The Harmonic Anatomy of Christmas with Charlie Puth
Tue Dec 30 2025
In this Billboard podcast interview, Charlie Puth joins host Kristen Robinson to explore the musical theory and business behind holiday hits. Puth identifies specific chromatic chord progressions, jazz-influenced melodies, and the use of sleigh bells as the essential elements that define the "Christmas sound." The discussion highlights how the streaming era has turned holiday music into a massive annual industry, allowing older classics to dominate the charts every December. Puth also shares his personal affinity for R&B Christmas tracks and details the rapid, hour-long writing process behind his own festive single. Beyond seasonal music, he reflects on his upcoming album, which emphasizes human vulnerability and organic production over AI-generated perfection. The conversation concludes with a look at the evolving music industry, focusing on the shift from professional pitch-writing to artists crafting cohesive, personal bodies of work.
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In this Billboard podcast interview, Charlie Puth joins host Kristen Robinson to explore the musical theory and business behind holiday hits. Puth identifies specific chromatic chord progressions, jazz-influenced melodies, and the use of sleigh bells as the essential elements that define the "Christmas sound." The discussion highlights how the streaming era has turned holiday music into a massive annual industry, allowing older classics to dominate the charts every December. Puth also shares his personal affinity for R&B Christmas tracks and details the rapid, hour-long writing process behind his own festive single. Beyond seasonal music, he reflects on his upcoming album, which emphasizes human vulnerability and organic production over AI-generated perfection. The conversation concludes with a look at the evolving music industry, focusing on the shift from professional pitch-writing to artists crafting cohesive, personal bodies of work.