1. "White Christmas" - Among the numerous Christmas carols created by Jewish composers, I’ve chosen to highlight my top picks, beginning with what is not only the most renowned modern Christmas song but also, as recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records, the highest-selling single ever.
Written by: Irving Berlin in 1940
Originally penned by: Israel Isidore Baline (Berlin’s birth name)
Composed while: relaxing poolside at the Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa in Phoenix, Arizona (imagine a White Christmas there!)
Popularized by: Bing Crosby in the film Holiday Inn
Interesting Irving Berlin tidbit: He declined to profit from his patriotic fervor, donating all earnings from "God Bless America" (another masterpiece he wrote) to the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Campfire Girls.
2. "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer"
Written by: Johnny Marks in 1949
Inspired by: a poem/story created by Marks’ brother-in-law, who introduced Rudolph to the world
Popularized by: Gene Autry, whose version sold over 2 million copies in its debut year
Notable Rudolph mishearing: "Olive, the other reindeer" (check out our post on mondegreens if you’re unfamiliar with the term)
Fascinating Johnny Marks fact: He is the great-uncle of economist Steven Levitt, co-author of the acclaimed book Freakonomics
3. "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!"
Written by: composer Jule Styne in 1945 with lyrics by Sammy Cahn
Originally composed by: Julius Kerwin Stein and Samuel Cohen (their actual names)
Popularized by: Vaughn Monroe, reaching #1 on Billboard in 1946
Fun "Let It Snow" fact: The lyrics never explicitly reference Christmas
Interesting Jule Styne fact: He also composed the music for the musicals Gypsy and Funny Girl
4. "Silver Bells"
Composed by: Jay Livingston and Ray Evans in 1951
Originally written by: Jacob Harold Levison and Raymond Bernard Evans (their birth names)
First performed by: Bob Hope and Marilyn Maxwell in the film The Lemon Drop Kid
Popularized by: Bing Crosby and Carol Richards
Interesting "Silver Bells" fact: The song draws inspiration from the Salvation Army bell ringers, making it one of the rare Christmas tunes centered on urban life rather than the typical rural backdrop
5. "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch"
Written by: Albert Hague in 1966 (with lyrics by Dr. Seuss, naturally)
Originally composed by: Albert Marcuse, who was born in Berlin but raised Lutheran under the surname Hague to escape the intense anti-Semitism of the 1920s/30s (He fled Europe just in time, arriving in America in 1939)
Popularized by: Thurl Arthur Ravenscroft, known for his work with Disney and as the voice of Frosted Flakes!
Fascinating Albert Hague fact: He was also an actor, appearing in both the movie and TV series Fame, where he portrayed the character Shorofsky
Buzz
