Blue Christmas
Encyclopedia
"Blue Christmas" is a Christmas
song written by Billy Hayes and Jay W. Johnson. The heart-broken tale of unrequited love during the holidays had long been considered a Christmas staple of country music
, having been recorded first by Doye O'Dell in 1948 and popularised by Ernest Tubb
the next year. Elvis Presley
effectively made "Blue Christmas" a steadfast rock-and-roll holiday classic by recording it in his signature style in 1957. The song has since been recorded by a host of rock
and country artists, as well as those of other genres. "Blue Christmas" was a 1960 Hot 100 entry by The Browns
(Jim Ed, Bonnie, and Maxine). The song was also featured in the children's Christmas special, The Year Without a Santa Claus
. The song has been covered by artists such as The Partridge Family
, Céline Dion
, indie band Bright Eyes, Nerina Pallot
, Low
and Billy Idol
in his 2006 Christmas album Happy Holidays, and Andrea Bocelli
for his 2009 holiday album My Christmas
in a duet with Reba McEntire
. There have been more than 65 significant recorded versions. Elvis Presley's famous recording of the song appeared on his 1957 LP, Elvis' Christmas Album
. Presley's version was also released as a single for the first time in 1964. Ernest Tubb's version of the song included an extra verse not used by Elvis' later version.
In 2009
, Elvis' version was used in a TV commercial for Verizon Wireless
.
rock band
The Beach Boys
. The song was released as the B-side of the "The Man with All the Toys
" single on November 16, 1964; it charted at #3 in the U.S.
Christmas charts but did not chart in the U.K
. The song was also released on the band's 1964 album The Beach Boys' Christmas Album
on the same day. The song featured Brian Wilson
on lead vocals.
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
song written by Billy Hayes and Jay W. Johnson. The heart-broken tale of unrequited love during the holidays had long been considered a Christmas staple of country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
, having been recorded first by Doye O'Dell in 1948 and popularised by Ernest Tubb
Ernest Tubb
Ernest Dale Tubb , nicknamed the Texas Troubadour, was an American singer and songwriter and one of the pioneers of country music. His biggest career hit song, "Walking the Floor Over You" , marked the rise of the honky tonk style of music...
the next year. Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
effectively made "Blue Christmas" a steadfast rock-and-roll holiday classic by recording it in his signature style in 1957. The song has since been recorded by a host of rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
and country artists, as well as those of other genres. "Blue Christmas" was a 1960 Hot 100 entry by The Browns
The Browns
The Browns were an American country and folk music vocal trio best known for their 1959 Grammy-nominated hit, "The Three Bells". The group, composed of Jim Ed Brown and his sisters Maxine and Bonnie Brown, had a close, smooth harmony characteristic of the Nashville sound, though their music also...
(Jim Ed, Bonnie, and Maxine). The song was also featured in the children's Christmas special, The Year Without a Santa Claus
The Year Without a Santa Claus
The Year Without a Santa Claus is a 1974 Rankin/Bass stop motion animated television special. It usually airs during the Christmas season on United States television. The story is based on Phyllis McGinley's 1956 book of the same name, illustrated by Kurt Werth.-Summary:The show is set in the...
. The song has been covered by artists such as The Partridge Family
The Partridge Family
The Partridge Family is an American television sitcom about a widowed mother and her five children who embark on a music career. The series originally ran from September 25, 1970 until August 31, 1974, the last new episode airing on March 23, 1974, on the ABC network, as part of a Friday-night lineup...
, Céline Dion
Celine Dion
Céline Marie Claudette Dion, , , is a Canadian singer. Born to a large family from Charlemagne, Quebec, Dion emerged as a teen star in the French-speaking world after her manager and future husband René Angélil mortgaged his home to finance her first record...
, indie band Bright Eyes, Nerina Pallot
Nerina Pallot
Nerina Pallot is a platinum selling, BRIT Award and Ivor Novello Award nominated British singer and songwriter. Although born in London, Pallot was brought up in Jersey to a half-French father and mother from Allahabad, India.-Early life:Pallot played piano as a child and wrote her first song...
