Tag Archives: Gene Autry

Christmas, list, MUSIC

My Favorite Christmas Songs 2018 #5

Here Comes Santa Claus, Elvis Presley, 1957

Another of Gene Autry’s holiday classics, he was inspired to write it after hearing crowds chant: “Here Comes Santa Claus!” during a Christmas parade he was participating in.  Elvis Presley puts his own spin on the tune, which is of course, his.

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Christmas, MUSIC

My Favorite Christmas Songs 2017 #7

“Up On The Housetop,” Gene Autry, 1953

This is Gene’s third (and well-deserved) entry on this list.  Who wouldn’t go?

TRIVIA: The song was written by Benjamin Hanby in 1864.  In addition to being a songwriter, Benjamin was also involved in the Underground Railroad.

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Christmas, MUSIC

My Favorite Christmas Songs 2015 #1-6

As I looked over my list of Christmas songs from last year, I realized that I left out quite a few good ones in my effort to highlight songs and covers that folks may not have heard of.  Thus, I’ll start out this year playing catch up with some standards:

#1 – “The Christmas Song,” Nat King Cole, 1946
 
How else could I start?
 
 
 
#2 – “A Holly Jolly Christmas,” Burl Ives, 1964
 
Counting “There’s Always Tomorrow” from last year, this makes the second song on my list from the “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” holiday special.  The song was originally to be sung by the character of Yukon Cornelius.  Yeah, I can’t see it, either.
 
 
#3 – “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” Gene Autry, 1949
 
The original version of the story of “Santa’s 9th Reindeer.”  I remember singing it in Cub Scouts and the troop all goofing with it; repeating the ‘reindeer’ in the chorus and adding words to the lyrics.
 
 
#4 – “Happy Holidays/Holiday Season,” Andy Williams, 1963

“Happy Holiday” was originally sung by Bing Crosby in the 1942 film “Holiday Inn.”  “The Holiday Season” was added later to make this classic medley.

 
#5 – “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” Andy Williams, 1963
 
Another wonderful standard from Andy Williams.  I’ve always wondered: Was telling ghost stories at Christmas time really a thing way back when?
 
 
#6 – “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” Brenda Lee
 
To my ears, Brenda Lee sounds as if she’s singing about ‘punkin’ pie’ but that only adds to the song’s charm.
 
 
 

 

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Eduardo Soliz, MUSIC, Video

My Favorite Christmas Songs #4

“If It Doesn’t Snow on Christmas,” Gene Autry, 1949

Singing cowboy Gene Autry is very well known for Christmas music, in addition to recording several standards, he wrote “Here Comes Santa Claus.”  A B-side for the more well-known “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “If It Doesn’t Snow on Christmas” is interesting because for whatever reason, it seems to ignore the fact that Santa’s reindeer can fly.

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