Robbie Williams Hails Olivia Rodrigo Christmas Song
The singer tagged Rodrigo on X as listeners drew comparisons between her new single and his 2012 hit Candy.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Holiday Music
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Robbie Williams tagged Olivia Rodrigo on X wishing her a happy Christmas, after listeners compared her single Take Me Home (4 Christmas) to his 2012 song Candy. The comparisons came alongside links to The Waitresses' 1981 song Christmas Wrapping.
Why it matters
The exchange highlights how holiday songs often draw on earlier hits and how artists acknowledge those influences. Rodrigo's single is intended as a homage to Christmas Wrapping, according to the available details.
Candy, released in 2012 and co-written by Robbie Williams and Gary Barlow, interpolates Eurodans by Terje Olsen and is his second biggest hit after Angels. Christmas Wrapping, released by The Waitresses in 1981, is the earlier song that Take Me Home (4 Christmas) is described as paying homage to.
The players
Robbie Williams
British singer and former Take That member known for hits including Angels and Candy.
Olivia Rodrigo
American singer-songwriter known for her chart-topping albums and her single Take Me Home (4 Christmas).
Chris Butler
Songwriter behind The Waitresses' 1981 holiday song Christmas Wrapping, who initially thought Rodrigo's email was fake.
The details
Robbie Williams posted on X tagging Olivia Rodrigo and wishing her a happy Christmas. Rodrigo's single Take Me Home (4 Christmas), which features a music video starring Cynthia Nixon, was credited to Rodrigo, Amy Allen and Dan Nigro, and listeners heard echoes of both Candy and Christmas Wrapping in it.
Timeline
1981: The Waitresses release Christmas Wrapping.
2012: Robbie Williams releases Candy.
About two months before release: Olivia Rodrigo emails Christmas Wrapping writer Chris Butler about her song.
November 7, 2026: Robbie Williams tags Olivia Rodrigo on X.
Big Picture
Rodrigo's single extends a tradition of pop artists revisiting the 1981 holiday track Christmas Wrapping, which listeners now hear in her new release alongside Robbie Williams' 2012 Candy. The pairing shows how new seasonal songs often rework established catalogs rather than starting from scratch.
Listeners can stream Take Me Home (4 Christmas) now, and its music video featuring Cynthia Nixon is available alongside the single. Fans who want to hear the older songs referenced can find Candy and Christmas Wrapping on major streaming platforms.
The takeaway
Holiday songs often grow out of earlier hits, and artists increasingly acknowledge those roots openly. Listeners curious about the sources can compare the new single with Candy and Christmas Wrapping directly.
Further reading
For more on seasonal releases, explore Holiday Music coverage on Wisevoter.
Live Poll
Do you think it is fair for new songs to borrow melodies from older hits?