, Low
Low (band)
Low is an American indie rock group from Duluth, Minnesota, formed in 1993. As of 2010, the group is composed of Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker , both founding members, and Steve Garrington ....
and Billy Idol
Billy Idol
William Michael Albert Broad , better known by his stage name Billy Idol, is an English rock musician. A member of the Bromley Contingent of Sex Pistols fans, Idol first achieved fame in the punk rock era as a member of the band Generation X...
in his 2006 Christmas album Happy Holidays, and Andrea Bocelli
Andrea Bocelli
Andrea Bocelli, is an Italian tenor, multi-instrumentalist and classical crossover artist. Born with poor eyesight, he became blind at the age of twelve following a soccer accident....
for his 2009 holiday album My Christmas
My Christmas
My Christmas is the thirteenth studio album and first holiday album released by Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli.The album is a compilation of seasonal holiday favorites, mainly in English, with a few selections in Italian, German, and French, produced by multiple Grammy Award winner David Foster,...
in a duet with Reba McEntire
Reba McEntire
Reba Nell McEntire is an American country music artist and actress. She began her career in the music industry as a high school student singing in the Kiowa High School band , on local radio shows with her siblings, and at rodeos. As a solo act, she was invited to perform at a rodeo in Oklahoma...
. There have been more than 65 significant recorded versions. Elvis Presley's famous recording of the song appeared on his 1957 LP, Elvis' Christmas Album
Elvis' Christmas Album
Elvis' Christmas Album is the fourth album by Elvis Presley on RCA Victor Records, LOC 1035, a deluxe limited edition, released in October 1957, and recorded at Radio Recorders in Hollywood. It has been reissued in numerous different formats since its first release...
. Presley's version was also released as a single for the first time in 1964. Ernest Tubb's version of the song included an extra verse not used by Elvis' later version.
In 2009
2009 in television
The following is a list of events affecting American television in 2009. Events listed include television show debuts, finales, cancellations, and new channel launches.-January:-February:-March:-April:-May:-June:-July:-August:...
, Elvis' version was used in a TV commercial for Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless
Cellco Partnership, doing business as Verizon Wireless, is one of the largest mobile network operators in the United States. The network has 107.7 million subscribers as of 2011, making it the largest wireless service provider in America....
.
Beach Boys version
The song was covered by the AmericanUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rock band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys are an American rock band, formed in 1961 in Hawthorne, California. The group was initially composed of brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. Managed by the Wilsons' father Murry, The Beach Boys signed to Capitol Records in 1962...
. The song was released as the B-side of the "The Man with All the Toys
The Man with All the Toys
"The Man with All the Toys" is a Christmas song written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love for the American rock band The Beach Boys. It was released on their 1964 album The Beach Boys' Christmas Album. As a single that year it had limited success "The Man with All the Toys" is a Christmas song written...
" single on November 16, 1964; it charted at #3 in the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Christmas charts but did not chart in the U.K
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. The song was also released on the band's 1964 album The Beach Boys' Christmas Album
The Beach Boys' Christmas Album
- The Musicians :* Al Jardine - guitar, vocals* Mike Love - vocals* Brian Wilson - bass guitar, vocals* Carl Wilson - guitar, vocals* Dennis Wilson - drums, vocals- Orchestra :...
on the same day. The song featured Brian Wilson
Brian Wilson
Brian Douglas Wilson is an American musician, best known as the leader and chief songwriter of the group The Beach Boys. Within the band, Wilson played bass and keyboards, also providing part-time lead vocals and, more often, backing vocals, harmonizing in falsetto with the group...
on lead vocals.
See also
- The Beach BoysThe Beach BoysThe Beach Boys are an American rock band, formed in 1961 in Hawthorne, California. The group was initially composed of brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. Managed by the Wilsons' father Murry, The Beach Boys signed to Capitol Records in 1962...
- The Beach Boys' Christmas AlbumThe Beach Boys' Christmas Album- The Musicians :* Al Jardine - guitar, vocals* Mike Love - vocals* Brian Wilson - bass guitar, vocals* Carl Wilson - guitar, vocals* Dennis Wilson - drums, vocals- Orchestra :...
- List of songs by The Beach Boys
External links
- Lyrics to Blue Christmas
- Music video featuring Elvis Presley and a superimposed Martina McBride