Elvis's "I'll Be Home For Christmas"

[Juan Luis]

"I'll Be Home For Christmas" was supposedly written with World War II soldiers in mind who longed to be home at Christmastime. The Gannon/Kent composition was a top ten hit song by Bing Crosby recorded October 4, 1943, under the title "I'll Be Home for Christmas (If Only in My Dreams)". Buck Ram was later added as co-author following lawsuit about poem he composed with the same title.
The Christmas standard was recorded by Perry Como, Frank Sinatra, Connie Francis, and many others including ELVIS PRESLEY.

Elvis recorded the song at the end of the day on September 7, 1957 at Radio Recorders Studio 1, Hollywood. Credited producer Steve Sholes with Thorne Nogar behind the console.
This is one of my favorite ballads sung by Elvis during the 1950's. It is sung with much feeling and control for such a young singer. Just wonderful. We can only imagine the hard work to achieve this, for it took 15 takes to achieve the master! I Love it!

Merry Christmas everyone!

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"After Gannon's death in 1974, he left royalty rights to the song to the American Heart Association, which has benefited since"-Wikipedia.

[Chucky99]

Yeah very nice song.It also appears at the end of the movie Lethal Weapon from 1987.Mel loves it too.

[Juan Luis]

Yeah very nice song.It also appears at the end of the movie Lethal Weapon from 1987.Mel loves it too.

Thanks for posting and reminding me! There's another film that has the song playing over the end credits, cannot recall now. But it was a wonderful surprise as an Elvis fan.

[stevelecher]

Meh. I don't hate it but his balladeering on the 1957 Christmas material seems difficult for him. Now on the other hand, Santa Claus Is Back In Town, Santa Bring My Baby Back, White Christmas, and Here Comes Santa Claus are all spectacular.

[jurasic1968]

I think this is a song the Colonel wanted Elvis to close the 1968 TV special.

[jetblack]

The song seems shorter than it is as there are only 8 lines in it but it is performed very well by Elvis.

I'll be home for Christmas,
You can plan on me.
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents on the tree.

Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love light leads.
I'll be home for Christmas, oh yes
If only in my dreams.

The new Christmas album with the RPO repeats the second verse after a sax solo.

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Andy

[r&b]

Meh. I don't hate it but his balladeering on the 1957 Christmas material seems difficult for him. Now on the other hand, Santa Claus Is Back In Town, Santa Bring My Baby Back, White Christmas, and Here Comes Santa Claus are all spectacular.

Its not the best version out there, but he does a nice job on this, much better than his balladeering on Silent Night and Little Town...where he seems to have some difficulty in phrasing

[ORION]

Elvis`s version of I'll Be Home For Christmas is just a wonderful recording of a marvellous song.

I couldn't agree more. This song is simply sadly beautiful. It reminds me of the times when I was gone from home and not able to get back for Christmas in the house where I grew up. Now that my parents have both passed, the song is even more haunting and poignant.

Call me crazy, but I actually really enjoy the 'faked' duet with Carrie Underwood on this one.



Sorry, I haven't mastered the uploading of a video to the forum.

[Rob]

Where the love light leads.

Gleams.

[Juan Luis]

Elvis`s version of I'll Be Home For Christmas is just a wonderful recording of a marvellous song.

I couldn't agree more. This song is simply sadly beautiful. It reminds me of the times when I was gone from home and not able to get back for Christmas in the house where I grew up. Now that my parents have both passed, the song is even more haunting and poignant.

Call me crazy, but I actually really enjoy the 'faked' duet with Carrie Underwood on this one.



Sorry, I haven't mastered the uploading of a video to the forum.

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[ORION]

Thanks Juan and Greystoke... Some really great, classy folks on here, for sure.

[jeanno]

Simply beautiful.

[Rob]

It is a beautiful song and Elvis does a superb job.

He can put me in the Christmas mood in July.

[poormadpeter2]

It's a lovely performance of what is, yes, a very short song! Such a shame there isn't a second verse, and it is a song that is really crying out for one. It's one of the few examples of Elvis tackling what is, essentially, a standard in the studio and he does a very nice job.

[Domino]

If I made a list of my fave Elvis seasonal songs this one would be close to the top.Great job by the KING.

[drjohncarpenter]

If I made a list of my fave Elvis seasonal songs this one would be close to the top.Great job by the KING.

I think it would be in my top-ten, too.

It made my mom cry the first time she heard his recording of it. And that was just a excerpt I was playing off a bootleg called Eternal Elvis. Pressed on red vinyl, it closed out the album.

780000_Eternal Elvis_deluxe edition.jpg

[stevelecher]

It would be in the bottom half of my top 20.

[TINML]

I mentioned it a few weeks ago but the “duet” version is always on my Xmas playlist. Gorgeous recording.

[rlj4ep]

Good thread Juan. An outstanding performance by Elvis. Not a flaw in the original performance. Terrific arrangement with Elvis' voice dripping with sincerity.

Also, I really like the remake of this with Elvis and Carrie Underwood on the Christmas Duets release. That too, is a marvelous performance. Their voices mix so well together and is the highlight of that album for me.

rlj

[rlj4ep]

I love the cartoon with the dog on the couch, Juan! Nice job, made me smile!!!

rlj

[Mike Windgren]

Hi there!! .

Beautiful song, will take Elvis version over all the others! . Love the different voices is capable to reach Elvis from the low to the high, outstanding piano playing by the great "Dudley Brooks" and the great support vocals by The Jordanaires & Millie Kirkham .

Wish the September 1957 Christmas session had not been erased/lost or whatever, a really crime..... . Bye for now .

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[jetblack]

Where the love light leads.

Gleams.

Sounds right Rob. Most sites have it down as leads.

Cheers, Andy

[jon_burrows]

A lovely ballad sung beautifully by 22yr old Elvis!

Yeah very nice song.It also appears at the end of the movie Lethal Weapon from 1987.Mel loves it too.

Thanks for posting and reminding me! There's another film that has the song playing over the end credits, cannot recall now. But it was a wonderful surprise as an Elvis fan.

I knew about it being played over the 'Lethal Weapon' credits, but the name of the other film escapes me too. I've been wracking my brain for the last few days but just can't remember which film it is.

[FredAistair]

Elvis`s version of I'll Be Home For Christmas is just a wonderful recording of a marvellous song. It's not my favourite version, those would be Bing and Frank's recordings. But Elvis sings quite beautifully, with some nice phrasing and unique mannerisms that make his version distinctive in its own right. Although this is something that was less successful with his version of Silent Night.

Musically, Elvis`s I'll Be Home For Christmas is arranged with real care and sensitivity. I love the piano line and how subtle the drumming is. Whilst the female voices are warm, lush and very inviting. It's a real gem of a recording and I would liked to have heard a more mature Elvis singing this song later in life. Either on stage, television or on record.

Great call an this song , and unless i am mistaken I recall hearing Sinatra's or Crosby's great version of this song in a poignant scene in the 2nd world war movie The victors

[matilda]

I am very fond of elvis' silent night. Beautiful sung.
Classic and sparse arrangement.
Besides, my favourite christmas song anyhow.
So what's wrong with elvis' phrasing on that one? Some elvis' mannerisms, ok.
But still an honest and sincere rendition .