"Glow" is asoulfulcountryChristmas ballad written by Clarkson,Danja,Jason Halbert,Hayley Warner, and Jesse Thomas.[2][3] Produced by Halbert, the song is about the one special person who is missing from an otherwise perfect Christmas.[3] Stapleton, who had previously co-wrote a song for Clarkson on thesoundtrack to the feature filmTrolls World Tour, was invited by Clarkson to record the song with her while recording the album's other tracks withJesse Shatkin.[2] First released on streaming platforms on October 15, 2021, "Glow" was originally scheduled to be sent tocountry radio stations as the second single fromWhen Christmas Comes Around... on October 18, 2021, but its release was ultimately canceled.[4]
In his review of the album, Mike Dewald ofRiff Magazine wrote that Stapleton's vocal performance perfectly complements Clarkson's.[5]Country Now staff also shared the same sentiment.[2] Michael Major ofBroadwayWorld highlighted the track as a "cheerful standout" on the album.[6]
^abcWhen Christmas Comes Around... (booklet). Kelly Clarkson. Atlantic Records. 2021. 864083-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
