Background and release Stefani released her fourth studio album,
You Make It Feel Like Christmas through
Interscope Records, on October 6, 2017, a collection of six original songs and six cover versions of
Christmas standards. The album was preceded by the release of
lead single "
You Make It Feel Like Christmas", a duet with her boyfriend, American singer
Blake Shelton. According to Stefani, the album's initial release generated a positive response, allowing her to return to the studio with collaborators
busbee and
Justin Tranter. The following year,
You Make It Feel Like Christmas was reissued with five new bonus tracks and a proper music video for the title track was released. In 2019, Stefani duetted with Shelton again on "
Nobody but You", a new track recorded for his compilation album, ''
Fully Loaded: God's Country. The song was released as a single and distributed to US country radio outlets on January 21, 2020. It became a hit, topping Billboard''s
Country Airplay and
Digital Songs charts and becoming Stefani's highest-charting effort on the
Billboard Hot 100 since 2007. In late 2020, rumors of new solo music from Stefani circulated after it was announced she would be returning as a judge to the American television series
The Voice. Stefani then confirmed plans to release new music during a promotional advertisement made for the show. Her cover of "Sleigh Ride" was announced as a surprise to her fans on October 12, 2020, the day before its scheduled release. It is expected to appear as the eighteenth track on an upcoming reissue of
You Make It Feel Like Christmas, due for release later in 2020. "Sleigh Ride" was produced by American musicians
Brent Kutzle and Brandon Collins. Stefani's cover of "Sleigh Ride" credits Anderson and Parish as composers. The song was released to music retailers for
digital download and
streaming on October 13, 2020, through Interscope Records. It serves as first solo release since the rest of
You Make It Feel Like Christmas. Alongside the release of "Sleigh Ride", Stefani teased that there was "more to come" the following week.
Composition Stefani's version of "Sleigh Ride" has been described as a
holiday-themed song with a "lushly" arranged orchestra. American musician
Ryan Tedder contributes as a vocal producer of the song, and Stefani is accompanied by American singer Laura Cooksey for background vocals.
Critical reception Sophie Smith from the entertainment website
uDiscover Music was positive about Stefani's cover, calling it a "cheery" and "festive" new track. A contributor to
WSRW felt that Stefani got "in the holiday spirit" with her cover, but felt that it was released too early before the holiday season.
Credits and personnel Credits adapted from
AllMusic. • Gwen Stefaniprimary artist • Brandon Collinsproducer, strings contractor • Brent Kutzleproducer, keyboards • Leroy Andersoncomposer • Mitchell Parishcomposer • Ryan Teddervocal producer • John Nathanielvocal producer, mixing • Grant Pittmanengineer, keyboards • Doug Sarrettengineer • Tyler Spryengineer • Mike Wilsonengineer • Chris Gehringermastering engineer • Laura Cookseybackground vocals • Luke Sullivantacoustic guitar, electric guitar • Matt Meltonbass • Paul Nelsoncello • Jon Hyrkasdrums • Betsy Lambviola, violin • David Angellviolin • David Davidsonviolin
Charts Release history ==Other notable recordings==