Holiday Tunes In Films

Holiday Tunes in Films

What is a holiday film without some great Christmas songs? We take a look at some of the season’s favorite tunes and which movies they can be found in.

Blue Christmas

A children’s choir sang the version of “Blue Christmas” for the animated special “The Year Without a Santa Claus” (1974). However it was Elvis Presley who sang the version of the song played in “Christmas with the Kranks” (2004).

The Christmas Song

This holiday song has been featured in “Jingle All the Way” (1996) and “Christmas With the Kranks” (2004). Legendary performers Nat King Cole and Ella Fitzgerald sang separate versions of the song used in each of the movies, respectively.

Frosty The Snowman

Jimmy Durante sang this title song for the 1969 animated classic “Frosty the Snowman”. The Charms’ version of the song was included in “Christmas with the Kranks” while Red Foley sang the one used in The Polar Express.

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

The legendary Judy Garland first sang “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” in the 1944 movie “Meet Me in St. Louis”. However, it was Mel Torme’s version of the song that was used in Home Alone while Bing Crosby sang the one featured in Bad Santa.

Heat Miser-Snow Miser Song

George Irving and Dick Shawn, who provided the voices of the Heat Miser and Snow Miser for “The Year Without a Santa Claus” (1974), also sang the song featured in the animated classic. The song also plays in Batman & Robin when Mr. Freeze (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is watching the film on TV and makes his cronies sing along!

Here Comes Santa Claus

The legendary Gene Autry not only wrote the song but also sings the version of the song featured in Christmas Vacation. Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters sing the version that was heard in The Polar Express.

Holly Jolly Christmas

In the 1964 animated “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”, this song was performed by Burl Ives who voiced the character of Sam the Snowman. Burl Ives’ “Holly Jolly Christmas” would be part of several films including “The Family Man” (2000) and Bad Santa.

I’ll Be Home For Christmas

Another song featured in Bad Santa was “I’ll Be Home For Christmas”. This version of the classic song was performed by Frank Sinatra.

It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

The Polar Express also featured another classic song. “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” was sung by Perry Como.

Jingle Bell Rock

This festive song has been featured in plenty of holiday movies! Brenda Lee, who’s probably the one mostly associated with song, sings the version used in Home Alone, “Reindeer Games” (2000) and “Christmas With the Kranks” (2004). Bobby Helms performed the version used in “Jingle All the Way” (1996) while Bobby Sherman provided vocals for the one used for Bad Santa.

Jingle Bells

This Yuletide favorite was featured in A Christmas Story with Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters singing vocals. The Mills Brothers sang the version of the song that was in “Family Man” (2000) while the Brian Setzer Orchestra performed their take on “Jingle Bells” for “Jingle All The Way” (1996) and “The Santa Clause 2” (2002). Ricky Nelson sang the one featured in Bad Santa.

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!

Vaughn Monroe performed his take of “Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow” for Die Hard. However, other versions of the song have been used including Dean Martin’s for “Reindeer Games” (2000) and Bad Santa and Lena Hornes’s for “The Family Man” (2000).

Mele Kalikimaka

This fun holiday tune was featured in Christmas Vacation. The performer? Bing Crosby!

The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

Johnny Mathis’ take on the song was featured in “Jingle All the Way” (1996) and “The Family Man” (2000) while Andy Williams sang the version used for Bad Santa.

Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer

This was the title song that was performed by Burl Ives for the animated “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (1964).

Run, Rudolph, Run

This rockin’ Christmas song was performed by legendary singer/guitarist Chuck Berry. It’s been featured in “Jingle All the Way” (1996) and “The Santa Claus 2” (2002).

Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town

Not only was Fred Astaire the voice of the Narrator/Mail Carrier in 1970’s “Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town”, he also sang the title song. Bing Crosby with the Andrews Sisters sang the song featured in A Christmas Story. The Chipmunks’ version of the holiday tune appeared in The Santa Clause while Smokey Robinson and the Miracles performed the one used in “The Santa Clause 2” (2002). This wasn’t the last time the song was used in a film. The Polar Express featured the song, this time performed by Frank Sinatra.

Silver Bells

Although this classic Christmas tune has been featured on TV and film, it’s Kate Smith’s version that appeared in The Polar Express.

Up On The Housetop

Legendary country artist Eddy Arnold sang the version of “Up on the Housetop” that was featured in Bad Santa.

Where Are You Christmas?
Cindy Lou Who (Taylor Momsen) sang a few lines of this song in How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Songstress Faith Hill also sang “Where Are You Christmas?” for the film and the soundtrack.

White Christmas

This holiday classic was first heard in the 1942 seasonal classic “Holiday Inn” when it was sung by Bing Crosby and Marjorie Reynolds (who was dubbed by Martha Mears). Bing Crosby would sing the song again in “White Christmas” (1954) and his take on the tune would later appear in The Polar Express. The Drifters would sing the version of “White Christmas” that appeared in Home Alone and The Santa Clause while Otis Redding’s spin on the song was heard in Love Actually. Another version of the song would appear in 2004’s “Christmas with the Kranks” with Dean Martin performing the number.

You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch

While Boris Karloff narrated the animated tale of the Grinch, the song featured in the classic show was performed by Thurl Ravenscroft. Jim Carrey, who played the title character in How the Grinch Stole Christmas, performed the song in the live action movie.

Zat You Santa Claus

Legendary artist Louis Armstrong with the Commanders sang “Zat You Santa Claus” which was featured in “The Santa Clause 2” (2002).

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