The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter shares the festive inspiration behind her hit “Underneath the Tree,” written in record time during a sushi break.
Kelly Clarkson, celebrated for her powerhouse vocals and heartfelt songwriting, recently opened up about the quickest song she’s ever written — and it all happened in the time it took for her sushi order to arrive.
In a light-hearted segment of Ask Kelly Anything, shared on The Kelly Clarkson Show’s YouTube channel on June 12, the 43-year-old talk show host and pop icon responded to a fan’s curious question: Which song from your career did you write the fastest?
Without hesitation, Clarkson replied, “A Christmas song. It was ‘Underneath the Tree.’ I was working with Greg Kurstin in the studio.” Kurstin, the acclaimed music producer behind hits like “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You),” collaborated with Clarkson on her 2013 holiday album Wrapped in Red.
“I ordered sushi, and when it arrived, I had written it,” Clarkson revealed with a laugh. “I think because I really love Christmas, I write them really quickly — because they feel good. You can be a little cheesy, you know? You don’t have to worry about being cool, which honestly, that’s not a concern generally ever — because I’m not,” she quipped.
“Underneath the Tree” quickly became a seasonal staple, peaking at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reigning atop the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart for four weeks. The track also found its way into the all-time Top 25 ASCAP Holiday Songs and ranked No. 1 on ASCAP’s New Classic Holiday Songs list — a testament to its timeless holiday appeal.
Clarkson credited Kurstin’s initial piano demo with setting the foundation for the song. “He sent me home with a little piano thing, and we kind of started — not the idea of it — but just kind of the wall of sound for Christmas,” she said, reflecting on its nostalgic tone. “It’s a really cool sound at Christmas. It feels nostalgic.”
Despite the song’s quick conception, Clarkson admitted that most of her songwriting takes considerably longer. “They don’t all come out like that,” she said. “Usually it takes forever. But that one was quick.”
“Underneath the Tree” continues to sparkle on holiday playlists worldwide, proving that even the quickest bursts of creativity can produce enduring musical magic.
