In 1971, Casey presented his listeners with a little gift. He had his staff compile a list of the 40 best-performing Christmas songs on the pop charts from the 1940s until that point, and he counted them down. And now, as my present to all of you, I'm going to take a look at that countdown, song by song.
40 - "If Every Day Was Like Christmas," Elvis Presley
This 1966 recording sees The King in sentimental crooner mode, reflecting on how much better the world would be if people were as kind and happy every day as they are during the holidays. Nice, but I prefer him doing peppier festive stuff.
39 - "Merry Christmas Polka," The Andrews Sisters
Minnesotans Patty, Maxene and LaVerne Andrews were by far the biggest girl group of the pre-rock era, and they made the list with this polka...ish tribute to all the standard holiday activities: drinking, kissing undet the mistletoe, waiting for Santa, etc. Canadian Guy Lombardo, who was better known for soundtracking New Year's Eve, backed them up. Casey couldn't find a suitable recording of this to play on the original broadcast, but Larry "I will no longer call him NotCasey" Morgan found one for one of the extras.
38 - "Santa Claus is Watching You," Ray Stevens
The novelty star made his contribution to seasonal music with this warning to children that also sees Santa piloting a sleigh powered not only by the traditional eight reindeer, but by two others named Bruce and Marvin. And because Rudolph "dislocated his hip in a twist contest," he has been replaced for 1962 with Clyde the Camel. Basically, an average example of Stevens' silliness.
37 - "Happy Reindeer," Dancer, Prancer and Nervous
A cute, Chipmunky novelty ostensibly by three of Santa's reindeer. The third got his name when, after being hesitant to introduce himself, one of the others asks "Say, are you nervous?" The reindeer said he wasn't, but apparently, that didn't matter to anyone.
36 - "Little Altar Boy," Andy Williams
This song doesn't actually mention anything Christmassy; rather, it's a plea from a lost soul to a child to ask God to help him redeem himself. Redemption is a common Christmas theme, however, so I suppose it fits. And it's a good song.
35 - "Santa and the Satellite," Dickie Goodman
Goodman, who we met in the 70s with "Mr. Jaws," had a minor hit in 1957 with this break-in record on which Santa Claus is kidnapped by "satellite men" who for some reason sound like the backup singers from Thurston Harris' "Little Bitty Pretty One." After various world leaders respond to the crisis in the voices of Little Richard and the Everly Brothers, a reporter on the scene helps Santa escape by suggesting he disguise himself as Elvis, and somehow at the end, Santa and his reindeer have commandeered the "flying saucer" to do their yearly rounds. Not exactly tightly plotted, but fun.
34 - "Santo Natale," David Whitfield
This British singer broke through on the American charts in 1954 with "Cara Mia," and followed it up with this song that uses an Italian phrase to wish the world Merry Christmas. Whitfield was what I call a "tenor crooner," in that he has this big operatic voice, but he uses it on songs that are more suited to a wider audience. Josh Groban would be a modern example.
33 - "Baby's First Christmas," Connie Francis
50s and 60s pop drama queen Francis sings about the joy of having an infant around to experience the wonder of Yuletide. She's a little more enthusiastic about Christmas shopping than most people are, and I'm not sure what she means when she describes the older brother "shinin' up the chimney for Santa Claus." But the good news is, given Francis' reputation, I was waiting for the song to have some sort of downer twist ending, but there was none.
32 - "Little Saint Nick," The Beach Boys
The surf troubadors re-imagine Santa's famous vehicle as a candy-apple red hot rod on runners. Always brings a smile, especially the "Don't miss no one!" part.
31 - "Snoopy's Christmas," The Royal Guardsmen
In 1966, this Florida band had a hit with "Snoopy vs. The Red Baron," a musical tale of a fictional airplane dogfight between Charles Schulz's beloved beagle (who frequently pretended he was a "World War I flying ace" in the Peanuts comic strip) and the legendary German fighter pilot Manfred von Richtofen. The song was a hit, but Schulz sued the group for the unauthorized use of the character and won the right to collect all the single's royalties. He did, however, give his permission for the band to write more Snoopy songs, the most famous of which being this perennial Christmas favorite. On this song, Snoopy takes to the air to battle the Baron on a frosty Christmas Eve. They fight, but ice accumulates on the wings of Snoop's trusty Sopwith Camel, which gives the Baron a golden opportunity to shoot down his enemy. But instead, he simply forces Snoopy to land behind German lines. Snoopy assumes he's about to be taken prisoner, or worse, but instead, the Baron wishes him a Merry Christmas, and the two share a drink and toast each other before getting back in their planes, "each knowing they'd meet on some other day." Inspired by the real "Christmas truce" between German and British soldiers in 1914, it's a poignant reminder that sometimes we can put our differences and grievances aside and just treat each other with kindness and respect because it's the right thing to do. I'm sure Sparky himself approved this message. And this was another one Casey didn't play, but Larry Morgan did.
