Before the duet, Bowie and Crosby act out a dialogue skit, described by Annie Zaleski of "Ultimate Classic Rock" as "hilariously forced-looking" and by author Peter Doggett as "excruciatingly staged". In the skit, Crosby is an American visiting a British home, and Bowie lives down the street and is looking for a friend. Bowie recognizes Crosby, asking "You're the guy who sings, right?" The pair discuss the holidays and holiday traditions and then proceed to musical subjects, with Bowie remarking that he likes old-timers such as John Lennon and Harry Nilsson. Bowie even quips "We sing the same songs — I even have a go at 'White Christmas'." They then sort through the sheet music on the piano, which Bowie had ostensibly come over to play, and picks out "Little Drummer Boy", describing it as "my son's favorite". Doggett remarks that the duet is performed "very much" in Crosby's style rather than Bowie's.