2017 single by Sia
"Snowman " is a song by Australian singer-songwriter
Sia . It was released on 9 November 2017, as the second single from Sia's eighth
studio album ,
Everyday Is Christmas .
[1] A music video made via
claymation was released on 30 October 2020. A part two of the music video was released on 22 December 2022.
"Snowman" earned positive reviews from critics, some of whom deemed it the
highlight single from Everyday Is Christmas . The song experienced a popularity surge in November 2020 on
TikTok ,
[2] and has since been branded as a modern-day Christmas
classic .
[3]
Composition
The song's co-writer
Greg Kurstin in 2017
"Snowman" was written by Sia and frequent collaborator
Greg Kurstin . Written in the key of
D♭ major , Sia's vocals span from F3 to G♭5.
[4] Production on the track was handled solely by Kurstin.
[5] The song is a
midtempo ,
60's -inspired,
[6] piano-driven, crisp, swaying
ballad
[7] over which Sia's vocals, described as "calm but energetic" by mxdwn , tell a
snowman not to cry as he will melt.
[8]
[9] The track runs for a length of 2 minutes and 45 seconds.
[10]
Release and promotion
"Snowman" was announced on Sia's
social media accounts on 7 November 2017, and was released for
digital download and
streaming on 9 November 2017 as the second single from
Everyday Is Christmas .
[1]
[11]
[12] Sia performed "Snowman" on
The Ellen DeGeneres Show ,
[13] and on the finale of the fifteenth season of American
reality TV series
The Voice .
[14]
In December 2020, a challenge based around the song on video-sharing app
TikTok saw a massive rise in popularity, becoming a trend. The challenge sees TikTok users attempt to sing a portion of the song, lasting forty seconds, in one breath.
[2] Sia subsequently released a "Snowed In & Slowed Down Remix" of the track, which was later featured on the Snowman Deluxe Edition of Everyday is Christmas on 5 November 2021.
[15] In addition to this, a sped-up version was included on the 2022 reissue of the album.
[16]
Reception
Slant Magazine described the song as a "clever ode to fleeting romance".
[17]
Slate named it the best song on Everyday Is Christmas , noting it "[takes] something we associate with winter and [applies] it to a universal theme."
[18]
NME commented that the TikTok remix version of the song "opts for a breezier tempo than the original, with Sia changing the song’s key midway through for extra effect."
[15]
The song has also been included in lists of the best
Christmas songs of all-time published by
The Athletic ,
[19]
Esquire ,
[20]
Cosmopolitan ,
[21] and was described by
Billboard in 2022 as a "modern seasonal classic".
[3]
Commercial performance
Upon its initial release in 2017, "Snowman" debuted and peaked at number 3 on the
Billboard Holiday Digital Songs Sales chart dated 2 December 2017.
[22] Since its rise in popularity in 2020, the track has reached the top 10 various markets, including Germany,
[23] Switzerland,
[24] the Netherlands,
[25] and Sweden.
[26] It also reached the top 20 in Australia
[27] and Canada,
[28] among others, and peaked at number 15 on the
Billboard Global 200 in 2023.
[29] In 2021, it reached number 1 on the
Finnish Singles Chart ,
[30] becoming Sia's first chart-topping hit in the country.
[31] In the same year, it topped the
Norwegian Singles Chart for two weeks and returned to number 1 in 2022 and 2023.
[32]
As of December 2022, "Snowman" was one of the 10 most-streamed Christmas songs of all-time on streaming platform
Spotify .
[33]
Music videos
On 30 October 2020, a
claymation music video for "Snowman", directed by Lior Molcho, premiered on
YouTube .
[34] On 22 December 2022, a "Part II" of the video was released, also directed by Molcho.
[35]
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from
Tidal .
[5]
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Certifications
Release history
References
^
a
b Myers, Owen (16 November 2017).
"Thank God Sia is doing Christmas music her way" .
The Fader .
