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The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)

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"The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)"
Picture sleeve of 1959 reissue single by Liberty Records (F-55250)
Single by Alvin and the Chipmunks and David Seville
from the album Let's All Sing with The Chipmunks
B-side
ReleasedNovember 17, 1958 source (Billboard 100 Edition Nov 17th 1958. Earliest Mention)
RecordedOctober 31, 1958
Genre
Length2:21
  • 2:15 (rock version)
LabelLiberty F-55168
Liberty F-55250
Songwriter(s)Ross Bagdasarian
Producer(s)Ross Bagdasarian
Alvin and the Chipmunks and David Seville singles chronology
"The Bird on My Head"
(1958) 		"The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)"
(1958) 		"Alvin's Harmonica"
(1959)
Alternate cover
1961 reissue, utilizing animated makeovers for The Alvin Show

"The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)" is a 1958 novelty Christmas song written and recorded by Ross Bagdasarian (under the stage name of David Seville). Bagdasarian sang the song, varying the tape speeds to produce high-pitched "chipmunk" voices, with the vocals credited to Alvin and the Chipmunks, Seville's cartoon virtual band[1] and later media franchise.[2] The song was nominated for Record of the Year in the 1st Annual Grammy Awards, where it also won three Awards.[3]

After the success of "Witch Doctor" in early 1958, Liberty Records asked Bagdasarian to create another successful novelty record. He then came up with three singing chipmunks named after Liberty Records executives.[4] In the song, the chipmunks Alvin, Simon, and Theodore express their lack of patience for the arrival of Christmas Day. "The Chipmunk Song" has been a staple on the Billboard charts and saved Liberty Records from near-bankruptcy.[5] It has been featured in many movies and television shows, including a prominent appearance in the successful 2007 live-action film Alvin and the Chipmunks. The song helped launch the multimillion-dollar Alvin and the Chipmunks brand and has been ranked by Billboard and The New York Times as one of the greatest Christmas songs of all time.[6][7][8]

Background

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"Witch Doctor"

[edit]
Main article: Witch Doctor (song)
Ross Bagdasarian in the 50s

In the early stages of his career, Ross Bagdasarian, a Broadway actor who'd been a pianist in Alfred Hitchcock's 1954 masterpiece Rear Window, was down to his last $200 when he purchased a specialized tape recorder that could adjust the speed of recordings. Experimenting with the device, he discovered a technique in which he recorded his slowly-sung voice at half speed and then played it back at normal speed, creating a high-pitched squeaky voice. This technique was pioneered on his successful 1958 novelty song “Witch Doctor”. In the song, the narrator asks a witch doctor for romantic advice because he has fallen in love with a girl; the witch doctor responds in a high-pitched squeaky voice with a nonsense incantation which creates an earworm. He used this technique on another pre-Chipmunks track, "Bird on My Head."[9][10][11] The song held number one for three weeks in the Billboard Hot 100 chart,[12][13] ranked by Billboard as the No. 4 song for 1958.[14][15]

The Chipmunks

[edit]

Bagdasarian later conceived the idea of Alvin and the Chipmunks, who were named, as an inside joke, after executives at Liberty Records; Alvin (named after Al Bennett), Simon (named after Simon Waronker), and Theodore (Ted Keep).[16][17][18] After its release on November 11 of that year, "The Chipmunk Song" remained on the charts for 13 weeks, including four weeks at number one. The song earned three Grammy Awards and was later adapted into a short for The Alvin Show. In 2007, following the release of the live-action Alvin and the Chipmunks film, the song reappeared on the charts nearly five decades after its initial success. Bagdasarian performed as both David Seville and the voices of all three Chipmunks.[19]

Context and performance

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The song was released on November 17, 1958. Although initially featured on American Bandstand's "Rate-A-Record" segment with the lowest possible rating of 35 across the board,[20] "The Chipmunk Song" became a number one hit by New Year's Day.[21] One phrase in the chorus has Alvin wishing for a hula hoop, which was that year's hot new toy.[22][23][24] The novelty record was highly successful, selling 4.5 million copies in seven weeks,[17] eventually selling 12 million copies.[25] Bagdasarian performed the song at The Ed Sullivan Show.[26]

As of 2011, total sales were estimated at 867,000 copies, making The Chipmunk Song among the top 20 Best-Selling Christmas songs of all time.[27][28][29] The song was the 23rd most performed Christmas song of the 20th century.[30]

Chart performance

[edit]

