Fans of Olivia Rodrigo and Jacob Collier were treated to an early holiday surprise with a stunning a cappella cover of the Christmas classic “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” The duo shared the enchanting performance in a video posted by Collier on December 8, where Rodrigo opened by playfully greeting Collier with a hand heart.
Rodrigo then delivered a delicate and pitch-perfect interpretation of the timeless song originally popularized by Bing Crosby in the 1940s. The cover showcased the duo’s exceptional synergy, featuring layered harmonies created by the English musical virtuoso. Their rendition stands out, especially considering that the song has made a recent resurgence, hitting No. 50 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2021.
In the video, the two harmonize beautifully with lyrics expressing longing for home during the holiday season, evoking a sense of nostalgia: “I’ll be home for Christmas/ You can plan on me/ Please have snow and mistletoe/ And presents under the tree.”
Collier captioned the post with a festive touch, writing, “I’ll Be Home For Christmas with my dear friend @oliviarodrigo,” complemented by a Christmas tree emoji. The response from fans was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing their admiration for the seamless blending of their voices. Notably, Rodrigo’s long-time idol, Sheryl Crow, chimed in, exclaiming in the comments, “Ok MIND BLOWN,” further highlighting the impact of their performance.
Rodrigo has often expressed her admiration for Crow, notably during the Billboard Women in Music Awards in 2022, when Crow presented Rodrigo with the prestigious Woman of the Year award. In her acceptance speech, Rodrigo conveyed her deep appreciation for Crow’s songwriting, stating, “I am such a massive fan of you and your songwriting and I’m so grateful that you’re here.”
In a show of reciprocity, Rodrigo honored Crow by inducting her into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2023. Reflecting on the experience, Rodrigo shared, “It was an honor to join Sheryl on stage. She’s equally as kind as she is talented and I feel so lucky that I was able to be part of celebrating such a legend.”
Crow has also praised Rodrigo, emphasizing her authenticity and songwriting skills during an appearance on The Tonight Show in 2023. Crow remarked, “She seems kinda unaffected by all of it, you know? When I was 19 — her age — I was like, ‘How do you fill out this application for college?!’”
Fans can now enjoy the magic of Rodrigo and Collier’s rendition of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” bringing festive cheer and an unforgettable musical experience just in time for the holiday season.
