The Definitive American Songbook: A Vintage Christmas

~ Release by Various Artists (see all versions of this release, 1 available)

Tracklist

1▼CD
#TitleArtistRatingLength
1The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)
double bass:
Johnny Miller (part of the Nat King Cole Trio) (on 1946-08-19)
drums (drum set):
Jack “The Bear” Parker (US jazz drummer & bandleader) (on 1946-08-19)
guitar:
Oscar Moore (on 1946-08-19)
piano:
Nat King Cole (on 1946-08-19)
vocals:
Nat King Cole (on 1946-08-19)
conductor:
Charles R. Grean (on 1946-08-19)
recorded at:
WMCA Studios in New York, New York, United States (on 1946-08-19)
cover recording of:
The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) (on 1946-08-19)
lyricist:
Robert Wells (songwriter) (in 1945-07) and Mel Tormé (“The Velvet Fog”) (in 1945-07)
composer:
Mel Tormé (“The Velvet Fog”) (in 1945-07)
publisher:
Chappell/Morris Ltd., MPL Music Publishing Inc., Sony/ATV Music Publishing Australia Pty Ltd., Sony/ATV Tunes LLC (ASCAP), Warner Chappell, Warner Chappell Ltd., Warner Chappell Music (holding behind all publishing activities of Warner Music Group, 2019–), Warner/Chappell Music Australia Pty. Ltd. and Edwin H. Morris & Co., Inc. (a division of MPL Communications Inc.) (from 1946 to present)
The King Cole Trio3:13
2Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)
part of:
Billboard Hot 100: 2026-01-03 (number: 22), Billboard Hot 100: 2025-12-20 (number: 28), Billboard Hot 100: 2025-12-27 (number: 28), Billboard Hot 100: 2025-12-13 (number: 32) and Billboard Hot 100: 2025-12-06 (number: 42)
recording of:
Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) (on 1947-08-28)
lyricist and composer:
Gene Autry (“The Singing Cowboy”), Oakley Haldeman (songwriter) and Harriett Melka
writer:
Oakley Haldeman (songwriter) and Harriett Melka
publisher:
Campbell Connelly & Co., EMI Davis Music Australia Pty Limited, Remick Music Corp., Warner Bros. Music Corp. and Gene Autry Music Publishing, Inc. (on 1947-11-20)
Gene Autry42:33
3Sleigh Ride
recording of:
Sleigh Ride (original instrumental version)
composer:
Leroy Anderson (until 1948-02-10)
publisher:
Mills Music
Louis Castellucci & The Capitol Symphonic Band3:00
4It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Capitol Records, Inc. (not for release label use; US company behind the “Capitol Records” imprint) (in 1963)
part of:
Billboard Hot 100: 2026-01-03 (number: 18), Billboard Hot 100: 2025-12-20 (number: 22), Billboard Hot 100: 2025-12-27 (number: 23), Billboard Hot 100: 2025-12-13 (number: 24) and Billboard Hot 100: 2025-12-06 (number: 38)
recording of:
It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas (on 1951-09-10)
lyricist and composer:
Meredith Willson (in 1951)
publisher:
Frank Music Corp., Kobalt Music Publishing Australia Pty Ltd, Meredith Willson Music LLC, MPL Communications Australia and MPL Music Publishing
Perry Como & The Fontane Sisters32:39
5I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
recording of:
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
lyricist and composer:
Tommie Connor (English songwriter)
publisher:
Blue Ribbon Music Ltd., Campbell Connelly, E. H. Morris & Co. Ltd., Herman Music, Inc., Jewel Music Publishing Co., Inc. (publisher; do NOT use as release label) and Regent Music (BMI)
Jimmy Boyd2:33
6Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
recording of:
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
lyricist:
Sammy Cahn (in 1945-07)
composer:
Jule Styne (in 1945-07)
publisher:
Cahn Music Company, Chappell & Co., Chappell/Morris Ltd., Cherry Lane Music Ltd., Imagen Music, J. Albert & Son Pty. Ltd., Producers Music Publishing Co., Warner Chappell Music Ltd. (no slash; used 1988–1996), Warner Chappell North America and WB Music Corp. (1929–2019)
Vaughn Monrow & His Orchestra3:09
7I’ll Be Home for Christmas
recording of:
I’ll Be Home for Christmas
lyricist:
James Kimball Gannon
additional writer:
Buck Ram
composer:
Walter Kent
publisher:
Chappell Music Ltd., Edward B. Marks Music Co. (founded originally as J. Stern & Co. in 1894, renamed in 1919), Gannon and Kent Music Co., Piedmont Music Company, Warner Chappell and Warner Chappell Music (holding behind all publishing activities of Warner Music Group, 2019–)
