By Sarah12/03/2021
Happy December Snappers!
It feels like just last week when we were celebrating the beginning of SHOCKtober. Time sure flies when you're having so much fun on SingSnap! Now that the holiday season is officially in full swing, we wanted to share 10 of our favorite classic Christmas songs and dive into their history, before singing them and adding them to our super fun festive playlists!
1. It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year by Andy Williams
Starting off with one to help get us all into the holiday spirit, 'It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year' was recorded and written in the early 1960s by George Wyle and Edward Pola. Did you know that this classic track was first introduced in 1962 on the Christmas episode of the Andy Williams Show?
2. Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee
Although this song is now a seasoned hit and sung by numerous artists across all genres, it took a little while to catch on after its release in 1958. The track didn't reach the charts at all until 1960, 1961 and 1962 - after which it became a Christmas classic!
3. Holly Jolly Christmas by Burl Ives
This Christmas hit was written by songwriter Johnny Marks, who is also the writer of infamous 'Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer'! This hit is another that didn't hit the charts until later on - fast forward to 1987 where Ives performed it on Dolly Parton's TV show, and it had officially become a perennial Christmas classic.
4. Do You Hear What I Hear by Bing Crosby
First appearing on Bing Crosby's 1963 album 'I Wish You A Merry Christmas', this song has sold tens of millions of copies worldwide. It was originally written by a married couple as a Christmas carol in 1962 and performed by the Harry Simone Chorale!
5. Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow! by Dean Martin
This song was written way back in 1945 and originally recorded by Vaughn Monroe. Although it's widely known as a Christmas song, there's no mention of the holiday in the track instead focusing on making the most of any snowy day! In the book 'Songwriters on Songwriting' by Paul Zollo, rumor has it that 'Let it Snow' was actually recorded in Hollywood on the hottest day of the year.
6. A Marshmallow World by Darlene Love
Written in 1949, this popular holiday tune was first a hit for Bing Crosby. Other performances include a duet of Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra on the Dean Martin Show in 1967, and by many other artists throughout the decades!
7. Blue Christmas by Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley's recording of 'Blue Christmas' from 1957 is the most successful, however the song was first brought to life in 1948 with a popular cover from Ernest Tubb. Elvis's first performance of this track was on his 1968 television special, which resulted in the only video footage that exists of the star singing a Christmas song!
8. Run Rudolph Run by Chuck Berry
Widely known as 'Run Run Rudolph' thanks to Lynyrd Skynyrd's cover, other artists that have created their own renditions of this song include Bryan Adams and Jimmy Buffett. If you've watched 'Home Alone', you might recognize it from the iconic scene where the family rushes to their airport gate and nearly misses their plane!
9. Last Christmas by Wham!
Fast forward to the 1980s, 'Last Christmas' was first released as a part of a charity record with proceeds going to famine relief in Ethiopia. The track is the second best-selling Christmas song in the UK, with 'Do They Know It's Christmas' as number one!
10. Dominick The Donkey by Lou Monte
This Christmas classic is sure to encourage some laughter, no matter how old you are! 'Dominick The Donkey' was released in 1960 by New Jersey native Lou Monte, an Italian-American singer and guitarist. This song quickly became a staple in many Italian-American households, with the story being of a donkey that helps Santa bring presents to Italy's children!
...That's a wrap! We hope we helped you lean into your holiday spirit a little bit more with this list of classic songs perfect for adding to your festive playlists. We can't wait to see our Snappers versions of awesome Christmas hits this month, specifically during our holiday challenges! Next up is the most EPIC snowball fight you'll ever join... From the comfort of your own home, of course! Check out the details here.
Happy Snappin' and Happy Holidays!
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