I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas (1953)

Not only was ten-year-old Gayla Peevey unexpectedly vaulted to fame in 1953 after recording "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas," but she actually got a hippo for Christmas that year. In a 2007 radio interview, Peevey related how "...a local [Oklahoma City] promoter picked up on the popularity of the song and Peevey's local roots, and launched a campaign to present her with an actual hippopotamus on Christmas. The campaign succeeded, and she was presented with an actual hippopotamus, which she donated to the Oklahoma City zoo. The hippopotamus lived for nearly 50 years." (source)

Here's Gayla, from way back in the day, on the Ed Sullivan Show--

"The Mistletoe" (circa 1815-30)

THE MISTLETOE



When winter nights grow long,
And winds without grow cold,
We sit in a ring round the warm wood-fire
And listen to stories old!
And we try to look grave (as maids should be)
When the men bring the boughs of the Laurel tree.
O the Laurel, the evergreen tree!
The poets have laurels, and why not we?

How pleasant, when night falls down
And hides the wintry sun,
To see them come in to the blazing fire,
And know that their work is done;
Whilst many bring in, with a laugh or rhyme,
Green branches of Holly for Christmas time!
O the Holly, the bright green Holly,
It tells (like a tongue) that the times are jolly!

Sometimes (in our grave house,
Observe, this happeneth not),
But, at times the evergreen laurel boughs
And the holly are all forgot!
And then! what then? why, the men laugh low,
And hang up a branch of the mistletoe!
O brave is the laurel! and brave is the holly!
But the Mistletoe banisheth melancholy!
Ah, nobody knows, nor ever shall know,
What is done--under the Mistletoe.

- Bryan Waller Procter (1787-1874)

Bing Crosby and Marjorie Reynolds Sing "White Christmas"

From Paramount Pictures 1942 hit, Holiday Inn. This marked the motion picture debut of the now immortal "White Christmas."

 

CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW VIDEO

 

Jingle Bell ROCK: Aly & AJ

Here's a rather less "sedate" version of Jingle Bell rock than Brenda Lee, from teen pop duo Aly & AJ - who, incidentally, spent part of their childhood in Seattle--

"Baby It's Cold Outside," 1957: Fred MacMurray, Dinah Shore, and Ann Miller

The Fred MacMurray-Dinah Shore version has been removed from YouTube for whatever reason.  In lieu of that, I give you  Margaret Whiting and Johnny Mercer - a very nice version.

A holiday season,  50 years ago. :)

The poster at YouTube, writes:

Fred MacMurray finds himself in a bind as Dinah Shore and Ann Miller put their obvious charms to use in a slightly risque three-way take on Frank Loesser's "Baby, It's Cold Outside" from the December 29, 1957 episode of the Dinah Shore Chevy Show. Here, Fred takes the role of the "Lamb" whereas Dinah and Ann share "Wolf" duties. This song was originally a huge hit, in duet form, for Dinah Shore and Buddy Clark, and their 1949 Columbia recording is still heard today, especially this time of year.

There's about ten seconds of digital noise at the beginning, but that clears up.

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra: Christmas Canon

[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=kGrhzCgy_bg]

Caroling

While music still figures importantly in Christmas celebrations in North America, it is increasingly uncommon that entire families should break into song on Christmas Eve, or that carolers should wander the streets spreading good cheer. I think this is partly due to the proliferation of pre-packaged Christmas music, where the Vienna Boy's Choir comes to your living room (or your mp3 player) in high-fidelity, and partly due to the fact that more and more people simply aren't cheerful at Christmas, for a whole range of reasons (stress,commercialism, and SAD figuring prominently among these).

So, who feels like singing? Well, let me tell you something about that. A very wise counselor friend once told me, regarding depression, that "sitting around and waiting for a good mood to overtake you" is an exercise almost always destined for failure. You have to "fake it until you make it," she said. Obviously, this is simplistic in regard to biological factors, like SAD, or clinical depression, but otherwise, it's completely true. Being "up" is something you most often have to put conscious effort into. You fake it, until you make it.

Which brings us back to the subject of caroling. Raising your voice in song is a very, very old and time-honored way to celebrate life. We don't do it nearly enough anymore; we leave it to the "artists" to do for us.

But making homegrown song can be a whole lot of fun, and can generate a whole lot of good cheer - and even moreso if someone in your family plays an instrument and can provide accompaniment. But even if that isn't the case, there are ways to get around it. Karaoke sites on the web, and other sites devoted to Christmas music. Instrumental CDs of Christmas music that you may sing along to, etc.

If you're uncomfortable with this, then try singing when you're by yourself. Sing at the top of your lungs. I do, even when I'm not by myself, but most of my immediate family is used to it, and several of them do the same.

To help you along with this, I'm establishing a links category comprising nothing but links to Christmas music sites.

Another idea: if the old, time-honored Christmas songs have gotten a bit flat, try making up silly lyrics of your own. I realize that from a conventional, religious standpoint, suggesting this may be tantamount to heresy, but you and I know that people want to enjoy themselves during the holiday. So, do what it takes, within reason.