Archived from the original on 28 June 2022. Retrieved 5 December 2022 .
^
a
b Fowler, Kate (14 December 2020).
"TikTok: What is the Snowman Challenge? Sia's Christmas song is the latest trend!" . HITC .
Archived from the original on 14 December 2020. Retrieved 15 December 2020 .
^
a
b Dailey, Hannah (22 November 2022).
"Best New Christmas Songs for 2022: Lizzo, Camila Cabello & More" .
Billboard .
Archived from the original on 30 November 2022. Retrieved 5 December 2022 .
^ Furler, Sia; Kurstin, Greg.
"Snowman - Digital Sheet Music" . MusicNotes .
Archived from the original on 6 February 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2021 .
^
a
b
"Credits, Everyday Is Christmas by Sia | TIDAL" .
Archived from the original on 30 March 2021.
^
"Thank God Sia is doing Christmas music her way" .
The FADER .
Archived from the original on 23 November 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2021 .
^ Leight, Elias (21 December 2020).
"All They Want for Christmas Is a TikTok Hit" .
Rolling Stone .
Archived from the original on 26 December 2020. Retrieved 27 December 2020 .
^
"The quality of Sia's Christmas album would leave Stephens shaken" .
The Irish Times .
Archived from the original on 17 November 2017. Retrieved 15 December 2020 .
^
"Listen to Sia's Ballad 'Snowman' from Forthcoming Holiday Album" .
Archived from the original on 30 March 2021.
^
Everyday Is Christmas (Deluxe Edition) ,
archived from the original on 30 November 2020, retrieved 15 December 2020
^ @sia (7 November 2017).
"The Christmas goodies continue, "Snowman" from Everyday Is Christmas will be out Thursday worldwide. - Team Sia" (
Tweet ). Retrieved 17 December 2020 – via
Twitter .
^ @sia (9 November 2017).
"Move over Frosty ⛄ "Snowman" is here! Stream & download it now: https://fanlink.to/snowman - Team Sia" (
Tweet ). Retrieved 17 December 2020 – via
Twitter .
^
"Sia Unwraps a Special Holiday Performance of 'Snowman' | The Ellen Show on YouTube" .
YouTube .
Archived from the original on 20 November 2021.
^
" "Don't miss Sia performing "Snowman"... | Sia on Twitter" .
^
a
b
c
"Listen to Sia's remix of her 2018 track, 'Snowman' " .
NME . 10 December 2020.
Archived from the original on 10 December 2020. Retrieved 27 December 2020 .
^ Sia.
"Everyday Is Christmas (Snowman Deluxe Edition)" .
Apple Music (US).
Archived from the original on 12 November 2022. Retrieved 5 December 2022 .
^ Camp, Alexa (13 November 2017).
"Review: Sia, Everyday Is Christmas" .
Slant Magazine .
Archived from the original on 23 January 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2020 .
^ Martinelli, Marissa (21 November 2017).
"All the Songs on Sia's New Christmas Album, Ranked" .
Slate .
Archived from the original on 22 May 2019. Retrieved 15 December 2020 .
^ Staff, The Athletic Fantasy Sports.
"Top 100 Christmas songs ranked: Ray Charles ... at No. 1?" . The Athletic .
Archived from the original on 5 February 2021. Retrieved 31 January 2021 .
^ McNeal, Bria (12 December 2023).
"The Best Christmas Songs of All Time" .
Esquire .
Archived from the original on 15 December 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023 .
^ Thompson, Eliza; Truong, Peggy; Igoe, Katherine J; Young, Courtney (1 December 2023).
"The 75 best Christmas songs of all time (you can thank us later)" .
Cosmopolitan .
Archived from the original on 12 December 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023 .
^
"Holiday Digital Song Sales Chart" . Billboard .
Archived from the original on 25 September 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2021 .
^
a
b "
Sia – Snowman" (in German).
GfK Entertainment charts . Retrieved 15 December 2023.
