Day 24: White Christmas- Bing Crosby
Note: This post is part of a series where I listen to an album each day in December. Past posts can be found on my substack. All hyperlinked songs go to Spotify links, Youtube links can be found at the end of the post.
White Christmas or Merry Christmas is as classic as it gets in terms of Christmas music. Even if you don’t care for Bing Crosby’s voice, you’ve undoubtedly heard every track on this album at the mall, in the car, or anywhere Christmas music is played.
This compilation album was re-released several times as 78s in 1945 and 1947, eventually as an LP in 1949, and a redesigned LP in 1955. The 1955 track listing is the most commonly distributed now and the order in which I listened today.
This album shouldn’t be confused with music in the 1954 film Crosy stars in alongside Danny Kay, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera-Ellen. There was never an official soundtrack released for the film due to contractual issues with Rosemary Clooney being signed to Columbia and the soundtrack rights being controlled by Decca. Two separate albums feature the stars from the film. One with Danny Kay, Bing Crosby, and Peggy Lee singing selections and one of Clooney giving her rendition. The compilation of Bing Crosby with the Andrew Sisters and Carole Richards only includes one song featured in the film, which is of course the titular song.
When I need to get into the Christmas spirit, few voices can conjure a jovial and celebratory feeling like Bing Crosby’s does. My two favorite tracks on this album are “It’s Beginning to Look Like Christmas” composed by Meredith Wilson and “Silver Bells” by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans. There is a timeless nature to this record that can create nostalgia in any listener, even ones whose parents weren’t alive during the recording and release of these songs. That’s great writing, something that can transcend time and be re-recorded in 100 different ways. Crosby’s voice offers a clear and strong path through each song and is one of the most important voices of Christmas classics. I think Nat “King” Cole is a pretty close second with his recording of “The Christmas Song” by Mel Torme.
If you’re still in search of the Christmas spirit on Christmas Eve, in another December that is far from being a white Christmas, live vicariously through this album.
Until Tomorrow,
Emily
Listen to White Christmas on YouTube.