Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (song) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" |
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Gene Autry single cover
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| Single by Gene Autry | |
| B-side | "If It Doesn't Snow on Christmas" |
| Published | January 12, 1949 by John David Marks (self-published) May 9, 1949 by St. Nicholas Music Publishing Co. |
| Released | September 1949 |
| Recorded | June 27, 1949 |
| Genre | Christmas |
| Length | 3:10 |
| Label | Columbia 38610 |
| Songwriter(s) | Johnny Marks |
"Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" is a famous Christmas song. It was written by Johnny Marks. The song is based on a story called Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. This story was first published in 1939 by the Montgomery Ward Company. The most famous version of the song was recorded by Gene Autry. It became the number one song in the United States during Christmas 1949.
Song History
The character Rudolph was created in 1939. Robert L. May, Johnny Marks's brother-in-law, made Rudolph for a job at Montgomery Ward. Johnny Marks then decided to turn Rudolph's story into a song. He wanted to share it with more people.
The song starts with a special introduction. It names Santa's eight other reindeer. This part is like an old poem called "A Visit from Saint Nicholas". The introduction goes like this:
"You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen,
Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen,
But do you recall
The most famous reindeer of all?"
The song was first heard on New York Radio (WOR) in November 1949. A singer named Harry Brannon performed it. Gene Autry recorded his version on June 27, 1949. It was released as a children's record in September 1949 by Columbia Records. By November, Columbia Records started promoting it to everyone.
Autry's song became a huge hit. It reached number one on the US music charts during Christmas 1949. It was even the first number one song of the 1950s! At first, Autry didn't want to record the song. It was suggested as a "B" side for another record he was making. But his wife convinced him to use it. The song's success helped Autry's later popular Easter song, "Here Comes Peter Cottontail."
Autry's recording sold 1.75 million copies in its first Christmas season. It sold another 1.5 million the next year. By 1969, it had sold 7 million copies. This was Columbia's best-selling record at that time. Eventually, it sold 12.5 million copies. When you include all the different versions by other singers, sales are over 150 million copies! Only Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" has sold more.
Gene Autry recorded the song again in 1957. This version had a full orchestra and chorus. It was released on his own record label, Challenge Records.
In 1959, Chuck Berry released a song called "Run Rudolph Run". This song was a kind of sequel to "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer."
In December 2018, Autry's original song became popular again. It entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart at number 36. This was almost 70 years after it first charted! It then climbed to number 27 and peaked at number 16 in early 2019.
Other Popular Versions
Many other artists have recorded "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer." Here are some notable ones:
- 1950: Bing Crosby recorded the song. His version reached number 6 on the Billboard children's chart. It also reached number 14 on the pop singles chart.
- 1950: Spike Jones and his City Slickers released their version. It peaked at number 7 on the pop singles chart.
- 1956: The Cadillacs made a doo-wop version. It reached number 11 on the Rhythm & Blues Records chart.
- 1960: Alvin and the Chipmunks recorded a very popular version. It reached number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100. In their version, Rudolph himself sings, sounding like he has a cold. They recorded it again in 1961 and 1994. The 1994 version was a duet with Gene Autry.
- 1964: Burl Ives recorded the song for the TV special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. The soundtrack album reached number 142 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.
- 1968: The Temptations released their version. It reached number 12 on Billboard's special Christmas Singles chart. This version later reached number 3 in December 1971.
See also
In Spanish: Rodolfo, el reno de la nariz roja para niños
