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Issue Date: December 14, 2003
NEWS & VIEWS
Christmas music: An expert sings its praises
Bing Crosby's timeless "White Christmas" is featured in "American Christmas Classics," part of an exhaustive three-volume compilation.
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Few musical forms can claim a continuous spot in pop culture since the 13th century. Christmas carols can. During the golden era of American Christmas music, about 1934 to 1958, songs became more secular, reflecting the changing landscape and times. Since then, artists from Burl Ives to Beyoncé have recorded holiday tunes. Ronald Clancy, publisher of the illuminating "Millennia Collection of Glorious Christmas Music," spent a decade researching the history of hundreds of recordings for his three-volume set (available at christmasclassics.com or by calling 866-552-7742; each book-CD-and-songbook combo is $39.95). We asked Clancy, who was inspired by holiday music growing up in a Philadelphia orphanage, about the enduring popularity of these tunes:
How popular is Christmas music today?
Eight to 10 million Christmas records are sold every year.
What's the most popular Christmas song ever?
"White Christmas" [by Irving Berlin]. It was recorded in 1940, but he had a deal it wouldn't be released until 1942, when Bing Crosby sang it the movie "Holiday Inn." It is the top-selling Christmas song of all time.
It also started the golden era of popular American Christmas music.
[It] became a stunning success. Other popular songwriters were inspired, and Christmas music became more secular: in 1943, "I'll Be Home for Christmas;" 1944, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas;" 1946, "The Christmas Song;" 1947, "Here Comes Santa Claus."
How did the music reflect changing times?
"Silver Bells," for example, was the first Christmas song written for cities. It starts: "City sidewalks, busy sidewalks ..."
What is one of the most unusual stories behind a popular song?
"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" started out as a promotion by Montgomery Ward to get children to come in and sit on Santa's lap [in 1939]. The story was printed up in millions of booklets by the store.
Why aren't many new Christmas songs being recorded today?
According to music afficionados, in the late 1950s rock and roll took over. [But] there are still hundreds of Christmas records.
Is there a Christmas song you'd like to see get more respect?
"Cowboy Carol" by Cecil Broadhurst. It was first performed in 1944 in a play for strikers in a war materials plant. The imagery is wonderful.
Contributing: Vyvyan Lynn, Robin Reid
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