Happy December, everybody!!!

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

We have officially arrived at the Christmas season so what better way to celebrate this festive time of year than with a daily countdown of great holiday songs to usher in the big day. All are welcome even if you are not a fan of this genre or you do not observe the holiday. Great music of any kind should be enjoyed by all.

We begin with a song by one of the pioneers of rock & roll, Mr. Johnny B. Goode himself. Chuck Berry wrote & recorded today’s song in 1958. Unbeknownst to him, songwriter Johnny Marks held the trademark on the character featured in Berry’s track because of the song Marks wrote with Marvin Brodie, which was recorded by Gene Autry in 1949.

Consequently, both Marks and Brodie were legally given songwriting credit for Berry’s song. But his record is the polar opposite of a children’s Christmas carol-it is a straight up rocking holiday classic perfect for the festive season. It has been covered by a slew of different artists over the last 65 years including Keith Richards, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Joe Perry which are all exemplary. So is the cover by Chris Isaak recorded for his 2022 album, Everybody Knows It’s Christmas.

Top: Chuck Berry circa 1962. Bottom: Chris Isaak circa 2010. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Chuck Berry: “Run Rudolph Run” (1958, written by Chuck Berry, Marvin Brodie and Johnny Marks).

Chris Isaak: “Run Rudolph Run” (2022, written by Chuck Berry, Marvin Brodie and Johnny Marks).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!