"Lonely Christmas" (stylized in all lowercase) is a song by American singer Bryson Tiller, featuring vocals from Canadian singer Justin Bieber and American singer-songwriter and record producer Poo Bear. It was released through RCA Records on November 19, 2021, as the lead single from Tiller's debut extended play, A Different Christmas, along with the EP. The song was produced by Poo Bear, the Audibles, and Sasha Sirota.[1]
On November 10, 2021, Tiller announced the project and stated that it was inspired by Bieber alongside American singer Ariana Grande from their respective previous Christmas music.[2] Tiller announced the music video along with its release date and a sneak peak eight days later. The following day, the same day the song and EP were released, Tiller told the Essence magazine that Poo Bear had "Lonely Christmas" originally, and they worked on it together. They later decided to send the song to Bieber to record and send it back due to Poo Bear's affiliation with Bieber.[3] Tiller also elsewhere explained that it was different from the music that he regularly makes.[4]
Composition and lyrics[]
"Lonely Christmas" is an acoustic pop ballad.[1] It also consists of a "combination of soul samples with [Tiller]'s patented trap-like snares [drums]".[5] Bieber opens the song up with the first verse, sadly reminiscing on what his original plan to do for Christmas was before taking it into the chorus that features him singing about isolation and possible heartbreak.[6] Tiller comes in on the second verse, singing about spoiling his partner, and does his own rendition of the chorus. Poo Bear, who also produced the track, takes the bridge and goes into falsetto while referencing Jehovah's Witnesses. The song ends with Bieber back on the chorus and Tiller and Poo Bear supporting him on it; the same happens within the outro that Bieber takes with their support.[1]
Music video[]
A music video was also released on November 19, 2021, eleven hours after the release of the song and project. It opens with Tiller driving through a deserted island in the middle of the night. Another car rushes through and Tiller quickly swerves to avoid getting hit. The rest of the video features animated versions of Tiller, Bieber, and Poo Bear singing in various locations.[7]