“White Christmas” is a holiday song which was first introduced in the 1942 film Holiday Inn, where it was performed by Bing Crosby and Martha Mears.http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0034862/soundtrack "White Christmas" subsequently won the “Best Original Song” at the Academy Awards in 1943.http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0034862/awards Bing Crosby reprised the song in the 1954 film White Christmas, first in a solo rendition, and later alongside fellow actors Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera-Ellen.http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047673/soundtrack The original music and lyrics were composed by Irving Berlin.http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0034862/soundtrack Since 1942, the Christmas song has been adapted numerous times by several artists, including Michael Bublé (Let It Snow! album) and Martina McBride (White Christmas album).http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-music&field-keywords=white+christmas&x=0&y=0
The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) listed “White Christmas” as the fifth most performed holiday song in America in 2007.http://www.ascap.com/press/2007/111207_holiday.aspx From October to December 2010, the holiday song “White Christmas," performed by Bing Crosby, had played 26,929 times on American radio stations, ranking fifth amongst holiday songs with the most airplay.http://www.ascap.com/press/2010/1201_Holiday_Songs.aspx Only “Sleigh Ride” (Leroy Anderson), “Winter Wonderland” (Eurythmics), “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” (Andy Williams), and “Jingle Bell Rock” (Bobby Helms) received more airplay during the early 2010 holiday season.http://www.ascap.com/press/2010/1201_Holiday_Songs.aspx
"White Christmas" Lyrics
The lyrics to the original song "White Christmas" are as follows:
- I’m dreaming of a white Christmas
- Just like the ones I used to know
- Where the tree tops glisten and children listen
- To hear sleigh bells in the snow
- I’m dreaming of a white Christmas
- With every Christmas card I write
- May your days be merry and bright
- And may all your Christmases be whitehttp://www.carols.org.uk/white_christmas.htm
White Christmas Lyrics
Guitarist and singer Julie Meyers sings the classic Christmas song "White Christmas." This short, 1:52 presentation gives viewers an insight into all of the lyrics for this song. This video is part of a wider range of Christmas and music videos which are available on the Mahalo.com channel of YouTube.
How to Play White Christmas on Guitar
Jen Trani returns for another Mahalo.com video. This time, she teaches viewers how to play the Christmas classic, "White Christmas". Viewers can watch Trani to learn all the Guitar chords and everything they will need to master this song. This video is part of a series of learn how to play Christmas songs on Guitar published on the Mahalo channel of YouTube.
Christmas Music, Carols, and Songs
Hip Hop and Rap Christmas Songs
Information on rap and hip hop alternatives to traditional Christmas music is presented here. The songs mentioned are described as “relatively lighthearted” and “hard core.” Albums such as “Ludacrismas” and “Christmas on Death Row” are highlighted. Information on how to find rap and hip hop singles and albums is also included.
Spanish Christian Music
Spanish Christian Music is a video which provides information about the choice of options available for Spanish language music for Christmas. Discussed ar classics such as "Feliz Navidad" and also the large variety of English songs, which have been translated into Spanish. The video is part of a wide range of Christmas and music related videos, which are published on the Mahalo.com channel of YouTube.
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas Lyrics
Mahalo guitarist Julie Meyers leads this tutorial teaching the lyrics to "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas", a traditional holiday carol. Julie accompanies herself on the guitar as she sings. Lyrics are available at the bottom of the video to allow viewers to keep up and sing along with Ms Meyers.
How to Play Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer on Guitar
Jen Trani teaches viewers how to play the Christmas song, Rudolph the Red-Nosed reindeer on Guitar. Closeup shots of the guitar chords allow viewers to learn as the song is played. This video is part of a series of learn how to play Christmas songs on Guitar published on the Mahalo channel of YouTube.
How to Play the Chipmunk Song "Christmas Don't be Late" on Guitar
Jen Trani celebrates Christmas with both voice and guitar in this video. She teaches listeners how to play the chords of the song "Christmas Don't Be Late" from the Chipmunks. This video is part of a series of learn how to play Christmas songs on Guitar published on the Mahalo channel of YouTube.
How to Play Frosty The Snowman on Guitar
Guitarist and Vocalist Jen Trani teachers viewers how to play the song "Frosty the Snowman." Closeup shots of Trani's hands provide viewers with the chance to learn the chords as they are being played. This video is part of a series of learn how to play Christmas songs on Guitar published on the Mahalo channel of YouTube.
How to Play Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas on Guitar
Viewers of this video can learn how to play the Christmas song "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" on Guitar. All the chords are shown. Jen Trani walks viewers through this skill so they can play this to friends and family this Christmas. This video is part of a series of videos that teach viewers how to play Christmas songs on guitar. The videos are published on the Mahalo channel of YouTube.
References
Meet Our Experts
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Jen Trani
Meet Jen, one of Mahalo's guitar experts. Born and raised in Denver, Jen Trani has been playing guitar in all styles since the age of 13. Having earned her bachelor's degree in music performance from the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles, Trani teaches guitar and plays lead with several bands. She also appeared in the Shirelles-inspired '60s musical ''Baby It's You,'' ''The Price Is Right,'' and is the composer for an online series of video shorts.
Fast Facts
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Composer
Irving Berlin
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Written
1940
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Originally performed by
Bing Crosby in the 1942 film Holiday Inn
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Reprised by
Bing Crosby in the 1954 film White Christmas
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Academy Award
Best Original Song (1943)
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Other languages
Has been performed in Hungarian, Japanese, Swahili and Yiddish
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Movie connection
One of a handful of holiday songs introduced by a motion picture, along with "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" from Meet Me in St. Louis (1944), and "Silver Bells" from The Lemon Drop Kid (1950)
