Throwback Video Of The Week: Burl Ives “Have A Holly Jolly Christmas”
Burl Ives (1909 - 1995) folk singer and actor. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
“Have a Holly Jolly Christmas” was written by Johnny Marks in 1962, and has been recorded by many artists over the years, but there’s one version that has stood the test of time. But it almost didn’t happen.
The song was featured in the 1964 Rankin-Bass Christmas special, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, in which Burl Ives voiced the narrator, ‘Sam the Snowman.’ According to Songfacts, Ives was brought in for his star power and to record some songs that had originally been intended for the ‘Yukon Cornelius’ character.
It turned out to be a great decision. “Have a Holly Jolly Christmas” reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100. It continues to be enjoyed every holiday season all over the world.
Phil Harris is 50% of "Phil & Mel in the Afternoon" on K104.7. He has been with the station since 2013 and on the air in Charlotte since 2000. Before coming to the Queen City, Phil worked for radio stations in Pittsburgh, Austin, and Seattle. In addition to the weekly "Throwback Threesome" music video feature, Phil writes about things that matter to Charlotte sports fans and pet owners. He happens to be both.
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