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Rating: For some time now, one of my most recurring Christmas traditions has been to dust off, during the holidays, the album "White Christmas" by Elvis Presley. And year after year, I find it increasingly beautiful and intense. There are many songs: 25 tracks are a bit too many to be appreciated all at first listen. The album therefore requires several careful listens.
This album includes songs from Elvis's third album, "Elvis' Christmas Album," released in 1957, which was a huge success, remaining in the top spot of the U.S. chart for four weeks and receiving 9 platinum records, plus other songs recorded in the following years, between the late '60s and early '70s. In most cases, these are traditional tracks like the famous "White Christmas" "Silent Night" "O Come All Ye Faithful" "Winter Wonderland" and "Merry Christmas Baby." Additionally, there are 3 unreleased episodes written specifically for Elvis, namely; "Santa Claus Is Back In Town," a song with a soul-blues feel but strong rock nuances. The rockabilly "Santa Bring My Baby Back to Me," which is the liveliest and most vibrant track on the album, and the poignant "Mama Like the Roses," the only non-strictly Christmas song on the album since it was originally the B-side of the 1970 single "The Wonder of You." The song portrays with great sensitivity the figure of a mother who loved roses, tending them lovingly in her garden. After her death, the children bring a bouquet of roses to their mother's grave every Mother's Day. Although Elvis is known as the king of rock, this album demonstrates how comfortable he is in interpretations that verge on the soul. Because most of the songs are ballads, almost like church hymns. But The King's voice is beautiful and enveloping, especially in "The First Noel" "On a Snowy Christmas Night" and "Take My Hand Precious Lord." The least convincing turns out to be "White Christmas," a song attempted by many artists but rarely rendered in a way that wasn't soporific. If you don't know this album, I suggest you listen to it.
In this period, it is truly a delight. And I take this opportunity to wish everyone in the DeBaser community a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Until next time...
p.s. Since I didn't do a track-by-track, I'm listing the album's tracklist below in case you're interested in looking for any of them.
1.: Santa Claus Is Back In Town
2.: White Christmas
3.: Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)
4.: I'll Be Home For Christmas
5.: Blue Christmas
6.: Santa Bring My Baby Back To Me
7.: O Little Town Of Bethlehem
8.: Silent Night
9.: There'll Be Peace In The Valley (For Me)
10.: I Believe
11.: Take My Hand Precious Lord
12.: It Is No Secret (What God Can Do)
13.: O Come All Ye Faithful
14.: First Noel
15.: On A Snowy Christmas Night
16.: Winter Wonderland
17.: Wonderful World Of Christmas
18.: It Won't Seem Like Christmas (Without You)
19.: I'll Be Home On Christmas Day
20.: If I Get Home On Christmas Day
21.: Holly Leaves And Christmas Trees
22.: Merry Christmas Baby
23.: Silver Bells
24.: Mama Liked The Rose
25.: If Every Day Was Like Christmas
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Santa Claus Is Back in Town (02:24)
(Words & music by Leiber - Stoller)
Well, it's Christmas time pretty baby
And the snow is falling on the ground
Well, it's Christmas time pretty baby
And the snow is falling down
Well you be a real good little girl
Santa Claus is back in town
Got no sleigh with reindeer
No sack on my back
You're gonna see me comin' in a big black caddilac
Oh, it's Christmas time pretty baby
And the snow is falling on the ground
Well you be a real good little baby
Santa Claus is back in town
Hang up your pretty stockings
And turn off the light
Santa Claus is comin' down your chimney tonight
Oh, it's Christmas time pretty baby
And the snow is falling on the ground
Well you be a real good little baby
Santa Claus is back in town
10 I Believe (02:04)
I believe for every drop of rain that falls
A flower grows
I believe that somewhere in the darkest night
A candle glows
I believe for everyone who goes astray, someone will come
To show the way
I believe, I believe
I believe above a storm the smallest prayer
Can still be heard
I believe that someone in the great somewhere
Hears every word
Everytime I hear a new born baby cry,
Or touch a leaf or see the sky
Then I know why, I believe
Everytime I hear a new born baby cry,
Or touch a leaf or see the sky
Then I know why, I believe
11 Take My Hand, Precious Lord (03:17)
Precious lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand
I'm tired, I'm weak, I'm lone
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand precious lord, lead me home
When my way grows drear precious lord linger near
When my light is almost gone
Hear my cry, hear my call
Hold my hand lest I fall
Take my hand precious lord, lead me home
When the darkness appears and the night draws near
And the day is past and gone
At the river I stand
Guide my feet, hold my hand
Take my hand precious lord, lead me home
Precious lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand
I'm tired, I'm weak, I'm lone
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand precious lord, lead me home
12 It Is No Secret (What God Can Do) (03:55)
(Words & music by Stuart Hamblin)
The chimes of time ring out the news,
Another day is through.