It spent four weeks at Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart[31][32][33] from December 22, 1958, to January 12, 1959, succeeding "To Know Him Is to Love Him" at Number 1 on the same chart by the Teddy Bears. "The Chipmunk Song" appeared on the Chipmunks' debut album, Let's All Sing with the Chipmunks, in 1959, and was repeated on Christmas with the Chipmunks, released in 1962. It was the only Christmas record to reach No. 1 on the same chart until Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" did so 61 years later in 2019.[34][35][36] In 1958, it won Grammy Awards for Best Comedy Performance, Best Children's Recording,[37][38] and Best Engineered Record (non-classical).[39][40][41][42][43]

The song was certified Gold by the RIAA as one of the best-selling physical Christmas singles in the United States.[44] Between 1958 and 1962, the single re-entered the Hot 100 several times, peaking at No. 41 in 1958, No. 45 in 1960, and No. 39 in 1962. (Starting in 1963, Billboard would list recurrent Christmas songs on a separate chart.) The song charted on the Hot Digital Songs for the first time in 2005, peaking at No. 35. With the release and popularity of the live-action film Alvin and the Chipmunks in 2007, "The Chipmunk Song" re-entered the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 70. At the same time, a remixed version of the song that appears on the Chipmunks' 2007 album (and soundtrack to the film) Alvin and the Chipmunks: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, peaked at No. 66.

[edit]

The original recording of the song is included in Look Who's Talking Now! (1993),[45] Donnie Brasco (1997),[46][47] an episode of The King of Queens (1998)[48] and The Fate of the Furious (2017).[49] Bob Rivers released a parody of the song for his 2000 Christmas album Chipmunks Roasting on an Open Fire.[50] Norah Jones recorded a cover of the song for her 2021 Christmas album, I Dream of Christmas.[51]

Track listing

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Original 1958 release

[edit]
No.TitleCredited artistLength
1."The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)" (Ross Bagdasarian Sr.)David Seville and The Chipmunks2:17
2."Almost Good" (Ross Bagdasarian Sr., Mark McIntyre)The Music of David Seville2:02

1959 reissue

[edit]

All tracks are written by Ross Bagdasarian Sr.

No.TitleCredited artistLength
1."The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)"David Seville and The Chipmunks2:17
2."Alvin's Harmonica"David Seville and The Chipmunks2:39

1961 reissue

[edit]

All tracks are written by Ross Bagdasarian Sr.

No.TitleCredited artistLength
1."The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)"Alvin, Simon and Theodore with David Seville2:17
2."Alvin's Harmonica"Alvin, Simon and Theodore with David Seville2:39

