Taylor Momsen Takes Christmas Song She Sang as Child in Grinch Movie to #1 on Rock Chart
Admittedly, seeing child stars grow up can be often a mixed bag. But every once in a while, you get a transformation that feels so correct, so inevitable, that you can’t imagine the universe working any other way. That is exactly what is happening right now with Taylor Momsen. Her band, The Pretty Reckless, covered a certain holiday classic that has been gathering dust in the “nostalgia” corner of our brains for twenty-five years.
Cindy Lou Who Sings “Where Are You Christmas?”
If you were alive in the year 2000, you may remember Cindy Lou Who. You remember the braids, the button nose and the sweet, innocent rendition of “Where Are You Christmas?” in “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” It was cute. It was heartwarming. It was safe. Well, forget that safety. Momsen just took that memory, doused it in gasoline and lit a match, and you know what? It’s exactly the blues-influenced holiday energy we need right now.
Taylor Momsen and The Pretty Reckless Top the Charts
It’s official: the “Gossip Girl” era is ancient history. The Pretty Reckless has just landed a massive W by hitting No. 1 on Jan. 3, 2026 “Billboard Hot Hard Rock Songs” chart. The track? A re-recorded, fully electrified version of “Where Are You Christmas?” which appears on their new EP, “Taylor Momsen’s Pretty Reckless Christmas.”
This isn’t just a novelty win. It’s a testament to how hard this band has been grinding. Since the album “Death by Rock and Roll” debuted at No. 1 on the “Billboard Album Sales” chart back in 2021, the band has been on a total tear, proving they aren’t just a celebrity vanity project. They are a legitimate force in modern rock. Seeing a holiday cover — specifically this holiday cover — top a Hard Rock chart is the kind of full-circle moment that scriptwriters dream of, but rarely execute this well.
Taylor Momsen’s Gritty Reinvention of a Holiday Classic
Musically, this isn’t a lazy cover. Faith Hill’s version from the original soundtrack was a polished, radio-friendly pop ballad. Momsen’s 2025 update is a different beast entirely. It opens with a snippet of her childhood recording — a stroke of genius and a little emotional manipulation. Then the guitars kick in.
The result is jarring, but in the best way possible. Momsen’s vocals have evolved from that innocent child soprano into a smoky, gritty powerhouse that sounds like it’s seen some things. When she belts out, “Why can’t I find you?” now, it doesn’t seem like a kid who is missing a holiday; it sounds like someone who could be grappling with lost time and possibly disillusionment.
This is why The Pretty Reckless’ rendition works so well. They understand that rock isn’t just about noise; it’s about channeling emotion that is too messy for pop music. The holidays aren’t always a Hallmark movie. For a lot of us, they are heavy, complicated, and sometimes a little dark. By leaning into the angst rather than shying away from it, Momsen has turned a saccharine ballad into a genuine anthem for the seasonal blues.
The Pretty Reckless Are Here to Stay
The new EP dropped on Halloween (because of course it did), and aside from the Grinch anthem, it features tracks like “Christmas Is Killing Me” and “I Wanna Be Your Christmas Tree.” It’s both electrifying and nostalgic. According to Momsen, it wasn’t even the original plan. She admitted in a statement to Billboard that the project started as one song but “took on a life of its own” in the studio.
That “life of its own” quality is what separates them from the pack. The Pretty Reckless didn’t just phone in a Christmas album for some quick cash. They built a “whole world” around the concept, creating a body of work that feels personal and raw.
So, if you’re tired of hearing the same five bubbly jingles at the mall, do yourself a favor. Stream the new EP. Let adult Cindy Lou Who scream her lungs out. It might just be the most cathartic thing you do this whole season.
