“Peace On Earth/The Little Drummer Boy,” David Bowie and Bing Crosby, 1977

Recorded for a television special (Bing Crosby’s Merrie Olde Christmas) in September 1977, the counterpoint “Peace on Earth” was specifically written for David Bowie, who reportedly hated “The Little Drummer Boy” and refused to sing it, although he does accompany Bing at the start.  Those two great talents from two different times combined to make something wonderful.

Sadly, Bing Crosby passed away five weeks after the taping at the age of 74 and David Bowie at the age of 69 in 2016.

The video below has the full segment, the song starts at about 1:45