Walker Hayes Turns His Viral Hit ‘Fancy Like’ Into Festive Holiday Anthem, ‘Fancy Like Christmas’

The tune is paired with a brand-new music video featuring Hayes and his family celebrating the joyful season.

By

Madeleine O’Connell

| Posted on

November 30, 2023

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1:57 pm

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Walker Hayes; Photo Courtesy YouTube

Walker Hayes is leaving his mark on this holiday season with the release of “Fancy Like Christmas,” a festive new take on his viral hit “Fancy Like.” 

With the addition of jingle bells and a slight change in lyrics, Hayes delivers the ultimate holiday anthem that also comes with a just-released music video. The country star had a bit of help from his wife, Laney, and their six kids who all dressed in their Christmas best to amplify the song’s joyful spirit with a red and green themed video.

His Family Co-Stars In The Video

Throughout the upbeat video in partnership with JCPenny and Elmhurst Dairy, viewers are greeted with tons of warmth, and hilarious moments as Hayes and his family decorate the front yard, enjoy some egg nog and fruit cake and dance it out in front of the brightly-lit tree.

Lela Hayes, Walker Hayes; Photo Courtesy of YouTube
Lela Hayes, Walker Hayes; Photo Courtesy of YouTube

“There was no fun had when we made this video… “ Hayes joked while promoting the video in a clip on Instagram

The song itself joyfully displays many of the beloved traditions that only come around once a year like kissing under the mistletoe, singing along to Mariah Carey classics, sporting matching family PJs, watching the film Home Alone, and more. 

“Fancy Like Christmas”

YouTube video

Even though the lyrics have been greatly altered from the original version of his smash hit, the Mobile, Alabama native had to hold onto the signature Applebee’s line. However, in this version, he puts a festive spin on it. Instead of having date night at the chain restaurant, he sings about Santa gifting an Applebee’s gift card.

“Yeah, we fancy like Christmas round a fake tree (Fake tree) / Nutcracker on the mantle (Aye), and a candy cane candle / Getcha eggnog, witcha fruit cake (Witcha fruit cake) / Go Jesus (Go Jesus), it’s your birthday / Bougie like blowups in the front yard (Front yard) / Hopin’ Santa gonna leave an Applebees’s gift card / In my stocking even though we gettin’ naughty all night (Hey) / That’s how we do, how we do, fancy like,” Hayes sings on the festive chorus. 

Walker Hayes - Fancy Like Christmas
Walker Hayes – Fancy Like Christmas

Made Its Debut On The Charts

According to U.S. Radio Updater, “Fancy Like Christmas” is already becoming a fan-favorite as it has risen to the Top 50 on US AC Radio (Mediabase). Hayes admits he had a lot of fun re-creating this tune and based off the fact that it’s climbing up the charts, it’s safe to assume many of his fans are also having plenty of fun listening to the catchy tune.

Speaking of the new single, Hayes says, “This is the most excited I’ve been about a song in a long time. From the moment this idea came about, it was off to the races. I’ve never re written a song before and I think this was the most fun I’ve ever had writing any song.”

“Fancy Like Christmas,” follows Hayes’ most recent 8-song collection, titled New Money, which features his current radio single “Good With Me.” Upon impacting airwaves, the track became the No. 1 most added song at Country Radio with 50 first-week stations. 

Walker Hayes; Photo by Robert Chavers
Walker Hayes; Photo by Robert Chavers

Co-written by Hayes with Scott Stepakoff and Shane McAnally, “Good With Me” serves as another example of the fact that the country star isn’t afraid to speak his mind within his music, however, he also makes a point to embrace the happiness that comes his way through moments with his family, being out on the road with fans, etc. 

The remainder of the project pays tribute his wife, Laney with various messages of love and heartfelt promises, and in the very final track, he honors his daughters’ hero, “Taylor Swift.” 

Walker Hayes wrapped his most recent headlining arena tour, The Duck Buck Tour, in Sterling Heights, MI on August 5. This marked his second arena tour in two years, following the Glad You’re Here tour last fall. 

Hayes has a few upcoming performances scheduled across December, including stops in Lexington, KY on December 5, Louisville, KY on December 6 and Baltimore, MD on December 13. 

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Madeleine O’Connell graduated from North Central College with a bachelors degree in Journalism and Broadcast Communications before deciding to pursue her studies further at DePaul University. There, she earned her masters degree in Digital Communication & Media Arts. O’Connell served as a freelance writer for over two years while also interning with the Academy of Country Music, SiriusXM and Circle Media and assisting with Amazon Music’s Country Heat Weekly podcast. In addition to Country Now, she has been published in American Songwriter, Music Mayhem, and Holler.Country. Madeleine O’Connell is a member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.