Step Into Christmas: Elton John Unveils New Christmas EP With Rare Track

Last month, Elton John ushered in the holiday season when he partnered with retailer John Lewis for an emotional commercial about the gift of music. Now, he’s released a Christmas EP called Step Into Christmas. The yuletide gift for his fans puts the spotlight on a certified Christmas classic.

The three-track EP includes “Step Into Christmas,” the classic track that reached No. 24 in the UK at the end of 1973 and topped the Billboard Christmas singles chart. The original B-side, “Ho! Ho! Ho! (Who’d Be A Turkey At Christmas)” is also part of the festivities. But the most unexpected gift is the appearance of a previously unreleased 1973 performance of “Step Into Christmas” from The Gilbert O’Sullivan Show. The footage was lost in the ITV archives until it was unearthed recently.

The video clip, which has also been released on digital video services and can be seen below, shows Elton and his band of Davey Johnstone on guitar, Dee Murray on bass, and Nigel Olsson on drums performing the song. On bells is Elton’s songwriting partner, Bernie Taupin, who joined along for the cheerful occasion. Check out the video below!

So step into the season with Elton and the band. The three-track EP is available now on digital download and streaming services!

Elton John, Step Into Christmas (Universal, 2018)

Step Into Christmas
Ho! Ho! Ho! (Who’d Be A Turkey At Christmas)
Step Into Christmas – 1973 Gilbert O’Sullivan Show Version

Sam Stone

Sam Stone has been obsessed with catalog music ever since his folks gave him a Contours best-of collection for his fourth birthday. He quickly began to learn all he could about rock and roll history and beyond, a passion that continues to this day.

Sam followed his love for music to the classroom, earning a B.A. from Towson University in Electronic Media and Film, concentrating on radio and audio production, as well as an M.A. in Audio Arts from Syracuse University. He has put his knowledge and skills to work at prominent reissue labels and is excited to bring his perspectives on catalog music to a broader audience. When he’s not writing for The Second Disc, Sam can be found researching about music, talking about Joni Mitchell’s career, and adding another box set to his Amazon wish list.

4 thoughts on “Step Into Christmas: Elton John Unveils New Christmas EP With Rare Track”

John Manning
December 8, 2018 at 4:14 am

Wonder what else has been turned up in the ITV vault?

Reply
1. Mark Phillips
  December 11, 2018 at 7:03 pm
  
  You should follow the kaleidoscope group on Facebook. They find lost tv shows and twice a year at the bfi in London present Missing Believed Wiped where they showcase lost tv that’s been returned to the archives.
  
  Obviously the biggest news from them in recent years was the discovery of two missing Dr Who serials from the late 60s, but they’ve also shown Cilla Black’s final episode of her first TV series on BBC 1, where she’s so choked up crying at the end she can’t sing.
  
  They also recovered some lost Top of the Pops footage kept by a bbc cameraman including Bowie’s long lost Starman.
  
  Their next event is this Saturday 15th December at the NFT on the south bank. I shall be there!
  
  Reply
Bradford Harvey
December 12, 2018 at 11:14 pm

Tried watching the Elton John clip but it apparently is not available in the U.S.

Reply
1. Sam Stone
  December 13, 2018 at 1:05 pm
  
  Hi Bradford,
  
  Here’s the direct link for you. Hopefully that will work.
  
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWMqfKjJoKc
  
  Reply