"I have always been tempted to do a Christmas album," said Rod Stewart. "And now that I once again have young children, the timing couldn't be better. Additionally, Merry Christmas, Baby gave me a chance to reunite with David Foster.” Added Foster, “And I’m thrilled that this is the first project for both of us on Verve.”
Rod Stewart confirms that it is an album consists of standards and traditional songs which includes number of -list guests, starting with Michael BublĂ©, who duets with Rod on Winter Wonderland. We Three Kings is a duet with Mary J. Blige; and the title tune Merry Christmas, Baby is a duet with Cee-Lo Green featuring New Orleans’ favorite son, Trombone Shorty. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! features Dave Koz on saxophone and What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve? is a very special ‘virtual’ duet with Ella Fitzgerald featuring Chris Botti.
The balance of the tunes on Merry Christmas, Baby comprise Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, Blue Christmas, When You Wish Upon A Star, Silent Night, and Auld Lang Syne. The album’s one original track, Red-Suited Super Man, is composed by Rod Stewart, David Foster and Amy Foster and features Trombone Shorty.