Can you feel it? Christmas is only a few weeks away! There is really nothing like the songs from those favourite Christmas specials. They’re dated, yet still somehow feel fresh. They’re quaint and hokey yet utterly influential. Just listen and let the good feelings to well up!
With that very feeling in mind, this week, we look back at some songs from our favourite Christmas specials from yesteryear. Check out our selection below, and relearn those old lessons; those that teach that there’s always enough holiday spirit around to warm every heart. Even if you’re an oddball, miser, misfit, or just celebrating away from family this year.
Christmas Specials: 7 Songs We Love
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964): We’re a Couple of Misfits
Originally featured in the 1964 Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer special, “We’re a Couple of Misfits” was produced by holiday special giant Rankin/Bass.
The song is sung by Rudolph and Hermey after they decide to be independent together. The song was replaced due to the inclusion of a “special extended ending” from 1965 to 1998, but recent airings have reintroduced it.
We love the song’s message that being different is okay, especially when you have friends that accept you.
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965): Christmas Time is Here
Written by Lee Mendelson and composer and jazz man Vince Guaraldi, “Christmas Time is Here” opens the holiday classic A Charlie Brown Christmas.
Performed by the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church choir, the song plays as Charlie Brown and Linus trudge through the snow to meet up with the rest of the Peanuts gang to skate on a small frozen pond. It’s an idyllic scene of childhood during the holiday season.
The soundtrack has two versions of the classic Christmas carol: the vocal version heard in the opening scene and a six-minute instrumental version that plays in the background during the special.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966): You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch
What list of holiday special music would be complete without “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch?” The song’s uniquely hilarious lyrics were penned by none other than Dr. Suess himself. Boris Karloff, who narrates and provides the Grinch’s voice, was originally supposed to sing the song, but for some reason, the studio decided to have Thurl Ravenscroft sing it. You might not recognize that incredibly epic name, but you know his work; he’s best known as the voice of the Frosted Flakes mascot, Tony the Tiger!
With its silly lyrics, the song struck (and continues to strike) a chord with children and adults alike and has become a classic favourite of all Grinch fans.
Frosty the Snowman (1969): Frosty the Snowman
Did you know that the song “Frosty the Snowman,” written by Steve “Jack” Rollins and Steve Nelson, and recorded by Gene Autry and the Cass County Boys, actually came before and inspired the cartoon special? The original, recorded in 1950, is usually considered a Christmas tune, even though it doesn’t mention the holiday at all.
The idea first came after Nelson and Rollins saw the kind of success Autry had singing Rudolph’s song in 1949. Once they decided to write their own catchy, silly Christmas song, it took them months to decide on a living snowman as the subject. Lucky for them, they managed to have it ready for a 1950 release. And Autry was delighted to ride his own coattails back to the top of the charts.
While it may not talk about Christmas, this cute children’s poem has that wonderful feel-good spirit that makes it feel right at home with the rest of our holiday favourites. It’s always sure to bring some light and joy to the season.
Santa Claus is Coming to Town (1970): Santa Claus is Coming to Town
“Santa Claus is Coming to Town” is another case in which the song came much earlier than the TV special. Written by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie, this song was first sung on Eddie Cantor’s radio show in November 1934. It became an instant classic, with over 100,000 orders of the sheet music the next day and more than 400,000 copies sold by that Christmas!
The animated special didn’t come until much later: 1970. S.D. Kluger and the Westminster Children’s Choir provided the iconic vocals.
Since then, the song has been rerecorded hundreds of times. The most popular versions include: the Andrew Sisters with Bing Crosby, Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops, Cyndi Lauper with Frank Sinatra, the Beach Boys, the Pointer Sisters, Rachel Crow, Mariah Carey, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.
Jack Frost (1979): Jack Frost is Here
Pardon-Me-Pete narrates arguably the last of the great, vivid Rankin/Bass holiday specials, “Jack Frost.” Buddy Hackett voiced Pete and his singing voice for the tune “Jack Frost is Here,” which appears both at the beginning and the end of the special.
This little ditty about the coming of winter and the little changes that go on to let you know Jack has come is another example of a song that has become a classic of the Christmas specials without mentioning Christmas.
The final rendition of the song is a bit melancholic, given Jack’s situation at the end of the story. But as his little buddy Snip says, the winter wouldn’t be the same without him.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993): What’s This?
We’re going to cheat a little on this last one. It’s not really part of the traditional Christmas specials, but it is one of our all-time favourite Christmas movies! In any case, the film boasts an incredible soundtrack written by the talented Danny Elfman. Mr. Elfman also provided Jack Skelington’s singing voice!
“What’s This?” is a relatively new song when compared to many other Christmas specials. But its message of wonder and discovery make it fit right in with all the classics.
What classic holiday music is keeping your spirits up this year? Let us know in the comments!
And if you’re still hunting for a last-minute gift for that music lover in your life, why not lessons from The Music Studio?!
The Music Studio is now offering music lesson gift certificates just in time for the holidays!
- Buy gift certificates for a specific number of lessons or any specific dollar amount. The value of one 30-minute private lesson is $37.00.
- There is no expiry date!
- Order yours by calling 416.234.9268 or by email to ed@themusicstudio.ca