Classic Christmas Songs from the 40s, 50s, and 60s
Written by Ashleigh Gardner
December 5, 2016
Just in time for the holidays, Performer Stuff delivers the sheet music for your favorite holiday songs. We’ve got 23 Christmas tunes from the 40s, 50s, and 60s like “White Christmas”, “Silver Bells”, and “Baby It’s Cold Outside”. Take them with you to that fancy holiday party with a piano player, your thespian Christmas shindig, or Aunt Mabel’s house for Christmas carols. Like a song? Find the sheet music on PerformerStuff.com in the link provided!
“The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)” by Bob Wells and Mel Tormé
For a cozy feeling with friends and family, sing this song made famous by Nat King Cole.
“Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane
A song written for the holiday classic Meet Me In St. Louis, this tune originally had a much different set of lyrics that definitely weren’t nearly as hopeful as the ones we know today.
“I’ll Be Home for Christmas” by Kim Gannon, Walter Kent, and Buck Ram
This song was originally written to honor soldiers who were overseas during Christmastime during World War II.
“The Little Drummer Boy” by Katharine Kennicott Davis
A reverent and beautiful Christmas song about a poor shepherd boy bringing his gift of music to the Christ child.
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” by Johnny Marks
The Rudolph character was originally published in a 1939 Montgomery Ward booklet written by Robert May. Johnny Marks, Marks’ brother-in-law, wrote the song as a pet project, and the number was later sung on New York City radio by Harry Brannon in 1949.
“You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” by Dr. Seuss and Albert Hague
This famous tune was written and composed for the 1966 Dr. Seuss Christmas cartoon special. The most famous version (and the original version) is sung by Thurl Ravenscroft.
“Happy Holiday” by Irving Berlin
Made popular by Bing Crosby in the film Holiday Inn, this song is a Christmas classic for men and women.
“White Christmas” by Irving Berlin
Suspected to have been written in La Quinta, California, this song by Irving Berlin wishes for an old country Christmas with snow, mistletoe, friends, and family.
“Frosty the Snowman” by Walter Rollins and Steve Nelson
After Gene Autry recorded a version of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and found it to be a complete success, Walter Rollins and Steve Nelson wrote “Frosty the Snowman” to try and capitalize on Autry’s talent. This song was later adapted for the Frosty the Snowman 1969 animated classic.
“Silver Bells” by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans
First performed in the film The Lemon Drop Kid, this song is a reminder of the bustling atmosphere of the holiday season.
“Count Your Blessings” by Irving Berlin
This song rose from an experience Berlin had when his doctor suggested “counting your blessings” as a way to deal with Berlin’s insomnia due to stress.
“It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas” by Meredith Wilson
After being written independently, this song was later incorporated into the 1963 Broadway musical Here’s Love.
“Baby, It’s Cold Outside” by Frank Loesser
Originally recorded for the film Neptune’s Daughter, this song is usually sung as a duet. Bring out the sheet music for a duet with your best friend or sweetheart!
“Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” by John Frederick Coots and Haven Gillespie
So popular upon its radio release, within hours, this song prompted orders of 100,000 copies of sheet music and more than 30,000 records.
“Holly Jolly Christmas” by Johnny Marks
This fun and upbeat song is perfect for family and kids to sing together.
“Here Comes Santa Claus” by Gene Autry and Oakley Haldeman
This song was one of the first to combine religious and secular themes — the story of Santa and the Christian story of Jesus.
“Santa Baby” by Joan Davits and Philip Springer
Originally recorded by Eartha Kitt in 1953, this song has become a tongue-in-cheek Christmas classic.
“I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” by Tommie Connor
This song was commissioned in 1953 by Saks Fifth Avenue for their Christmas card that year. It was later condemned by the Roman Catholic Church in Boston for mixing “kissing” and “Christmas”.
“The Christmas Waltz” by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne
Written for Frank Sinatra in 1957, this song appeared on a B-side for Sinatra’s album A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra.
“It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas” by Meredith Wilson
This song can be found the in 1965 musical Here’s Love.
“Sleigh Ride” by Leroy Anderson and Mitchell Parish
Originally recorded as an orchestral number without lyrics, Mitchell Parish wrote the lyrics 4 years after the song was composed by Leroy Anderson. A great number for a group of talented singers.
“Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!” by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne
This song was written while the writer and composer were in hot and humid California during Christmas. A bouncy and fun song for a soloist or a small group of carolers.
“Caroling, Caroling” by Alfred Burt and Wihla Hutson
This song was written by Burt and never recorded until Nat King Cole chose it for his Christmas album The Magic of Christmas.
Want more Christmas tunes? Search Performer Stuff’s library for holiday sheet music, and find the perfect song for the perfect occasion. Happy Holidays from Performer Stuff!
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