Monday, December 19, 2016

Best Selling Christmas Album? ELVIS!

This year, there are too many elves and not enough Elvis!
The best selling Christmas album in the USA is by Elvis Presley, released in October, 1957.    It was his fourth studio album and his first Christmas one. Titled "Elvis' Christmas Album", it featured eight Christmas songs and four gospel songs. 

This is the playlist:

Side 1:  1-  "Santa Claus Is Back In Town" (written by Lieber and
               and Stoller, the same songwriters that wrote "Hound
               Dog" and "Jailhouse Rock.".  
              2- "White Christmas"  (written by Irving Berlin, who was
                                                not pleased by this rendition by Elvis,
                                                 and tried to have it banned on the
                                                  radio!)
               3- "Here Comes Santa Claus"
               4- "I'll Be Home For Christmas"
               5- "Blue Christmas"
               6- "Santa Bring My Baby Back To Me"

Side 2:   1-   "O Little Town of Bethlehem"
               2-  "Silent Night"
               3- "(There Will Be) Peace In the Valley"
               4- "I Believe"
                5-  "Take My Hand, Precious Lord"
                6-  "It Is No Secret"


I can understand that Irving Berlin might have been a bit upset by the treatment of "White Christmas", but Elvis was not the first one to sing it arranged in this way.  The Drifters had a hit with the same song on the R&B charts in 1954 and 1955 and it sounds very similar. (You might remember it from the movie, "Home Alone".)  Elvis must have liked the Drifters' version!  (Besides, Irving Berlin should have realized, a Southern boy like Elvis would not have known a white Christmas and it makes sense that he might like to sing it in a tongue in cheek manner!)

As for the rest of the songs, the hymns and the gospel songs...I believe that you can hear the sincerity in Elvis' voice.  It comes across loud and clear to me, even though this was recorded almost 60 years ago.
"Silent Night" and "O Little Town Of Bethlehem" were arranged by Elvis Presley.

Oh! I do have more to say about these songs!  (You do know how much I like to tell you about songwriters.)  That will have to wait until another post!   

Of course, you know I found the entire album for you on YouTube.
Enjoy!  And thank you, thank you very much!




Since Elvis has the best selling American Christmas album of all time, we need to be hearing more of his songs on the radio other than "Blue Christmas".  By the way, the world wide sales of this album is 15 million!  

Merry Christmas from me ...and Elvis! 



33 comments:

  1. That is a good album. All the songs are good. Elvis sings "It Is No Secret" better than anyone else.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elvis sings almost any song better than anyone!

      Delete
  2. Too many elves and not enough Elvis. Can't think of a better line.
    Amalia
    xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HA, HA...now, you will have to see what TV personality will steal that line from me! :-)

      Delete
  3. Now I am imagining you at home, preparing things for Christmas while listening to this album, and singing along all the time - wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh me, when I get off work these days, I have so little energy. I wish I could bustle around in the evenings and get things done!

      Delete
  4. Replies
    1. Thanks but of course, you know that Elvis always said there was only one King! Merry Christmas, Debra!

      Delete
  5. Merry Christmas to you and your family, Kay....I did not know this was the best selling Christmas album in the US! Thank you for telling us. I'm tempted to order it, though I don't think it would come soon enough for Christmas Day. Maybe for next year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh yes, get it for next year! Merry Christmas to you and yours!

      Delete
  6. More surprising music info from you Kay! I had no idea this album had sold so well. My two favourite Christmas albums are "Christmas Night" with John Rutter and the Cambridge Singers (of course), and the soundtrack to A Charlie Brown Christmas.

    I read your last several posts - Eastbourne and Beachy Head look lovely. (I think Mr. M and I glimpsed both in a Foyle's War episode we watched the other night on Acorn.)

    I'm so sorry to hear about your loss of a family member. It is hard when people go at this time of year. We lost a friend last week - a dear quiet lady who will never be famous but who left behind an amazing legacy of loving Christian service to family, friends, and strangers. It's hard to stop thinking about these dear ones.

    A blessed Christmas to you and yours.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have quite a few albums of English choirs singing Christmas carols and you know I have the Charlie Brown Christmas music!
      And you are correct, they did film some episodes of Foyle's War in Eastbourne, we were so excited when we recognized Eastbourne! Well spotted, Sue!!
      Happy Christmas to you, my friend and a happy new year. xx

      Delete
  7. Elvis is a favorite of mine and I do have his Christmas album and play it often!

    ReplyDelete
  8. You've brought back memories of my youth! Have a Christmas filled with love and a wonderful 2017!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Love to you at Christmas and the new year too!

      Delete
  9. Elvis was a Southern Gospel singer, and sounded like it!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I actually heard an Elvis Christmas tune on our way home from Chicago this past weekend...and it wasn't Blue Christmas! I'm surprised he was the biggest seller since so many greats had Christmas albums. Thanks for the info! Have a good week this busy time before the big day! Oh, I almost forgot to mention that I love your header pic...very festive...and you and Elvis are adorable together!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Don't laugh at my little tree from last year! My tree this year is even smaller! LOL!
      Elvis and me...I am convinced I am related to him, he looks too much like some of my male relatives! :-)
      Merry Christmas!

      Delete
  11. I love that photo of you. And I especially love your smile!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Martha, you are so sweet! I was so thrilled to see that poster of Elvis and like a nut, I asked Richard to take my photo beside it!

      Delete
  12. Ah...the one and only Elvis...the King!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. This evening when my son Andy and I were playing our double solitaire we played (streamed) this album. Wonderful! Thank you, Kay!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This makes me happy that you listened to this.
      Thank you, thank you very much! :-)

      Delete
  14. I know this might sound crazy, but I don't think I've heard Elvis' rendition of White Christmas. Very interesting. I've always loved everything Elvis did so however he wants to sing anything is fine with me. And I'm loving that photo of you too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Kay! And I didn't say, but I might go back and add it...White Christmas by the Drifters were used in the movie, "Home Alone", so you might remember that one, it is much like the way Elvis did it here.

      Delete
  15. Replies
    1. Merry Christmas to you, John. Wishing you good health in 2017. x

      Delete