Welcome to a special holiday edition of Music Friday when we bring you great songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Today, Kelly Clarkson sings about the glittery items on her Christmas wish list in the 2013 favorite “4 Carats.”
In this tune penned by Clarkson and three collaborators, the “Original American Idol” temporarily casts aside her squeaky clean image and implores Santa to make her Christmas Eve, "4 carats, please."
She proclaims that she’s been good all year and deserves a “shiny” gift. Specifically, she has her heart set on a canary yellow diamond or red ruby. And, yes, size matters. The baubles have to weigh in at 4 carats.
In the catchy refrain, she sings, “Like a diamond ring / Just a little something from Tiffany’s / Or a big ruby / You know red has always looked good on me.”
Later in the song, as the clock strikes 2 in the morning, Clarkson is concerned that Santa may have forgotten her.
This is when she coos about fancy yellow diamonds: “Mm, something sparkly / Yellow canaries / Ooh yea yea / Mm, I’m waiting patiently / Santa don’t forget me / Ooh don’t forget me!”
Clarkson told Billboard magazine that “4 Carats” was inspired by Eartha Kitt’s “Santa Baby” (1953) and Madonna’s “Material Girl” (1984). The end result was a mashup of the two. Music critics generally praised the song for its memorable pop hook and bouncy melody.
“4 Carats” appeared as the 12th track on Clarkson’s popular Wrapped in Red Christmas album, which was certified platinum after selling more than one million copies. The album peaked at #3 on the US Billboard 200 chart and the single reached #30 on Billboard's Holiday Digital Songs chart.
Born in Ft. Worth, TX, in 1982, Kelly Brianne Clarkson rose to fame in 2002 after winning the inaugural season of American Idol. In a career spanning 20 years, Clarkson has sold 25 million albums and 45 million singles worldwide, making her the second-best-selling American Idol contestant to date, just behind Carrie Underwood.
Clarkson served as a coach on The Voice from its 14th season ( February 2018) to its 21st season ( September 2021). She's expected to return for Season 23 (March 2023). She also has hosted her own daytime talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, since September of 2019.
Please check out the audio track of Clarkson’s “4 Carats.” The lyrics are below if you’d like to sing along…
“4 Carats”
Written by Kelly Clarkson, Cathy Dennis, Livvi Franc and Gregory Kurstin. Performed by Kelly Clarkson.
The door’s unlocked
And you don’t even have to knock
Or you can use the fireplace
I’ll be waiting either way
You come and go
And no one is supposed to know
But ever since you caught my stare
You know I know that you are real
Well Santa I’ve been thinking
And I’m just in needin’ one thing
You to bring me, something shiny
Like a diamond ring
Just a little something from Tiffany’s
Or a big ruby
You know red has always looked good on me
I won’t tell (I won’t tell) anyone
Anyone
I’ve been good all year long
Oh Santa make my Christmas Eve
4 carats please
Oh oh
Oh
It’s getting late
I know you have your rounds to make
But I’ve been waiting up for you
And now the clock has just struck 2
I’m looking out my windows
Looking for a red nose
My heart’s sinking
Don’t forget me
Oh my diamond ring
Just a little something from Tiffany’s
Or a big ruby
You know red has always looked good on me
I won’t tell (I won’t tell) anyone
Anyone
I’ve been good all year long
Oh Santa make my Christmas Eve
4 carats please
Oh oh
Oh oh
Mm, something sparkly
Yellow canaries
Ooh yea yea
Mm, I’m waiting patiently
Santa don’t forget me
Ooh don’t forget me!
Oh my diamond ring
Just a little something from Tiffany’s
Or a big ruby
You know red has always looked good on me
I won’t tell (I won’t tell) anyone
Anyone
I’ve been good all year long
Oh Santa make my Christmas Eve
4 carats please
Oh oh
Oh oh
Oh oh
Oh oh
Credit: Photo by Marc Piscotty, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