See also

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References

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  1. ^ ""The Chipmunk Song" Turns 60: Secrets of a Holiday Novelty Smash". The Hollywood Reporter. 21 December 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  2. ^ "Justice For "The Chipmunk Song": 10 Reasons It Will Always Be A Christmas Classic". Grammy Awards. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  3. ^ "1958 Grammy Winners". Recording Academy. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  4. ^ "Canned Heat and The Chipmunks: A Musical Christmas Story". UNREMEMBERED. 2 December 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  5. ^ "Animation: The History of the Chipmunks". Animation Resources. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
  6. ^ "The 100 Best Christmas Songs of All Time: Staff List". Billboard. 22 December 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  7. ^ "Greatest of All Time Holiday 100 Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  8. ^ "Top 100 Christmas songs ranked: Ray Charles … at No. 1?". The New York Times. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  9. ^ Kelly, Michael Bryan (1993). Liberty Records: A History of the Recording Company and Its Stars, 1955–1971. McFarland. p. 44. ISBN 9780899507408.
  10. ^ Bronson, Fred (1997). The Billboard Book of Number One Hits. Billboard Books. p. 36. ISBN 9780823076413.
  11. ^ The Oxford Handbook of Music and Virtuality. Oxford University Press. 2016. p. 132. ISBN 9780199321285.
  12. ^ "Chipmunk: Lighting Can Strike Twice". Billboard. December 1, 1958. p. 11.
  13. ^ Ripani, Richard J. (2009). The New Blue Music: Changes in Rhythm & Blues, 1950–1999. University Press of Mississippi. ISBN 9781496801289.
  14. ^ "Number One Song of the Year: 1946–2014". Bob Borst's Home of Pop Culture. March 9, 2023.
  15. ^ "The Number Ones: The Chipmunks & David Seville's "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)"". Stereogum. 25 January 2018. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  16. ^ Pantera, Gabrielle (2009-09-29). "DVD: Alvin and the Chipmunks TV Shows". Hollywood Today. Archived from the original on 12 June 2010. Retrieved 15 April 2011.
  17. ^ a b "Alvin and the Chipmunks – A Six Decade Success Story" (PDF). Los Angeles City Council. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  18. ^ Korkis, Jim (2013-04-05). "Animation Anecdotes #104". Cartoon Research. Retrieved 2021-12-19.
  19. ^ "Alvin and the Chipmunks History: Novelty Born from a Sound Effect". Tedium. 18 December 2018. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  20. ^ Clark, Dick; Robinson, Richard (1976). Rock, Roll and Remember. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Company.
  21. ^ Beck, Jerry (2005). The Animated Movie Guide. Chicago Review Press. p. 53.
  22. ^ "Advertisement, Los Angeles Mirror". Los Angeles Mirror. June 16, 1958. p. 6.
  23. ^ ""New Craze Is Rock and Ring"". Liverpool Echo. August 7, 1957. p. 10.
  24. ^ ""The Cane Means Fun"". The Age (Melbourne). July 20, 1957. p. 5.
  25. ^ Tyler, Don (2008). Music of the postwar era. Greenwood Press. pp. 99–100. ISBN 9780313341915.
  26. ^ "The Foote Files: The Holidays With Alvin & The Chipmunks". CBS News. 23 December 2019. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  27. ^ "Christmas Music: The Top 20 Best-Selling Christmas Songs of All Time". Newsweek. 10 December 2019. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  28. ^ "'All I Want for Christmas Is You' Will Become the Biggest Song of All Time". The Daily Beast. 6 December 2023. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
  29. ^ Grein, Paul (2011-12-28). "Week Ending Dec. 25, 2011. Songs: Bringing "Sexy" Back". Yahoo! Music. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved 2011-12-29.
  30. ^ According to the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Crump, William D. (2013). The Christmas Encyclopedia (3rd ed.). McFarland. p. 71. ISBN 9781476605739.
  31. ^ "How 'The Chipmunk Song' became an unlikely Christmas megahit". The Washington Post. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  32. ^ "The Number Ones: The Chipmunks & David Seville's "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't be Late)"". 25 January 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  33. ^ "Holiday Flashback: 'The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't be Late)'". December 2015. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  34. ^ "Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas Is You reaches US No 1 after 25 years". The Guardian. 17 December 2019. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
  35. ^ "Wish Come True: Mariah Carey's 'All I Want for Christmas Is You' Hits No. 1 on Hot 100 After 25-Year Wait". Billboard. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  36. ^ Trust, Gary (December 31, 2018). "Mariah Carey's 'Christmas' Climbs to No. 3 on Billboard Hot 100, Ariana Grande's 'Next' Leads for Seventh Week". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 12, 2019. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
  37. ^ "Past Winners Search". Grammy.Com.
  38. ^ "Grammy Awards 1959". Awards & Shows.
  39. ^ O'Neil, Tom (4 May 2009). "Today in 1959: First Grammy Awards handed out". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 29 Nov 2009.[permanent dead link‍]
  40. ^ https://www.grammy.com/news/the-chipmunk-song-christmas-dont-be-late-anniversary-legacy-facts. Retrieved 3 December 2024. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  41. ^ "How Much Does the Chipmunks' Christmas Song Earn Every Year?". Billboard. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  42. ^ "Sinatra To The Chipmunks: 7 Things To Know About The 1st GRAMMY Awards". Grammy Awards. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  43. ^ Dessem, Matthew (12 February 2017). "A Look Back at the Most Legendary Grammy Wins of All Time". Slate.
  44. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Christmas in the Charts (1920–2004). Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. p. 27. ISBN 0-89820-161-6.
  45. ^ "Hollywood Is Seasoning Films With Holiday Gimmicks". The New York Times. 19 December 1993. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  46. ^ "10 Facts About 'A Chipmunk Christmas' That'll Make You Want A Hula Hoop". Throwbacks. 29 March 2024. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  47. ^ "Sight & Sound (Inc. Monthly Film Bulletin) - May 1997".
  48. ^ "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't be late) performed by The Chipmunks". Pop Culture References. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  49. ^ "Best of 2017 (Behind the Scenes): How Jason Statham and a baby stole Fate of the Furious". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  50. ^ "Bob Rivers – Chipmunks Roasting on an Open Fire Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 2023-09-04.
  51. ^ Piatkowski, Peter (November 3, 2021). "Norah Jones Plays It Cool, Classic, and Timeless with 'I Dream of Christmas'". PopMatters. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  52. ^ Ryan Barbee (October 23, 2016). "Amy Grant Tennessee Christmas". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  53. ^ Allmusic review
  54. ^ Horowitz, Hal (October 28, 2020). "Goo Goo Dolls Play It Safe On Entry into the Crowded Christmas Album Field". American Songwriter. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
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