30 - "Pretty Paper," Roy Orbison
Before becoming an "Outlaw County" star in the 70s, Willie Nelson had most of his success writing songs that other would record, including Patsy Cline's "Crazy," Faron Young's "Hello Walls," and this sad song about a man lamenting a lost love in the midst of the Yuletide revelry around him. And of course, no one was better to deliver this than Roy, who could do heartache better than almost anyone. A bit depressing, but still great.
29 - "Christmas Dragnet," Stan Freberg
Freberg, whose career has spanned eight decades and has encompassed voice acting, radio, advertising, and recording, made this parody of the popular Jack Webb police series in which officer "Wednesday" and his partner deal with their most despicable perp yet, a guy named Grudge who's been charged with "a 4096325- 096704: not believing in Santa Claus." (He also doesn't believe in the Easter Bunny. Or Columbus. Or Cleveland and Cincinnati, for that matter. But he hasn't made up his mind about Toledo.) Side One ends on a cliffhanger, but unfortunately, Casey didn't play the other side, on which the cops accompany Grudge to North Pole, where an elf with a Southern accent shows them a pile of undeliveredpresents waiting for their rightful owner to claim them by believing in jolly old Saint Nick. His name is...well I'm sure you can guess. Anyway, Grudge has an epiphany and declares his belief in Santa, the Easter Bunny, Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati. But he still hasn't made up his mind about Toledo. Dated but fun, and great voice work by both Freberg and Daws Butler, who voiced Yogi Bear, Huckleberry Hound, and others.
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28 - "Mary's Boy Child," Harry Belafonte
Actor, singer and activist Belafonte made the first prominent recording of this recounting of the Nativity story. Simple and beautiful. It was written by Jester Hairston, who in addition to songwriting made many appearances on films and TV. If you remember Sherman Hemsley's late 80s sitcom Amen, you might remember him as the old man, Rolly.
27 - "Santa Baby," Eartha Kitt
Kitt, one of the three "true Catwomen" according to Adam West at that Springfield Car Show, applied her sultry growl to this seductive plea from a woman to have St. Nick bring her some rather expensive presents. What she might be willing to do for them is left up to your imagination. Others have tried this on for size since 1953, but no one's bested Eartha.
26 - "I Yust Go Nuts at Christmas," Yogi Yorgesson
Harry Stewart, a singer and comedian, had his greatest success playing a Swedish caricature on records like this holiday novelty on which Yogi recounts a crazy family celebration involving crazed children and feuding in-laws. Again, dated fun.
25 - "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas," The Chipmunks
This popular favorite was first recorded by Perry Como in 1951, and Ross Bagdasarian's rodent creations put out their own version a decade later. It was written by Meredith Wilson, best known for the hit stage production The Music Man.
24 - "Home for the Holidays," Perry Como
Como had a hit in '54 with this ode to going back to the bosom of family and friends for the festive season. Peppy but restrained; in other words, typical Como.
23 - "Christmas in Killarney," Bing Crosby
Bing Crosby recorded this ode to Christmas, Irish style, in 1950. Casey said he couldn't find a copy of the more popular version by Jack Benny sidekick Dennis Day, but der Bingle makes a suitable substitute.
22 - "Merry Christmas Baby," Charles Brown
Texas blues singer Brown brings some soul to the proceedings with this 1948 song on which he's in a very good mood. He's under the mistletoe with his lady love, who has just given him a diamond ring. There's "good music on my radio," and Santa's visited him with more gifts. In short, in spite of not having imbibed any alcohol, he's "all lit up like a Christmas tree. Just good stuff.
21 - "All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth," Spike Jones and His City Slickers
The popular clowns of the big band era, best known for the anti-Nazi classic "Der Fuerher's Face," made themselves a holiday staple with this lament of a young boy who just wants to stop lisping and whistling when he talks. Always good for a smile
In Part II - More Bing, lots of Gene Autry, and the song that raises the question "Is Santa Claus a homewrecker?"
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