sub-publisher:
ヤマハミュージックエンタテインメントホールディングス (Yamaha Music Entertainment Holdings, Inc., holding company – do not use as release label) and ワーナー・チャペル音楽出版 Synch事業部 (Warner/Chappell Music Japan K.K., Synch Division)
Bing Crosby52:57
8Jingle Bells
performer:
Les Paul
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Capitol Records, Inc. (not for release label use; US company behind the “Capitol Records” imprint) (in 1951)
instrumental recording of:
Jingle Bells
lyricist and composer:
James Lord Pierpont (in 1850)
publisher:
Warner Chappell Music Ltd. (no slash; used 1988–1996)
composed at and lyrics written at:
Simpson Tavern in Medford, Massachusetts, United States (in 1850)
recording of:
Jingle Bells
lyricist and composer:
James Lord Pierpont (in 1850)
publisher:
Warner Chappell Music Ltd. (no slash; used 1988–1996)
composed at and lyrics written at:
Simpson Tavern in Medford, Massachusetts, United States (in 1850)
cover recording of:
Jingle Bells
lyricist and composer:
James Lord Pierpont (in 1850)
publisher:
Warner Chappell Music Ltd. (no slash; used 1988–1996)
composed at and lyrics written at:
Simpson Tavern in Medford, Massachusetts, United States (in 1850)
Les Paul1:36
9Silver Bells
recording of:
Silver Bells (Christmas song)
lyricist and composer:
Ray Evans (American songwriter) and Jay Livingston
publisher:
Famous Music Corporation (renamed since 2007‐05 as Sony/ATV Harmony/Melody), Famous Music Publishing Limited (renamed into BMG FM Music Ltd. on 2013-05-13), Jay Livingston Music Inc., Paramount Music Corporation, Sony/ATV Music Publishing Australia Pty Ltd. and Sony/ATV Harmony (in 1950)
sub-publisher:
Sony/ATV Harmony Canada and ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング A事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., A Division)
Bob & Dolores Hope2:35
10Rudolph the Red‐Nosed Reindeer
vocals:
Gene Autry (“The Singing Cowboy”)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Sony Music Entertainment (NOT FOR RELEASE LABEL USE! company owned by Sony Corporation of America since Oct 1, 2008; operates worldwide except in JP)
part of:
Billboard Hot 100: 2026-01-03 (number: 30), Billboard Hot 100: 2025-12-20 (number: 35), Billboard Hot 100: 2025-12-27 (number: 35) and Billboard Hot 100: 2025-12-13 (number: 37)
recording of:
Rudolph, the Red‐Nosed Reindeer (on 1949-06-27)
lyricist and composer:
Johnny Marks (American songwriter)
publisher:
Chappell & Co Ltd., Chappell Music Ltd., Warner Chappell, Warner Chappell Music (holding behind all publishing activities of Warner Music Group, 2019–), Warner/Chappell Music Ltd. (1996–2019), St. Nicholas Music Publishing Co. (on 1949-05-09) and St. Nicholas Music Inc. (from 1950 to present)
arrangement of:
Rudolph, the Red‐Nosed Reindeer (for voice, choir and orchestra, Elms)
Gene Autry & The Pinafores3.53:11
11Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
cover recording of:
Santa Claus Is Coming to Town (in 1947-09)
lyricist:
Haven Gillespie (in 1932)
composer:
J. Fred Coots (in 1932)
publisher:
EMI Allans Music Australia Pty Ltd, EMI Feist Catalog Inc., EMI Music Publishing Australia Pty Ltd (not for release label use!), EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS‐affiliated), EMI United Partnership Ltd., Francis, Day & Hunter Ltd., Haven Gillespie Music Publishing, Jobete Music Co., Inc., Leo Feist Ltd, Leo Feist, Inc., SBK United Partnership and The Songwriters Guild
sub-publisher:
フジパシフィックミュージック SBK事業部 (Fujipacific Music SBK Department) and ヤマハミュージックエンタテインメントホールディングス (Yamaha Music Entertainment Holdings, Inc., holding company – do not use as release label)
Johnny Mercer & The Pied Pipers2:46
12There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays
recording engineer:
Bob Simpson (US jazz engineer/producer) (from 1959-07-13 until 1959-07-15)
producer:
Charles Grean and Lee Schapiro
choir vocals:
The Ray Charles Singers (from 1959-07-13 until 1959-07-15)
vocals:
Perry Como (US pop singer & TV personality, 1912–2001) (from 1959-07-13 until 1959-07-15)
orchestra:
Mitchell Ayres and His Orchestra (from 1959-07-13 until 1959-07-15)
recorded at:
Webster Hall in East Village, New York, New York, United States (from 1959-07-13 until 1959-07-15)
