Amber. (November 1, 2023). "Coco Jones Covers Destiny's Child's "8 Days Of Christmas" Ahead Of The Holidays".