“It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas,” a quintessential holiday melody penned by Meredith Willson in 1951, originally bore the title “It’s Beginning to Look Like Christmas.” This enchanting song, capturing the essence of the festive season, has been covered by numerous artists.
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However, it achieved notable success when Perry Como and the Fontane Sisters, accompanied by Mitchell Ayres & His Orchestra, released their rendition on September 18, 1951. This version, available on RCA Victor as 47-4314 (45 rpm) and 20-4314 (78 rpm), along with Bing Crosby’s recording on October 1, 1951, has become a timeless classic, echoing through the decades during the holiday season.
Michael Bublé – It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas LYRICS
Historical Insights
Origins and Inspiration
A charming tale from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, suggests that Willson was inspired to write the song during a stay at the Grand Hotel there. The lyrics reference “a tree in the Grand Hotel, one in the park as well…” — the park being Frost Park, located directly opposite the Grand Hotel. The hotel, which has since been rebuilt, still graces the same site, continuing its historical legacy. The song also alludes to a “five and ten,” a store that existed in Yarmouth during that period.
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Interestingly, some speculate that the “Grand Hotel” mentioned in the song might also refer to the historic Park Inn Hotel in Willson’s hometown of Mason City, Iowa. This hotel, the last standing hotel designed by the renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright, overlooks the central park in downtown Mason City.
Cultural Impact
Meredith Willson later wove this song into his 1963 Broadway musical, “Here’s Love,” harmonizing it with the newly composed “Pine Cones and Holly Berries.”
The song’s cultural impact was further solidified when Johnny Mathis included it in his 1986 album “Christmas Eve with Johnny Mathis.” Mathis’s version gained immense popularity after featuring in the film “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,” and has since become a staple Christmas hit, frequently played on radio stations during the holiday season.
Perry Como’s Enduring Version
Perry Como and The Fontane Sisters’ version, released in 1951 and featuring Mitchell Ayres & His Orchestra, remains one of the most beloved renditions of this song. With its warm and nostalgic charm, it continues to resonate with listeners, amassing over 264 million streams on Spotify as of December 15, 2022. This version’s enduring appeal was further highlighted by its inclusion in the 2004 film “The Polar Express,” cementing its status as an integral part of Christmas music heritage.
“It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” not only symbolizes the spirit and joy of the holiday season but also showcases the enduring nature of a classic Christmas song, continuing to spread holiday cheer across generations.