part of:
Billboard Hot 100: 2026-01-03 (number: 38) and Billboard Hot 100: 2025-12-27 (number: 46)
recording of:
Home for the Holidays (on 1959-07-14)
lyricist:
Al Stillman
composer:
Robert Allen (US songwriter/arranger/pianist)
publisher:
Charlie Deitcher Productions, Inc., Kitty Anne Music Co., Inc., Music Sales Corporation (American copyright holder in both popular and classical music) and ミュージック・セールス (Music Sales, Japan, subsidiary of Shinko Music Entertainment)
Perry Como & The Ray Charles Singers42:57
13Winter Wonderland
recording of:
Winter Wonderland
lyricist:
Richard B. Smith (wrote lyrics to “Winter Wonderland”)
composer:
Felix Bernard
publisher:
Bregman, Vocco & Conn, Inc., EMI Music (do not use as release label! this is a music publisher), Francis, Day & Hunter, Redwood Music Ltd. (Carlin), Warner Chappell Music Inc., Warner/Chappell Music Australia Pty. Ltd., WB Music Corp. (1929–2019) (until 2019-05-28) and WC Music Corp. (from 2019-05-28 to present)
Johnny Mercer & The Pied Pipers2:56
14Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
recorded in:
Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States (on 1943-12-04)
producer:
Arthur Freed
vocals:
Judy Garland (on 1943-12-04)
orchestra:
M‐G‐M Studio Orchestra (on 1943-12-04)
conductor:
Georgie Stoll (on 1943-12-04)
recording of:
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (on 1943-12-04)
lyricist:
Ralph Blane (in 1943)
composer:
Hugh Martin (in 1943)
publisher:
EMI April Music Inc., EMI Feist Catalog Inc., EMI Music Publishing (do not use as a release label!), EMI Publishing, EMI United Partnership Ltd., J. Albert & Son, J. Albert & Son Pty. Ltd., Loew’s Incorporated (in 1943, in 1944) and Leo Feist, Inc. (in 1971, in 1972)
sub-publisher:
ヤマハミュージックエンタテインメントホールディングス (Yamaha Music Entertainment Holdings, Inc., holding company – do not use as release label), フジパシフィック音楽出版 SBK事業部 (Fujipacific Music Inc. SBK Division) (until 2014-12-31) and フジパシフィックミュージック SBK事業部 (Fujipacific Music SBK Department) (from 2015-01-01 to present)
part of:
Meet Me in St. Louis (1944 musical film soundtrack)
Judy Garland with Georgie Stoll & His Orchestra4.52:46
15Baby, It’s Cold Outside
producer:
Johnny Mercer
vocals:
Johnny Mercer (on 1949-03-18) and Margaret Whiting (on 1949-03-18)
orchestra:
Paul Weston and His Orchestra (on 1949-03-18)
recording of:
Baby, It’s Cold Outside (1948 song by Frank Loesser) (on 1949-03-18)
lyricist and composer:
Frank Loesser
publisher:
Frank Music Corp., Kobalt Music Publishing Australia Pty Ltd, MPL Communications Ltd. (not for release label use! Paul McCartney-related, London-based company), MPL UK Publishing, Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc. (song publisher, never a release label) and ヤマハミュージックEH(CM) (Yamaha Music EH(CM))
part of:
The 22nd Academy Award for Best Original Song (number: 1) and Academy Award for Best Original Song (number: 1949 winner)
Johnny Mercer & Margaret Whiting2:51
16White Christmas
recording of:
White Christmas
lyricist and composer:
Irving Berlin (from 1938 until 1940)
publisher:
Copyright Control (not for release label use! this is only for copyrights and publishing relationships), Irving Berlin Music Corp., Williamson Music Company and Irving Berlin Music Company (from 1940 to present)
sub-publisher:
EMI Allans Music Australia Pty Ltd, Irving Berlin Music Ltd., Universal Music Publishing Pty Ltd. (Australian subsidiary of Universal Music Publishing Group), Warner/Chappell Music Ltd. (1996–2019), Warner/Chappell Music, Hong Kong Limited (華納音樂版權香港有限公司, 1995–2019), シンコーミュージック・エンタテイメント (Shinko Music Entertainment Co., Ltd.) and ユニバーサル・ミュージック・パブリッシング Synch事業部 (Universal Music Publishing, Synch Division)
part of:
The 15th Academy Award for Best Original Song (number: 1) and Academy Award for Best Original Song (number: 1942 winner)
Jo Stafford with The Lyn Murray Singers3:02
17I Like a Sleigh Ride (Jingle Bells)
recording of:
Jingle Bells (on 1960-06-15)
lyricist and composer:
James Lord Pierpont (in 1850)
publisher:
Warner Chappell Music Ltd. (no slash; used 1988–1996)
composed at and lyrics written at:
Simpson Tavern in Medford, Massachusetts, United States (in 1850)
Peggy Lee2:05
18Zat You Santa Claus?
