Justin Bieber has teamed up with an NHS choir on his new Christmas song

In a bid to secure Christmas number one on 25 December, pop sensation Justin Bieber has teamed up with an NHS choir to re-record his 2020 track ‘Holy’. Lewisham and Greenwich NHS choir nabbed the Christmas top spot from the Canadian singer in 2015. But this year, there is less competition and more collaboration between the rival artists. So what’s the song about and where will the proceeds go? Here is what you need to know. Why has Justin Bieber teamed up with an NHS choir? In 2015, Bieber's single ‘Love Yourself’ missed out on the top spot when Lewisham and Greenwich NHS choir’s entry, ‘A Bridge Over You’ pipped him to the post. The ‘Sorry’ singer had encouraged fans in 2015 to “do the right thing” and download the choir’s song instead of his own. The pop star had previously released a cover of Brenda Lee's ‘Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree’ to compete for number one in 2020. However, he has since reached out to the choir to team up with them after commenting that he was “in awe” of the work health care workers have carried out during the Covid pandemic. Choir leader and children’s community physiotherapist, Caroline Smith told The Independent that she wasn’t sure if it was real when Bieber’s team reached out to ask the choir to team up with him. She said: “People haven’t had much time to think about anything else outside of work, so to get an opportunity like this was lovely.” Meanwhile, Bieber has told of how he is “humbled” by the opportunity. He said: “It's great to be reunited with the Lewisham and Greenwich NHS choir, as we share a fun bit of UK chart history together. "Especially in these difficult times, I'm humbled to team up with them for a charity single that will benefit NHS workers on the frontlines of this pandemic and pay tribute to their unbelievable dedication." Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Bieber and the choir did not record together but he had previously presented them with their trophy for securing number one in 2015. What is the song about? Bieber released the original version of Holy in September. Featuring Chance The Rapper, it makes reference to his Christian faith and wife, Hailey Baldwin. The singer has spoken openly about his relationship with God and how it has allowed him to become a more positive person. In an Instagram post last year, he said: “I'm grateful I can walk with Jesus as he leads the way". ‘Holy’ likens the love he feels for his wife to the love he has for God. The new re-recorded version with the choir not been released yet, but it is about having faith and helping to support one another, according to Ms Smith of the choir. When will the song be released and where will proceeds go? The single will be released on 18 December 2020, and all proceeds will be split between NHS Charities Together, which provides vital funds to the NHS, and the choir's local NHS trust charity, which supports the delivery of NHS services in Lewisham and Greenwich. Members of the choir will not make an income from their participation. What other Christmas songs does Bieber have? Bieber has released a string of Christmas songs over the years, such as 2011 top 10 hit ‘Mistletoe’, included on his number one album, Under the Mistletoe. His 2011 Christmas album also includes a duet with Mariah Carey for a modern version of ‘All I Want for Christmas is You’ as well as classics ‘Santa Claus in Coming to Town’ and ‘Silent Night’. Who else is in the running to be UK Christmas number one in 2020? 2020 could be deemed the battle of the should-have-beens, as Mariah Carey’s 1994 single ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ goes head to head with Wham’s ‘Last Christmas’ and The Pogues’ ‘Fairytale of New York’. However, there are also new entries from Liam Gallagher, Jess Glynne and Matt Lucas - with ‘All You’re Dreaming Of’, ‘This Christmas’ and ‘Merry Christmas, baked potato’ respectively.