Rocking Around the Christmas Tree

“Run Rudolph Run” is a Christmas song that was written by American singer, songwriter, and guitarist Chuck Berry. The song was credited to Johnny Marks and M. Brodie. It was recorded by Berry in 1958. This song is a 12-bar blues. It charted on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and made it on the UK Singles chart. 

“Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” was written by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie. The earliest known recorded version of this song was by banjolist Harry Reser and his band in 1934. It was sung on Eddie Cantor’s radio show and became an instant hit. Since that time the song has been recorded by more than 200 artists. During the Great Depression Cantor’s original performance included verses that encouraged listeners to be charitable and help the less fortunate at Christmas. In 1975, a rock version was recorded by American singer and songwriter Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. This version of the song appeared on Billboard magazine’s Hot Singles Recurrents chart. 

“I’ll Be Home for Christmas” was written by lyricist Kim Gannon and composer Walter Kent. It was recorded in 1943 by American singer and actor Bing Crosby. The song became a Christmas standard. It has been recorded by American singer and songwriter Bob Dylan and is on his album Christmas In the Heart. 

“Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” is a novelty Christmas song. It was written by Randy Brooks. Originally the song was performed by the husband and wife duo – Elmo Shropshire and Patsy Trigg in 1979. A promotional music video was released in the mid-1980s and aired on MTV for at least 18 years. In the video, even though Santa Claus’s reindeer do run over grandma, she survives. 

“All I Want for Christmas Is You” was written and produced by American singer Mariah Carey and Walter Afanasieff. It was recorded by Carey in 1994 and is on her fourth album and her first holiday album, Merry Christmas. The song is an uptempo love song that consists of bell chimes, clestra, backing vocals, and synthesizers. It has become a Christmas standard. It went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 charts and has topped the charts in the UK. It was certified Diamond by the RIAA.

“The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late)” is a novelty Christmas song. It was written by Ross Bagdasarian (stage name David Seville) in 1958. Bagdasarian recorded the song varying tape speeds in order to produce high-pitched “chipmunk” voices. The vocals were credited to Alvin and the Chipmunks. The song won three Grammy Awards – Best Comedy Performance, Best Children’s Recording, and Best Engineered Record. It went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 Pop Singles chart. Due to its success, the song was featured on American Bandstand’s “Rate-a-Record” segment.

“Thank God It’s Christmas” is a Christmas single that was recorded by the British rock band Queen. It was written by lead guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor. The single in 1984 spent six weeks on the UK charts over Christmas and the New Year. The song is featured on the band’s album Greatest Hits III. It is also featured on the Christmas compilation LP The Edge of Christmas.

“Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” is a Christmas song that came out in 1971. It was recorded by John & Yoko/Plastic Ono Band with the Harlem Community choir. It was written by English singer and songwriter John Lennon and is his seventh single released. The song made it on the UK Singles chart. The song is a protest song against the Vietnam War and has become a Christmas standard. 

“Jingle Bell Rock” was recorded by American country singer Bobby Helms in 1957. Since it came out, the song is played every Christmas season. It was written by Joseph Carleton Beal and James Ross Boothe. The song has been performed by many artists, but the version by Helms is the best known. It is on his album of the same name.

“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” is a Christmas song that was written by Johnny Marks. It was recorded by American singer Brenda Lee in 1958. In 2008, Lee’s original version has sold more than 25 million copies all over the world. It is the 4th most digital download sold of any Christmas single. This is a rockabilly song.