Elton John and CMAT Give Step Into Christmas a New Duet

Elton John's Step Into Christmas has a new voice on it. The Irish singer CMAT joins him on a reimagined version of the 1973 festive favourite, released on 5 November as an Amazon Music Original and streaming exclusively there now.

Elton had been teasing it. An Instagram clip of a Christmas tree topped with a red-headed angel came with the caption "Stepping into Christmas with a special person this year…any guesses?" Fans settled on CMAT, who had just dressed as Elton for Halloween.

The new version keeps the lively rock 'n' roll rhythm and singalong chorus of a song that began life as Elton's thank-you to his fans. The old recording is still there underneath, with new strings and CMAT's vocals layered on top, and EMI and AWAL are releasing it.

For Elton, CMAT is a kindred spirit: "She has this incredible personality, and a wicked sense of humour. You can tell she has Rock n Roll and Country and Americana at the heart of what she does."

For CMAT, an Ivor Novello winner and BRIT Award nominee, it is personal. Whenever she listens to Elton John, she is still seven years old in the back of her mam's car. Getting to work with him has been, she says, "confusing to say the least, but the greatest joy of my life". Christmas is her "absolute favourite thing in the world, second maybe only to Elton John."

Laura Lukanz, head of Amazon Music UK, calls Step Into Christmas "one of those songs that instantly transports you".

It follows Kylie Minogue's XMAS, last year's Amazon Music Original, which became the UK Christmas No. 1. The original Step Into Christmas climbed to No. 7 on the UK singles chart last Christmas, and the new version now joins this year's race for the top spot.