Laugh During the Holidays

During the holidays we can always use good cheer so it is great that we can also find amusing Christmas songs. No tears listening to these songs just a jolly good time. So set up the egg nog, turn on the music, and get ready to rock around the Christmas tree.

“All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth” is a novelty Christmas song. It was written by Donald Yetter Gardner in 1944. He wrote it while teaching music at public schools in Smithtown, New York. When he asked his second-grade class what they wanted for Christmas many answered with lisps having lost one or both front teeth. Suddenly the entire country embraced this delightful Christmas song after a music company heard Gardner sing it at a music teacher’s conference.

“I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” is a song with music and lyrics by British songwriter Tommie Connor. It was originally recorded in 1952 by American singer Jimmy Boyd. Since then it has been covered by many artists. Jimmy Boyd made the original recording when he was 13 years old. The song went to number one on the Billboard Pop Singles chart and the following year on the Cash Box chart. It also charted on the UK Singles chart. The song was commissioned by the New York City department store Saks Fifth Avenue to promote their Christmas card for the year. The song describes a child walking downstairs on Christmas Eve to see his mom kissing Santa Claus under the mistletoe.

“Leroy the Redneck Reindeer” is a song that was recorded by American country music artist Joe Diffie. It is featured on his first Christmas album Mr. Christmas. The single charted on the Billboard Hot Country Single & Tracks chart. The album is a mix of traditional Christmas music and newly penned songs.

“The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late)” is a 1958 novelty Christmas song that was recorded by Ross Bagdasarian under his stage name David Seville. Even though he did all the voices the vocals were credited to the animated Chipmunks Alvin and the Chipmunks – Alvin, Simon, and Theodore. The song went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It was certified Gold by the RIAA.

“Rusty Chevrolet” is a novelty Christmas song set to the melody of “Jingle Bells”. It was recorded by the American novelty music band Da Yoopers. They released it in 1986 and was written by band members Jim DeClaire and Joe Potila. It is featured on their album Culture Shock. The song is about how a man struggles with his old Chevrolet, a Chevrolet Impala 6 Sport Coupe 1980.

“I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” is a Christmas novelty song. It was written by John Rox and performed by 10-year-old Gayla Peevey in 1953. The song charted on the Billboard Pop chart. Peevey was a child star. When the song was released nationally the Oklahoma City Zoo got a baby hippo named Matilda. Peevey went on to perform the song on “The Ed Sullivan Show”.

“Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” is a novelty Christmas song. It was written by Randy Brooks and was originally recorded by Elmo Shropshire in 1979 as Elmo and Patsy, a double act with his wife. The lyrics tell the sad tale of Grandma having too much eggnog, going out in a snowstorm, and being run down by Santa and his reindeer. In the music video Elmo plays both Grandma and Grandpa and Patsy plays Cousin Mel. Grandma survives the attack and returns through the chimney a version I much applaud.