vocals:
Louis Armstrong
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Verve Music Group (now known as Verve Label Group; not for release label use!) (in 1963)
recording of:
Zat You, Santa Claus? (on 1953-10-22)
lyricist and composer:
Jack Fox
publisher:
Broude Brothers Limited
Louis Armstrong with The Commanders2:52
19What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?
producer:
Tom Morgan (producer)
bass:
Jimmy Bond
celesta and piano:
Jack Wilson (jazz pianist)
cello:
Edgar Lustgarten
drums (drum set):
Kenny Dennis
guitar:
Joe Pass (jazz guitarist)
strings:
George Poole
vocals:
Nancy Wilson (jazz/blues/soul singer)
remixer:
Malcolm Addey
arranger:
Gerald Wilson (US jazz trumpeter/bandleader/composer/arranger)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Capitol Records, Inc. (not for release label use; US company behind the “Capitol Records” imprint) (in 1995)
recorded at:
Capitol Studios (Hollywood, CA, founded 1956) in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States
cover recording of:
What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve
lyricist and composer:
Frank Loesser
publisher:
Edwin H. Morris & Co., Inc. (a division of MPL Communications Inc.), Frank Music Corp. (in 1947) and MPL Music Publishing Inc. (in 1947)
sub-publisher:
Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc. (song publisher, never a release label) and ヤマハミュージックEH(CM) (Yamaha Music EH(CM))
Nancy Wilson2:26
20The First Noel
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer)
conductor:
Ralph Carmichael
arranger:
Ralph Carmichael
cover recording of:
The First Noël
publisher:
William B. Sandys (in 1823, in 1833)
additional lyricist:
Davies Gilbert (in 1823)
lyricist and composer:
[traditional] (special purpose artist)
additional arranger:
John Stainer (in 1871)
arranger:
Davies Gilbert (in 1823)
part of:
The New English Hymnal (hymn book) (number: 36)
arrangement of:
The First Nowell
part of:
Meet Me in St. Louis (1944 musical film soundtrack)
Ella Fitzgerald1:49
21The Little Drummer Boy
choir vocals:
The Harry Simeone Chorale
recording of:
Carol of the Drum (aka “The Little Drummer Boy”)
lyricist and composer:
Katherine K. Davis (Katherine Kennicott Davis) (in 1941)
additional composer:
Henry Onorati (in 1958) and Harry Simeone (in 1958)
publisher:
EMI Mills Music (ASCAP-affiliated), International Korwin Corp., Warner Chappell, Warner Chappell Music (holding behind all publishing activities of Warner Music Group, 2019–), Belwin-Mills Publishing Corp. (in 1955) and Mills Music, Inc. (in 1964)
is based on:
Trad. (traditional Czech carol, became “Carol of the Drums”)
The Harry Simeone Chorale3:21
22The Christmas Waltz
cover recording of:
The Christmas Waltz (on 1960-06-15)
lyricist:
Sammy Cahn
composer:
Jule Styne
publisher:
Barton Music Corp., Cahn Music Company, Chappell & Co., Inc. (USA), EMI Music Publishing (WP) Ltd., Producers Music Publishing Co., Quaytor Productions LLC, Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc. (song publisher, never a release label), WB Music Corp. (1929–2019), WC Music Corp., Westminster Music Ltd., Windswept Pacific Music Ltd., ティー・アール・オー・エセックス・ジャパン A事業部 (TRO Essex Japan, A-Division) and フジパシフィックミュージック (Fujipacific Music, Inc.)
Peggy Lee2:54
23The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late)
conductor:
Ross Bagdasarian (Sr.; creator of Alvin and the Chipmunks)
arranger:
Ross Bagdasarian (Sr.; creator of Alvin and the Chipmunks)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
EMI Manhattan (Manhattan Records after Jul 1987 acquisition of EMI America) (in 1980)
recording of:
The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late)
lyricist and composer:
Ross Bagdasarian (Sr.; creator of Alvin and the Chipmunks) (in 1958)
publisher:
Armen Bagdasarian, Bagdasarian Productions LLC and Bourne Music Ltd.
David Seville & The Chipmunks32:24
24Auld Lang Syne
recording of:
Auld Lang Syne (original Scots version, lyrics by Robert Burns)
lyricist:
Robert Burns (18th century Scottish poet/lyricist) (in 1788)
composer:
[traditional] (special purpose artist)
publisher:
Songs of Universal, Inc. (BMI)
part of:
Roud Folk Song Index (number: 6294)
Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians2:08

Credits

Release

printed in:U.S.A.
manufactured by:Capitol Records, Inc. (not for release label use; US company behind the “Capitol Records” imprint)
copyrighted (©) by and phonographic copyright (℗) by:Liberty Records (a division of Capitol Records, Inc. since 1980 – not for release label use, but for copyrights and record company credits only) (in 2004)
ASIN:US: B000A2H4JI [info]