O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Skillet song)

"O Come, O Come Emmanuel"
Single by Skillet
ReleasedNovember 14, 2025
GenreChristian rock, symphonic rock, Christian metal, Gospel music, Hymn
Length4:32
LabelHear It Loud
SongwriterJohn Mason Neale
ProducersJohn Cooper, Korey Cooper
Skillet singles chronology
"No Survivors"
(2025)
"O Come, O Come Emmanuel"
(2025)

"O Come, O Come Emmanuel" is a song by the Christian rock band Skillet, covering the Christmas traditional song of the same name. It was released on November 14, 2025. The song received mostly positive reviews, though several critics labelled the song "demonic".[1] The song debuted leading five Billboard charts, both in the United States and internationally, hitting No. 3 on the Digital Song Sales chart.[2]

Background

John Cooper said that the song was conceived due to high fan demand, with both he and Korey Cooper composing it entirely themselves.[3] Prior to the release of the song and accompanying music video, it was first shown to a private audience of families of military veterans in collaboration with YouTube channel Rock Feed.[4]

Reception

The song received mostly positive reviews; critics labelled the track "demonic" due to the heaviness of the latter portion of the song.[1] Despite the criticism, the song debuted leading five Billboard charts, both in the United States and internationally, additionally hitting No. 3 on the Digital Song Sales chart.[2]

Production

Skillet

  • John Cooper – lead vocals, bass guitar, guitar arranger
  • Korey Cooper – rhythm guitar, keyboards, strings, strings arranger, guitar arranger, drum arranger, programming
  • Jen Ledger – drums, vocals
  • Seth Morrison – lead guitar

Additional personnel

  • Chris Marvin – additional vocals
  • Rosalie Marvin – additional vocals

Production

  • John Cooper – producer
  • Korey Cooper – producer, audio engineer, digital editing
  • Nick Rad – mixing, audio engineer, vocal digital editing
  • Steven Servi – mixing, vocal digital editing
  • Mike Cervantes – mastering

Charts

Chart performance for "O Come O Come Emmanuel"
Chart (2025) Peak
position
Canadian Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[2] 12
US Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[5] 3
US Holiday 100 (Billboard)[6] 79
US Hot Christian Songs (Billboard)[7] 12
US Hot Hard Rock Songs (Billboard)[8] 6
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[9] 40

References

  1. ^ a b Cummings, Tony (December 12, 2025). "Tony Cummings reports on a controversy surrounding multi-Platinum metal and rock band SKILLET". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  2. ^ a b c "Skillet's "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" Soars to #1 Across Multiple Billboard Charts". Jesus Freak Hideout. The Media Collective. December 2, 2025. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
  3. ^ "Skillet shares recording of 'O Come, O Come Emmanuel' hymn". KUPD. November 14, 2025. Retrieved January 26, 2026.
  4. ^ Unachi, Sunny (November 21, 2025). "Skillet Drops First-Ever Christmas Track "O Come, O Come Emmanuel". Heart Song Live. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
  5. ^ "Skillet Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 2026-01-26.
  6. ^ "Skillet | Biography, Music, & News". Billboard. Retrieved January 26, 2026.
  7. ^ "Skillet Chart History (Hot Christian Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2026-01-26.
  8. ^ "Skillet Chart History (Hot Hard Rock Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2026-01-26.
  9. ^ "Skillet Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2026-01-26.