Definitive versions of Christmas songs?

[Nonsuch]

@bordelond

Whose version of “Sleigh Ride” has the semi-annoying female or child’s vocals singing “I like to sleigh ride” throughout the song? Or is that every version?

Addendum: You’re actually thinking of her version of “Jingle Bells,” not “Sleigh Ride.”

[Rodgers01]

Jimmy Durante’s version of “Frosty the Snowman”, because of the cartoon version.

Mel Torme’s “The Christmas Song”

Alvin and the Chipmunk’s “Santa Don’t Be Late” (“I still want a hula-hoop…”)

[bordelond]

@Nonsuch

Addendum: You’re actually thinking of her version of “Jingle Bells,” not “Sleigh Ride.”

OK … that makes more sense. The version I had in mind didn’t sound much like Aretha.

[bordelond]

@Rodgers01

Jimmy Durante’s version of “Frosty the Snowman”, because of the cartoon version.

I concur – though Gene Autry did an earlier version (probably the version that Durante’s superceded). Autry also did “Here Comes Santa Claus”, but I think **Nonsuch ** is right about Elvis’s version sinking in deeper into American Xmas culture.

@Rodgers01

Mel Torme’s “The Christmas Song”

If this is the one that begins “Chestnuts roasting / on an open fire”, Cole owns it (see OP) IMHO. However, I’d bet that Torme’s version is outstanding (can’t recall having heard it … probably have, though).

@Rodgers01

Alvin and the Chipmunk’s “Santa Don’t Be Late” (“I still want a hula-hoop…”)

For reference, this is “The Chipmunk Song”, I believe.

[bordelond]

@bordelond

Did Bing Crosby and David Bowie’s version of “Little Drummer Boy” eclipse all previous versions (I’d say “yes”).

Google has reminded me that this is actually a medley of “Peace on Earth” an “Little Drummer Boy”. I guess, to be fair, I have to say that this performance is its own thing … very notable on its own.

[Rodgers01]

@bordelond

If this is the one that begins “Chestnuts roasting / on an open fire”, Cole owns it (see OP) IMHO. However, I’d bet that Torme’s version is outstanding (can’t recall having heard it … probably have, though).

Ah, you’re probably right. I missed that in the OP, and completely forgot about Nat King Cole’s version; just assumed it’s more associated with Torme since he’s the one who wrote it, but you’re probably right that more people are familiar with the Cole version.

[bordelond]

Though it seems to be credited as an original composition, is the Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s “Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24)” now the most known “take” on “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”?

[ElvisL1ves]

@Gary T

“Sleigh Ride” was written and first performed by Leroy Anderson. While Fiedler and the Boston Pops might have more name recognition as performers, argument can be made that Aderson’s version is equally or more definitive.

Um, well, they’re actually the same thing.

The Andersons spent the summer of 1947 in Woodbury, Connecticut. It was here that he composed Sleigh Ride during a heat wave. … Fiedler continued to premier Anderson’s works including Sleigh Ride, Fiddle–Faddle and Trumpeter’s Lullaby, until 1950.

Luciano Pavarotti’s “Adeste Fidelis”.

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir’s “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing”

[rowrrbazzle]

Andy Williams, “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year”.

@Gary T

“Little Drummer Boy” by the Harry Simeon Chorale was the only version I ever heard of, much less heard, until a few years ago (Simeon co-wrote the song). I can’t imagine any other version even approaching it in definitiveness. And all the others I have heard suck big time in comparison.

Simeone did not co-write it. It was written by Katherine K. Davis in 1941. Simeone just made minor changes to the harmony and rhythm in spots.

But since Simeone’s recording came out, it has been unquestionably the most widely heard version. I don’t remember hearing it at all before Simeone, but some sites say a Trapp Family Singers performance was popular.

[Skywatcher]

@jrfranchi

I would like to Enya’s “Silent Night” but I am afraid most people haven’t heard it or if they have, don’t know it is her.

It’s certainly the melody but is it really “Silent Night” in Gaelic?

[waits]

@Nonsuch

“Jingle Bells” seems to lack a definitive version, but I’d argue Frank Sinatra’s comes closest.

Au contraire, mon frere. I do believe you’re forgetting about The Singing Dogs.

Woof-woof-woof
Woof-woof-woof
woof-woof-woof-woof-woof

[Gary_T]

Originally Posted by Gary T
“Sleigh Ride” was written and first performed by Leroy Anderson. While Fiedler and the Boston Pops might have more name recognition as performers, argument can be made that Aderson’s version is equally or more definitive.