Someone slipped and fell.
Was that someone you?
You may have longed for added strength,
Your courage to renew.
Do not be disheartened,
For I have news for you.
It is no secret what God can do.
What He's done for others, He'll do for you.
With arms wide open, He'll pardon you.
It is no secret what God can do.
There is no night for in His light
You'll never walk alone.
Always feel at home,
Wherever you may go.
There is no power can conquer you
While God is on your side.
Take Him at His promise,
Don't run away and hide.
It is no secret what God can do.
What He's done for others, He'll do for you.
With arms wide open, He'll pardon you.
It is no secret what God can do.
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13 O Come, All Ye Faithful (02:48)
O come, all ye faithful
Joyful and triumphant
O come ye, o come ye to Bethlehem
Come and behold him
Born the king of angels
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
Christ the Lord
Sing choirs of angels
Sing in exaltation
Oh sing all ye rivals
Of heaven above
Glory to God, Glory in the highest
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
Christ the Lord
16 Winter Wonderland (02:18)
Sleigh bells ring, are you listening
In the lane, snow is glistening
A beautiful sight, we're happy tonight
Walkin' in a winter wonderland
Gone away is the bluebird
Here to stay is a new bird
He sings a love song as we go along
Walkin' in a winter wonderland
In the meadow we can build a snowman
Then pretend that he is Parson Brown
He'll say, "are you married?"
We'll say, "no man",
"But you can do the job when you're in town!"
Later on we'll conspire
As we dream by the fire
To face unafraid
The plans that we made
Walkin' in a winter wonderland,
Walkin' in a winter wonderland,
Walkin' in a winter wonderland!
23 Silver Bells (02:27)
Silver Bells, Silver bells
It's Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, hear them ring
Soon it will be Christmas day
City sidewalks, busy sidewalks
Dressed in holiday style
In the air there's a feeling of Christmas
Children laughing, people passing
Meeting smile after smile
And on every street corner you'll hear
Silver Bells, Silver bells
It's Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, hear them ring
Soon it will be Christmas day
Strings of streetlights, even stoplights
Blink a bright red and green
As the shoppers rush home with their treasures
Hear the snow crunch, see the kids bunch
This is Santa's big scene
And above all this bustle you'll hear
Silver Bells, Silver bells
It's Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, hear them ring
Soon it will be Christmas day
Soon It will be Christmas day
24 Mama Liked the Roses (02:47)
(Words & music by J. Christopher)
Oh, mama liked the roses she grew them in the yard
But Winter always came around and made the growing way too hard
Oh, mama liked the roses and when she had the time
She'd decorate the living room, for all us kids to see
When I hear the Sunday bells ringing in the morning
I remember crying when she used to sing
Oh, mama liked the roses but most of all she cared
About the way we learned to live
And if we said our prayers
You know I kept the family bible
With a rose that she saved inside
It was pressed between the pages
Like it had found a place to hide
Oh, mama liked the roses in such a special way
We bring them every Mother's Day
And put them on her grave
Oh, mama liked the roses Mmmm
Mama liked the roses
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