When she agreed to participate in Carols Covered—Apple Music’s collection of Christmas standards updated by contemporary artists—Tate McRae knew it would pose a challenge. “I feel like I couldn't recreate a classic Christmas song,” she told Apple Music. “I just wanted to put my own spin on it and have an updated version that my fans can love and appreciate for the holiday season.” McRae says that her version of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” was inspired by the feelings she inevitably gets every holiday season and wanting to pay those forward. “This song reminds me of warmth and movies and everything I love about the holidays,” she says. “Being with your friends and family. I wanted to try and recreate that with my own rendition.”