@ElvisL1ves

Um, well, they’re actually the same thing.

No, they’re not. I have a recording of it by Leroy Anderson, and a recording of it by Boston Pops. They’re clearly different. Not wildly different, but certainly not the same.

I will concede that it seems the Boston Pops version preceded the Anderson version, based on this from the site linked: “Fiedler continued to premier Anderson’s works including Sleigh Ride…”

[Gary_T]

Originally Posted by Gary T
[Harry Simeon co-wrote] “Little Drummer Boy.” ).

@rowrrbazzle

Simeone did not co-write it. It was written by Katherine K. Davis in 1941. Simeone just made minor changes to the harmony and rhythm in spots.

I figured he co-wrote it because all my music books list “Words and Music by Katherine Davis, Henry Onorati, and Harry Simeone.” Fooled me.

You may have been fooled too. Curiosity aroused, I dug around on the web and found these:

This was originally a Czech song known as “The Carol Of The Drum.” Katherine Davis translated it to English in 1941. from The Little Drummer Boy by Harry Simeone Chorale - Songfacts

Pretty much the same story (perhaps the source for the above), most interestingly displayed as a response to the Davis info you found (included), is here: http://fhdr.bizland.com/LDBAuthorship.htm

Slightly different version, with additional info about the song here (scroll about 3/4 down the page): http://mailman.xmission.com/lurker/message/20050307.044216.9d2764cd.en.html

And this site lists Davis as the arranger, also giving more/different history of the tune: http://www.originals.be/eng/main.cfm?c=t_upd_show&id=3728

And of course, any number of sites that (mindlessly?) repeat “written in 1958 by Katherine Davis, Henry Onorati, and Harry Simeone.”

[Gary_T]

I also found this site, which discusses classic definitive versions, interesting/weird versions, superb versions, and interesting tidbits and history about some of these songs.

[Skywatcher]

@Gary T

weird versions

That would be Streisand’s version of “Jingle Bells”.

[rowrrbazzle]

@Gary T

You may have been fooled too.

Perhaps. Another page from Wellesley, says this:

Katherine Davis (Wellesley Class of 1914) first wrote and published the music more commonly known as “The Little Drummer Boy” under the pseudonym of C.R.W. Robertson.

Here’s the earlier Trapp Family Singers recording I mentioned: http://box.net/public/lee/files/1332929.html. From here: http://musicyouwont.blogspot.com/2005/11/trapp-family-singers-to-rescue.html

That makes the claims that the song was first recorded in 1957 by Jack Halloran a bit dicey. Maybe it’s technically true if it means under the title “The Little Drummer Boy”.

[rowrrbazzle]

Also an Eric Zorn column of 12-18-01 (scroll down) says:

The Trapp Family Singers of Austria soon added “Carol of the Drum” to their repertoire, but Davis’ composition didn’t take off until 1958 when arranger Harry Simeone made a few minor changes…

…in a letter she wrote to fellow Wellesley College alumnae in the mid-1970s she said it was not fear of cloying that prompted her to release the song under a pseudonym, but “the feeling that I had perhaps done too many carol texts.”

Yes, Zorn omits Halloran.

[AskNott]

The only “Little Drummer Boy” I’ve ever liked, and I have dozens, is EmmyLou Harris on “Light Of The Stable.” She also nails “Silent Night” and the title tune. The album opens with “Christmastime’s A’comin’,” and it is heart warming.

I agree that Der Bingle is the definitive “White Christmas.”

Patti LaBelle’s “This Christmas”? She owns it.

Andy Williams sets the standard for “Happy Holidays.”

I might be back with more, but I gotta go.

[Beware_of_Doug]

Gary T’s cite mentioned Joey Nash, who sang with the Richard Himber band and supposedly knew the writer of the song - and convinced Himber to record it. If that doesn’t make Himber’s recording definitive, I’d like to know what does. But I still like Ted Weems’ version better.

[jasonh300]

I have a note about the Arthur Fiedler Boston Pops version of Sleigh Ride…

Al Hirt played in that track which I think accounts for a certain jazziness that you might not normally hear with the Boston Pops.

My dad had an old Time Life Treasury of Christmas when I was a kid…probably dating back to the late 60s. That version of Sleigh Ride was on one of the LPs and I associate that one with Christmas more than any other song.