Singer's Life 'Crazy' After John Lewis Christmas Ad

Singer-songwriter Mel Raeburn described her life as "crazy" after gaining national attention from a John Lewis Christmas advert. In 2024, Raeburn won a competition, leading to her rendition of Richard Ashcroft's "Sonnet" being used as the soundtrack for the Christmas Day advertisement.

Raeburn, 22, who is from Crewe, Cheshire, has since quit her full-time job to focus entirely on her music career. She found the experience surreal, as the John Lewis advert traditionally marks the start of Christmas for her.

Her debut single, "Table For Two," is scheduled for release this Friday. Raeburn expressed excitement about launching her own music after dedicating the last 18 months to refining her "soul-pop vibe" sound. She views the John Lewis advert as a pivotal stepping stone that enabled her to collaborate and create music she genuinely loves, paving the way for her upcoming single.

Raeburn recalled submitting her song via TikTok two years prior to the advert's release and subsequently forgetting about the competition. She was surprised when she learned she was shortlisted, finding the rapid progression of events "crazy." She recorded her version of "Sonnet" at Angel Studios in London, with the entire process from recording to release completed in under two weeks.