^
a
b "
Sia – Snowman" .
Swiss Singles Chart . Retrieved 10 December 2023.
^
a
b "
Sia – Snowman" (in Dutch).
Single Top 100 . Retrieved 16 December 2023.
^
a
b
"Veckolista Singlar, vecka 51, 2023" (in Swedish).
Sverigetopplistan . Retrieved 23 December 2023 .
^
a
b
"ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart" .
Australian Recording Industry Association . 1 January 2024. Retrieved 29 December 2023 .
^
a
b
"Sia Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)" .
Billboard . Retrieved 3 January 2024.
^
a
b
"Sia Chart History (Global 200)" .
Billboard . Retrieved 3 January 2024.
^
a
b "
Sia: Snowman" (in Finnish).
Musiikkituottajat . Retrieved 28 December 2020.
^
"Suomen Virallinen Lista" . Musiikkituottajat (in Finnish).
Archived from the original on 26 May 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2021 .
^
"Snowman" (in Norwegian).
VG-lista .
Archived from the original on 15 December 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023 .
^ Sutherland, Mark (20 December 2022).
"Jingle bell rock: Festive hits in the streaming era" .
PRS for Music .
Archived from the original on 23 December 2022. Retrieved 23 December 2022 .
^
"Sia - Snowman [Official Video] - YouTube" .
Archived from the original on 15 December 2020. Retrieved 15 December 2020 – via YouTube.
^
"Sia - Snowman (Official Video - Part II) - YouTube" .
Archived from the original on 22 December 2022. Retrieved 23 December 2022 – via YouTube.
^ "
Sia – Snowman" (in German).
Ö3 Austria Top 40 . Retrieved 6 December 2023.
^ "
Sia – Snowman" (in Dutch).
Ultratop 50 . Retrieved 1 January 2024.
^ "
Sia – Snowman" (in French).
Ultratop 50 . Retrieved 31 December 2023.
^
"Sia Chart History (Croatia Songs)" .
Billboard . Retrieved 3 January 2024 .
^
"ARC 100 - Week 52 (25.12.2023.)" .
HRT . 25 December 2023.
Archived from the original on 27 December 2023. Retrieved 28 December 2023 .
^ "
ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 202349 into search . Retrieved 11 December 2023.
^
"Track Top-40 Uge 50, 2023" .
Hitlisten . Retrieved 20 December 2023 .
^
"Top Singles (Week 52, 2023)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 2 January 2024 .
^
"Official IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) - Week 50/2023" .
IFPI Greece . Archived from
the original on 21 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023 .
^
"Sia Chart History (Hong Kong Songs)" .
Billboard . Retrieved 3 January 2024 .
^ "
Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian).
Single (track) Top 40 lista . Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
^ "
Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian).
Stream Top 40 slágerlista . Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
^
"Tónlistinn – Lög" [The Music – Songs] (in Icelandic).
Plötutíðindi . Archived from
the original on 31 December 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2023 .
^
"Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50" .
Official Charts Company . Retrieved 22 December 2023.
^
"Top Singoli – Classifica settimanale WK 52" (in Italian).
Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana .
Archived from the original on 5 February 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2022 .
^
"Mūzikas Patēriņa Tops/ 49. nedēļa" (in English and Latvian).
LAIPA . 10 December 2023. Retrieved 30 January 2024 .
^
"2021 51-os savaitės klausomiausi (TOP 100)" (in Lithuanian).
AGATA . 24 December 2021.
Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 24 December 2021 .
^
"Sia Chart History (Luxembourg Songs)" .
Billboard . Retrieved 27 December 2023 .
^
"#RIMChart Top 20 Most Streamed International + Domestic song Week 52 (18/12/20 - 24/12/20)" .
RIM . 1 January 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2024 – via
Facebook .
^
"NZ Top 40 Singles Chart" .
Recorded Music NZ . 2 January 2023.
