This article explores the origins of five popular Christmas songs that were written and first recorded in New York City. It highlights the city's influence on holiday music, showcasing the stories behind the songs and the talented individuals who created them.
New York has been the backdrop to many holiday traditions that we’ve come to enjoy, including hosting the nation’s first public Christmas tree lighting in Madison Square Park and where Clement Clarke Moore wrote “A Visit From Saint Nicholas.” The city has also left its mark on some of your favorite holiday songs. Here are five that all started here in New York. While Saks Fifth Avenue is known for its luxury shopping, it is less known for its contribution to our Christmas playlist.
It is because of the department store that we have the song “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.” In the 1950s, English songwriter Tommie Connor received a request from Saks Fifth Avenue to write a song promoting the store’s yearly Christmas card. Cononor was credited for writing a number of hit songs in the 1930s and 1940s. He accepted the offer and wrote “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.” When the store’s Christmas card was released, the lyrics of the song were printed next to a drawing from renowned artist Perry Barlow. The cartoon drawing showed a young woman kissing Santa Claus next to a Christmas tree with bags of gifts thrown across the floor. The song was first recorded in 1952 by 13-year-old Jimmy Boyd. It became a hit and reached number one on Billboard’s pop singles chart in December 1952, and sold two and half million records in its first week. The sounds of pianos, drums and singers once filled the Brill Building, which was at the center of the American music industry in the 1950s and 1960s with its assembly line pop. A number of legendary singers and songwriters came through this building, including Phil Springer, Joan Javits and Eartha Kitt. The trio were behind the 1953 hit “Santa Baby.” RCA Victor Records wanted to record a Christmas song with the popular Broadway and movie star Eartha Kitt. She was becoming a big star, whose career started on Broadway in the 1940s and then gained popularity with an appearance in News Faces of 1952 on Broadwa
CHRISTMAS SONGS NEW YORK CITY MUSIC HISTORY HOLIDAY TRADITIONS SAKS FIFTH AVENUE
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Chief Editor, Nature Synthesis - New York City, New York (US) job with Springer Nature LtdJob Title: Chief Editor, Nature Synthesis Location: New York, Shanghai or Beijing Closing date: Dec 31, 2024 About Springer Nature Group Springer Nature opens the doors to discovery for researchers, educators, clinicians and other professionals.
Read more »
Nature Medicine, News and Opinion - New York City, New York (US) job with Springer Nature LtdJob Title: Associate or Senior Editor - Nature Medicine, News and Opinion Location(s): New York or London - Hybrid Working Application Deadline: January 5, 2025 About Springer Nature Group Springer Nature opens the doors to discovery for researchers, educators, clinicians and other professionals.
Read more »
Deputy Editor, Communications Sustainability - New York City, New York (US) job with Springer Nature LtdJob Title: Deputy Editor, Communications Sustainability Locations: New York, Shanghai, Beijing - Hybrid Working Model Application Deadline: January 5, 2025 About Springer Nature Group Springer Nature opens the doors to discovery for researchers, educators, clinicians and other professionals.
Read more »
Editorial Director, Nature Research Journals - New York City, New York (US) job with Springer Nature LtdJob Title: Editorial Director, Health and Applied Sciences, Nature Portfolio (m/f/d) Location: New York or Berlin Reports to: VP of Research Journals, Nature Portfolio Closing date: January 5, 2025 About Springer Nature Group Springer Nature opens the doors to discovery for researchers, educators, clinicians and other...
Read more »
Chief Editor, Nature Sensors - New York City, New York (US) job with Springer Nature LtdJob Title: Chief Editor, Nature Sensors (m/f/d) Locations: New York or Berlin Application Deadline: January 5, 2025 About Springer Nature Group Springer Nature opens the doors to discovery for researchers, educators, clinicians and other professionals.
Read more »
5 facts about new NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch's billionaire familyThe name of New York City's new police commissioner graces buildings across the city.
Read more »