Run Rudolph Run facts for kids

"Run Rudolph Run" is a popular Christmas song first released in 1958. The famous musician Chuck Berry wrote and recorded it. Even though Chuck Berry wrote it, the song credits also show Johnny Marks and M. Brodie. This is because Johnny Marks owned the rights to the character Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

Many other singers and bands have also recorded this song. Sometimes, they call it "Run Run Rudolph". The song has a rock and roll style called 12-bar blues. It sounds a lot like Chuck Berry's other famous songs, "Johnny B. Goode" and "Little Queenie".

The Story Behind the Song

Chuck Berry said he wrote "Run Rudolph Run" himself. But he later found out that the name "Rudolph" was a trademark owned by Johnny Marks. Because of this, Marks sued. In the end, Johnny Marks was given credit for writing the song, even though Chuck Berry said Marks "had nothing to do with the song."

Berry also mentioned that "M. Brodie" was not a real person. He believed it was a made-up name to help Marks and his music publisher earn more money. The first record of the song in 1958 credited "C. Berry Music – M. Brodie." However, all later versions of the song credit Marks and Brodie.

What the Song is About

The song has fun lyrics that mention popular toys from the 1950s. Santa Claus talks to children about their Christmas wishes.

One part of the song says:

Said Santa to a boy child "What have you been longing for?"
"All I want for Christmas is a rock and roll electric guitar"
And then away went Rudolph a-whizzing like a Shooting Star

Another part talks about a girl's wish:

Said Santa to a girl child "What would please you most to get?"
"A little baby doll that can cry, sleep, drink and wet"
And then away went Rudolph a-whizzing like a Sabre jet

These lines show how fast Rudolph is, comparing him to speedy airplanes.

Other Artists Who Covered the Song

Many artists have recorded their own versions of "Run Rudolph Run." In 2013, singer Whitney Wolanin's version became very popular. It reached number two on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. This was the highest chart position for any version of the song. Wolanin even made a funny music video for the song. It was a parody of the movie A Christmas Story and filmed at the Christmas Story House.

Other famous musicians and bands who have covered the song include Lynyrd Skynyrd, Foo Fighters, Sheryl Crow, Bryan Adams, Keith Richards, Jimmy Buffett, Kelly Clarkson, Billy Idol, and Luke Bryan. Even characters like Phineas Flynn from Phineas and Ferb and the Muppets' band Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem have performed it!

How the Song Performed on Charts

Chuck Berry's original 1958 song first reached number 69 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in December 1958.

Many years later, the song became popular again. In 2019, it re-entered the Hot 100 chart. By January 2021, it reached number 10! This was a big achievement for Chuck Berry. It was his third song to make it into the top ten. It also set a record for the longest time a song took to reach the top 10 since its first release, at 62 years and two weeks.

The song also made it onto the UK Singles Chart in 1963, reaching number 36.

Besides Whitney Wolanin's success, two country music artists also had charting versions. Luke Bryan's 2008 version reached number 42 on the Hot Country Songs chart. Justin Moore's 2011 version peaked at number 58 on the same chart.

Chuck Berry's Chart Performance

Whitney Wolanin's Chart Performance

Luke Bryan's Chart Performance

Justin Moore's Chart Performance

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