With the holidays upon us, movie lovers will likely return to a few Christmas classics, like Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer. There's nothing quite like curling up with some hot chocolate or other favorite holiday-themed beverage and enjoying the ambiance created by these timeless favorites. Some have been spreading holiday cheer for the better part of a century, while others made their mark only recently.
Over the years, the influence of these films has stretched further than television screens. Some of the songs written specifically for these Christmas movies have begun to stand on their own, becoming just as much a staple for holiday radio stations as they were for their films. From "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" to "Where Are You Christmas," several iconic songs were first heard in a movie and have since become holiday favorites.
"Christmas Time Is Here" - A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
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Some of the best lessons about Christmas come from the quotes in A Charlie Brown Christmas. The 1965 holiday special was one of the first produced for television in the United States. It inspired audiences to rethink the important aspects of the season (and give uglier Christmas trees a second chance).
The special featured two versions of the original song "Christmas Time is Here" by Vince Guaraldi and Lee Mendelson. The first instrumental version was performed by the Vince Guaraldi Trio. However, it was the second version performed by the St. Paul's Episcopal Church Children's Choir that is most frequently heard on the radio during Christmas.
"Silver And Gold" - Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
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While the song "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" was already well known before the release of the 1964 film of the same name, several other songs were composed specifically for the film. As Rudolph traveled the arctic searching for his place in the world, he met many colorful characters, each of which had a unique song to sing.
The film's entirety was narrated by one such character, Sam the Snowman, who also performed: "Silver and Gold." The now classic song was sung by Burl Ives, who had given his voice to the felt snowman. It may not have been the most exciting musical number of the film, but it left its mark on the season all the same.
"White Christmas" - Holiday Inn (1942)
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No matter the climate in which a person lives, they cannot help but sing about their dreams of a "White Christmas." For many, the song has been a holiday staple since before they were born, and they may not even be familiar with the movie from which the song originates.
Holiday Inn stars singing legend Bing Crosby who plays Jim, a performer who dreams of leaving his life on the stage to open a country hotel. The 1942 musical includes the original song written by Irving Berlin and performed by Crosby, "White Christmas." The number was an instant success, winning the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
"Where Are You Christmas?" - Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
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The 2000 live-action How the Grinch Stole Christmas was a funnier version of the Dr. Seuss classic that earned mixed reviews from audiences. However, even those who preferred the old classic couldn't help up fall in love with the song performed by little Cindy Lou Who.
"Where Are You Christmas" was written for the film by James Horner, Will Jennings, and Mariah Carey. It was performed in the film by actress and singer Taylor Momsen. However, a ballad version of the song was recorded by Faith Hill for the credits.
"You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch" - How The Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)
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The 1966 film How the Grinch Stole Christmas features an unlikely Christmas hero, the Grinch. The character is a creation of the beloved writer, Theodor "Dr. Seuss" Geisel, who also penned the original song "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch," which became a fast holiday favorite after the short film's release.
The song describes the despicable nature of the Grinch before his heart grew three sizes (thanks to the inspiring attitude of the Whos), and was sung by Thurl Ravenscroft, the voice behind the Kellogg's® Frosted Flakes® mascot, Tony the Tiger.
"Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" - Meet Me In St. Louis (1944)
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The general public is more likely to have heard the song "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" than have seen the film from which it originates. Meet Me in St. Louis is an MGM musical comedy that follows four sisters, one of which was played by singing legend Judy Garland, leading up to the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair.
The film's original song, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," was written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane, who reportedly (via NPR) wrote, threw away, and rewrote the pieces several times before it became the iconic song audiences know today.
"The Snow Miser Song" & "The Heat Miser Song" - A Year Without A Santa Claus (1974)
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While technically two different songs, "The Snow Miser Song" and "The Heat Miser Song" are often lumped as one. Today, it is a common sound used for fun makeup transformation videos on TikTok, but it originally comes from the stop-motion film, A Year Without a Santa Claus.
Based on the Phyllis McGinley book of the same name (1956), this Rankin/Bass film follows two elves as they try to bring the spirit of Christmas back to the world and convince Santa that he is still needed. While on their journey, they meet the Heat and Snow Misers (voiced by George S. Irving and Dick Shawn, respectively), who perform their songs.
"Somewhere In My Memory" - Home Alone (1990)
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There are several unanswered questions about the Home Alone movies, such as how parents could forget their child so many times. But the franchise still managed to become an unlikely holiday favorite. What could have been a simple, slap-stick comedy for children was elevated by its musical score to a perfect portrayal of holiday spirit.
"Somewhere in My Memory" was composed by legend John Williams, known for his work in films like Star Wars, Harry Potter, Jurrasic Park, and Indiana Jones. Needless to say, Home Alone was all but guaranteed to be a success once he signed on, which is why the "Home Alone song" is a difficult one to forget.
"What's This?" - The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
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Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas can be categorized as both a Halloween and Christmas movie and contains songs that perfectly exemplify (and blend) the moods of both holidays. This allowed audiences with an affinity for the dark and spooky to finally find their place in the season of light and joy.
The film contains ten songs written by Oingo Boingo frontman Danny Elfman. While actor Chris Sarandon lent his voice to the character Jack Skellington, Elfman did his musical performances, such as in the song "What's This."
"Believe" - The Polar Express (2004)
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The events of Polar Express make little logical sense, which is precisely the point. Based on the children's book of the same name by Chris Van Allsburg, the story follows a boy who is beginning to doubt the existence of Santa Claus. Through his journey to the North Pole, he learns the importance of simply believing.
"Believe" was written for the credits by Glen Ballard and Alan Silvestri, and it caught on quickly in popular culture. Performed by Josh Groban, "Believe" was nominated at the 77th Academy Awards for Best Original Song. It also earned a Grammy Award and Golden Globe for Best Song Written for Motion Picture in 2006.
