Let’s be real for a second. When Lil Nas X dropped "HOLIDAY" in late 2020, people were expecting a cozy, "chestnuts roasting on an open fire" kind of vibe. What they got instead was a futuristic, silver-painted Santa Claus bragging about his bank account and his sexual prowess over a Tay Keith beat. It was jarring. It was loud. And honestly? It was exactly what he needed to do to prove he wasn't just the "Old Town Road" guy.
But here is the thing: if you actually look at the holiday lil nas x lyrics, you’ll realize it isn't really a Christmas song at all. It’s a victory lap disguised as a jingle. It’s a middle finger to everyone who called him a one-hit wonder.
The "Gimmick" and the Horse
One of the most telling lines in the song comes right at the start of the second verse: “Man, I snuck into the game, came in on a horse / I pulled a gimmick, I admit it, I got no remorse.” Most artists would spend their entire careers trying to convince you they are "serious" musicians. Not Montero. He lean into the "gimmick" label. He’s acknowledging that "Old Town Road" was a viral anomaly, but he’s also reminding you that he’s the one who kicked the door down. He didn't wait for an invite. He just showed up.
The lyrics are filled with this weird, fascinating mix of extreme confidence and a slight hint of paranoia. Take the line: “I can't even close my eyes / And I don't know why, guess I don't like surprises.” When you’re at the top of the world after one song, you’re always waiting for the floor to drop out.
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Breaking Down the "Hoes on Hoes" Controversy
You can't talk about this track without mentioning the chorus. “Ayy, it's a holiday / I got hoes on hoes and they out of control.” When the song first hit the airwaves, a lot of people—mostly on conservative Twitter—lost their minds. They saw a "Christmas" song using that kind of language and threw a fit. But if you listen to Nas explain the song in his Genius Verified interview, he’s basically just using the tropes of trap music to assert his dominance in a space that hasn't always been welcoming to queer Black men.
He’s playing a character. Specifically, a futuristic, robotic Santa who is way more interested in "popping shit" than delivering coal.
Why the Michael Jackson Reference Matters
In the pre-chorus, he drops a line that raised some eyebrows: “Hee-hee, I'm bad as Michael Jackson.” Is he saying he’s as big as MJ? Maybe. But it’s more about the "Bad" era aesthetic. He’s leaning into that untouchable pop-star energy. He even follows it up with “Poppin' up in movies, ain't no Nasy, bitch, it's Ashton,” a nod to Ashton Kutcher and the idea that he’s constantly pulling a fast one on the public. He likes the spectacle. He lives for the "Punk'd" moment where the audience realizes they've been played.
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The Production: Take a Daytrip and Tay Keith
The sound of "HOLIDAY" is a weird hybrid. You’ve got Tay Keith—the guy responsible for Travis Scott’s "Sicko Mode"—bringing that heavy, Memphis-inspired bass. Then you have Take a Daytrip adding these bright, almost toy-like synth textures.
It sounds like a factory. Specifically, the futuristic toy factory seen in the music video. The lyrics match this industrial, cold-but-expensive vibe.
- Release Date: November 13, 2020
- Producers: Tay Keith, Take a Daytrip
- Key Lyric: "Even if I started flopping, there'd be fashion."
- Vibe: 2220 Cyberpunk Christmas
What Most People Miss About the "Bottom" Line
There is a specific line in the first verse that flew over a lot of people's heads, or at least the ones who don't follow Lil Nas X’s very online persona. “I might bottom on the low, but I top shit.” This is Lil Nas X being unapologetically himself. It’s a double entendre. He’s talking about sexual roles while simultaneously saying that even if he’s "low" in one context, he’s still at the top of the charts. It’s a level of lyrical transparency that you just don't see in mainstream rap very often, especially not in a song that was marketed with a Michael J. Fox Back to the Future cameo.
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Is "HOLIDAY" Still Relevant?
By the time 2026 rolled around, we started seeing "HOLIDAY" pop up on seasonal playlists next to Mariah Carey and Wham!. It’s a weird fit, sure. But it’s becoming a bit of a cult classic for people who are tired of the same three carols.
The song served its purpose. It acted as the "stopgap" single between his initial viral fame and the cultural earthquake that was MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name). It proved he could handle a big budget, a high-concept video, and a controversial lyrical stance without folding.
If you're looking to really understand the holiday lil nas x lyrics, don't look for the Christmas spirit. Look for the "I’m here to stay" spirit. He’s telling us that he doesn't need the charts (even though he's on them) because he has already become a fixture in the culture.
Next Steps for Music Fans:
Check out the official "HOLIDAY" music video again, but pay close attention to the background characters. Many of the "robots" are actually Lil Nas X in different costumes, mirroring the lyrical theme of him being a "one-man army" in the industry. You can also compare the aggressive bravado in this track to the more vulnerable lyrics on his later Montero album to see how his songwriting evolved from "defensive" to "expressive."