Christmas Songs Written by Jewish Writers

It's Monday! Once again, it's time for music.

Who are the Music Moves Me bloggers? We are bloggers who blog about music each Sunday or Monday and if you have music to share with us, you are most welcome to join! (Music Posts Only-meaning at least one music video, please!)   Our head hostess is Cathy from Curious as a Cathy,  and she is joined by the knowledgeable Stacy of Stacy Uncorked and (last but not least) me.

Why not join our music loving folks?  It's so easy. All you have to do is join the linky above with a music post that contains at least one music video.  Without a music video, the post may be removed, or may be labeled *NO MUSIC*.  

Each month, we have a guest host.  For December, our honorary host is Santa Claus.  Santa calls on us to post holiday music so we can all dance and have a good time.

But first, since Hanukkah started yesterday at sundown, I need a Hanukkah song.

Last week, I introduced you to an a capella group called Six13.  This is their Hanukkah song for this year.  I present their tribute to Sir Elton John:  Elton Johnukah.

But now, it's time to get serious, with the rise of anti-semitism in our United States.

It may surprise you that White Christmas, I'll Be Home for Christmas, Walking in a Winter Wonderland, and many other modern Christmas songs were written or co-written by Jewish writers.

My quest to find out more started in 2010, reading a NY Times Op Ed.  My research was made easier by a number of online writers.  I thank them, including the author of this article. (a must read, based on extensive research).

In fact, an album just released this year celebrates Christmas songs written by Jews.

Some may argue that these are NOT Christmas songs, but rather songs about what I would now call the "secular Christmas". True, these are not hymns.  But it is true that the American celebration of Christmas incorporates many aspects of non-religious symbolism - this ground has been covered by other writers.

Many of these songs have been covered again and again.  In some ways they have become timeless. 

Let's enjoy some of these songs, and I thank this article in particular for much of my information.  

First, the Brenda Lee original Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree, written by Johnny Marks.  Marks is also responsible for A Holly Jolly Christmas and co-wrote Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer with another Jewish writer, Robert Louis May.

Silver Bells, written by two Jewish writers, Ray Evans and Jay Livingston, for a 1950 movie, The Lemon Drop Kid.  Here's the original, sung by Marilyn Maxwell and Bob Hope.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, also written by two Jewish writers, George Wyle and Eddie Pola. (Wyle also wrote the theme song to Gilligan's Island).  This was written for Andy Williams and his first Christmas album, released in 1963.

The Christmas Song, written by Jewish writers Mel Torme and Robert Wells during a 1945 July heatwave.  It was first recorded by Nat King Cole's trio in 1946 and rerecorded in 1961.  This, perhaps, was my favorite Christmas song growing up in New York City.

Do You Hear What I Hear was released in 1962.  While researching this blog post I learned that this song was a reaction to the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1961.  Now, once again, we face a nuclear crisis, so I am featuring this song on my blog for the first time.  It was written by husband and wife team Nöel Regney and Gloria Shayne Baker.  Baker was Jewish; Regney was raised Catholic but left the church.  I am posting the original Harry Simeone Chorale recording.

One last song - Eartha Kitt's 1953 Santa Baby, written by Jewish songwriters Joan Javits and Phillip Springer.

Hate has no place in the celebration of Christmas.

Join me again next week for another episode of Music Moves Me.