Santa Claus Lane

In 2001, Duff gained fame through her starring role in the Disney Channel series Lizzie McGuire.[2] She became interested in pursuing a music career after attending a Radio Disney concert in 2001. "There were all these pop acts backstage at the concert," Duff explained. "They were all getting ready backstage and warming up, and I was like, 'I want to do this so bad.'"[3] One day, Duff met Andre Recke, who would soon become her manager. She told him of her interest in becoming a singer and briefly performed for him. This prompted him to tell her, "I want to work with you."[4] Recke said of his encounter with Duff, "When I met Hilary, I knew she had something special. Sometimes you just have that feeling, that, 'Wow, she's a star.'"[3]

Duff's music career began with two soundtrack appearances. In 2002, she appeared on the soundtrack to Lizzie McGuire, performing a cover of Brooke McClymont's "I Can't Wait", and the Walt Disney Records compilation DisneyMania, performing a cover of "The Tiki Tiki Tiki Room". Recke noted of Duff's DisneyMania appearance, "That was the first test to see how her fans would react to her as a singer and not just an actress".[3] Duff stated that she felt Christmas came early for her when she recorded Santa Claus Lane. She continued, "I really loved singing these songs. It was a lot of hard work, but also big fun!"[5]

"I Heard Santa on the Radio" and "Tell Me a Story" are duets with Christina Milian and Lil' Romeo, respectively, and "Same Old Christmas" features Duff's sister Haylie.[5] Santa Claus Lane features production from Matthew Gerrard, Chris Hamm, Alain Bertoni, Charlie Midnight and Chico Bennett; on the 2003 reissue, the bonus track "What Christmas Should Be" is produced by Charlton Pettus.[5] This song was featured on the end credits and soundtrack of her family comedy film Cheaper by the Dozen (2003).

In a 2013 interview with the website Idolator, Duff expressed her dislike for "Tell Me a Story", saying that she "honestly hate[s] that record — [and she has] blocked it out of [her] memory". Duff also remarked that she "[didn't] even remember" the song.[6]

Santa Claus Lane was released in the United States on October 15, 2002 by Walt Disney Records.[7] It was reissued on October 14 of the following year with the bonus track "What Christmas Should Be", and released by Buena Vista Records.[8]

Two singles were released from the album simultaneously on December 2, 2002.[1] "Santa Claus Lane" was sent to pop radio stations, while "Tell Me a Story" was sent to rhythmic and urban radio stations. A music video for "Santa Claus Lane", featuring Duff performing on Disney's Movie Surfers to promote the film The Santa Clause 2, received airplay on Disney Channel. Duff filmed a music video for "Tell Me a Story" with Lil' Romeo which also received heavy rotation on Disney Channel.

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[9]
The Daily Vault	B−[10]

Santa Claus Lane received mixed reviews from music critics. An AllMusic editor gave the album three out of five stars.[9] Jaan Uhelszki, in an editorial review for Amazon.com, gave Santa Claus Lane a negative review. She wrote the album, consisting mostly of Christmas covers, "add[s] little to the holiday music canon".[7] She also felt that it only "perks up" on songs that feature guest musicians.[7] Kelefa Sanneh of The New York Times joked it was a "concept album" which was "loosely inspired by Saint Nicholas, the fourth-century bishop of Myra."[11] Christopher Thelen gave a more positive review to the album. While writing for the Daily Vault, Thelen gave a B− grade and wrote it "does show there is a voice behind the pretty young face, even if this is a strange place to start one's recording career."[10]

Santa Claus Lane debuted at number 154 on the Billboard 200,[12] it also peaked in the top 5 at number 2 and 5 respectively on both the Top Heatseekers and Top Holiday Albums charts.[13][14] On December 9, 2003, the album was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America for 500,000 shipments to retailers.[15] The album reached the 134th position of the Japanese Albums Chart in 2004.[16] As of July 27, 2014, the album had sold 477,000 copies in the United States.[17]

Notes

• ^{^a} signifies a co-producer

Credits for Santa Claus Lane adapted from AllMusic.[18]