Archived from the original on 30 December 2022. Retrieved 31 December 2022 .
^
"VG-lista – Topp 20 Single 2021-49" .
VG-lista .
Archived from the original on 10 December 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2021 .
^
"OLiS – oficjalna lista airplay" (Select week 16.12.2023–22.12.2023.) (in Polish).
OLiS . Retrieved 27 December 2023 .
^
"OLiS – oficjalna lista sprzedaży – single w streamie" (Select week 01.12.2023–07.12.2023.) (in Polish).
OLiS . Retrieved 14 December 2023 .
^ "
Sia – Snowman" .
AFP Top 100 Singles . Retrieved 29 January 2024.
^
"Sia Chart History (Romania Songs)" .
Billboard . Retrieved 27 December 2023 .
^
"RIAS Top Charts Week 52 (22 - 28 Dec 2023)" .
RIAS . Archived from
the original on 3 January 2024. Retrieved 3 January 2024 .
^ "
ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 202350 into search . Retrieved 18 December 2023.
^
"Digital Chart – Week 52 of 2022" .
Circle Chart (in Korean).
Archived from the original on 29 December 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2022 .
^
"Top 100 Canciones – Semana 52: del 22.12.2023 al 28.12.2023" .
Productores de Música de España . Retrieved 7 January 2024 .
^
"This Week's Official UAE Chart Top 20: from 22/12/2023 to 29/12/2023" .
International Federation of the Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 3 January 2024 .
^
"Official Singles Chart Top 100" .
Official Charts Company . Retrieved 8 December 2023.
^
"Sia Chart History: Holiday Digital Songs" . Billboard .
Archived from the original on 15 November 2020. Retrieved 15 December 2020 .
^
"Sia Chart History (Billboard Vietnam Hot 100)" .
Billboard .
Archived from the original on 3 March 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2022 .
^
"Stream Top 100 - darabszám alapján - 2021" (in Hungarian). Mahasz.
Archived from the original on 24 January 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2022 .
^
2021년 Digital Chart [2021 Digital Chart] (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart.
Archived from the original on 7 January 2022. Retrieved 8 January 2022 .
^
"Digital Chart 2022" . Circle Chart .
Archived from the original on 13 January 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2023 .
^
"Single Top 100 - digitális és fizikai értékesítés alapján - 2023" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ.
Archived from the original on 31 January 2024. Retrieved 31 January 2024 .
^
"Digital Chart 2023" .
Circle Chart . Retrieved 12 January 2024 .
^
"Danish single certifications – Sia – Snowman" .
IFPI Danmark . Retrieved 3 January 2023 .
^
"French single certifications – Sia – Snowman" (in French).
Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique . Retrieved 26 February 2024 .
^
"Italian single certifications – Sia – Snowman" (in Italian).
Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana . Retrieved 22 February 2023 .
^
"New Zealand single certifications – Sia – Snowman" .
Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved 28 January 2023 .
^
"OLiS - oficjalna lista wyróżnień" (in Polish).
Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 6 March 2024 . Click "TYTUŁ" and enter Snowman in the search box.
^
"Portuguese single certifications – Sia – Snowman" (PDF) (in Portuguese).
Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa . Retrieved 5 January 2024 .
^
"Spanish single certifications – Sia – Snowman" . El portal de Música .
Productores de Música de España . Retrieved 27 December 2023 .
^
"British single certifications – Sia – Snowman" .
British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 6 January 2023 .
^
"American single certifications – Sia – Snowman" .
Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved 28 October 2022 .
^
"Snowman" .
Archived from the original on 16 March 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2020 – via
Spotify .
^
"Sia – Snowman (Snowed In & Slowed Down TikTok Remix)" .
Archived from the original on 20 December 2020. Retrieved 15 December 2020 – via YouTube.
^ Sia.
"Snowman (Slowed Down & Snowed In Remix) - Single" .
Apple Music (US).
Archived from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 29 October 2021 .