Elvis sings The Wonderful World of Christmas

Elvis sings The Wonderful World of Christmas
Studio album by Elvis Presley
Released October 20, 1971 (1971-10-20)
Recorded June 27, 1968 – May 16, 1971
Genre Christmas, pop
Length 35:06
Label RCA Records
Producer Felton Jarvis
Elvis Presley chronology
I Got Lucky
(1971)
Elvis sings The Wonderful World of Christmas
(1971)
Elvis Now
(1972)
Singles from Elvis sings The Wonderful World of Christmas
  1. "Merry Christmas Baby" / "O Come All Ye Faithful"
    Released: November 1971
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Robert ChristgauB+[2]
MusicHound[3]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[4]
Rough Guides[5]

Elvis sings The Wonderful World Of Christmas is a 1971 album by Elvis Presley, and Elvis' second and final Christmas album. The album was released in October 1971, followed by the single from the album "Merry Christmas Baby" / "O Come All Ye Faithful" released in November 1971. This album was a top seller and topped the Billboard Holiday Albums Chart, and would have charted high on the Billboard 200 but from 1963 to 73 Holiday albums were not allowed to chart. It did not have the commercial appeal of Elvis’ first Christmas album. Over the years, it has become a perennial favorite. It was certified Gold on November 4, 1977, Platinum on December 1, 1977, 2x Platinum on May 20, 1988 and 3x Platinum on July 15, 1999 by the RIAA.[6]

Several of the songs on the album were published by Elvis Presley's publishing company, such as "Holly Leaves and Christmas Trees", "I'll Be Home on Christmas Day", "If I Get Home on Christmas Day", and "On a Snowy Christmas Night". Presley is accompanied on most of the songs by The Imperials Quartet.

On later pressings, the song "Blue Christmas", which was recorded on June 27, 1968, was added to the track listing. The song had been previously released on the 1968 album, Elvis.

Track listing

Original release

Side one
No. TitleWriter(s)Recording date Length
1. "O Come, All Ye Faithful"  Traditional; arranged by Elvis PresleyMay 16, 1971 2:49
2. "The First Noel"  Traditional; arranged by Elvis PresleyMay 16, 1971 2:11
3. "On a Snowy Christmas Night"  Stanley GelberMay 16, 1971 2:50
4. "Winter Wonderland"  Felix Bernard, Richard B. SmithMay 16, 1971 2:20
5. "The Wonderful World of Christmas"  Charles Tobias, Al FrischMay 16, 1971 1:59
6. "It Won't Seem Like Christmas (Without You)"  J. A. BalthropMay 15, 1971 2:43
Side two
No. TitleWriter(s)Recording date Length
1. "I'll Be Home on Christmas Day"  Tony MacaulayMay 16, 1971 3:50
2. "If I Get Home On Christmas Day"  Michael JarrettMay 15, 1971 2:54
3. "Holly Leaves and Christmas Trees"  Glenn Spreen, Red WestMay 15, 1971 2:14
4. "Merry Christmas Baby"  Lou Baxter, Johnny MooreMay 15, 1971 7:20
5. "Silver Bells"  Jay Livingston, Ray EvansMay 15, 1971 2:03
6. "Blue Christmas" (reissue pressings only)Billy Hayes, Jay W. JohnsonJune 27, 1968 2:34

Follow That Dream re-issue

Disc 1 Disc 2
The original album
No. Title Length
1. "O Come, All Ye Faithful"   2:48
2. "The First Noel"   2:09
3. "On A Snowy Christmas Night"   2:49
4. "Winter Wonderland"   2:17
5. "The Wonderful World of Christmas"   1:57
6. "It Won't Seem Like Christmas (Without You)"   2:41
7. "I'll Be Home on Christmas Day"   3:48
8. "If I Get Home On Christmas Day"   2:51
9. "Holly Leaves and Christmas Trees"   2:52
10. "Merry Christmas Baby"   5:44
11. "Silver Bells"   2:26
Bonus song
No. Title Length
12. "I'll Be Home On Christmas Day" (remake master) 3:43
First takes
No. Title Length
13. "It Won't Seem Like Christmas (Without You)" (takes 1, 3) 4:36
14. "If I Get Home on Christmas Day" (take 1) 3:37
15. "I'll Be Home on Christmas Day" (takes 1, 3) 7:54
16. "Holly Leaves And Christmas Trees" (takes 1, 2) 3:13
17. "Silver Bells" (takes 1, 2) 4:41
18. "I'll Be Home On Christmas Day" (remake takes 1, 2) 5:48
First takes
No. Title Length
1. "I'll Be Home on Christmas Day" (take 4) 4:58
2. "If I Get Home On Christmas Day" (takes 2, 3) 3:51
3. "Holly Leaves and Christmas Trees" (take 3) 2:27
4. "I'll Be Home on Christmas Day" (remake take 3) 4:24
5. "It Won't Seem Like Christmas (Without You)" (takes 4, 5) 3:03
6. "O Come, All Ye Faithful" (take 2) 4:28
7. "If I Get Home on Christmas Day" (take 5) 3:00
8. "The Lord's Prayer" (public domain) 3:01
9. "I'll Be Home On Christmas Day" (takes 5, 6) 4:20
10. "Holly Leaves and Christmas Trees" (takes 4) 2:36
11. "It Won't Seem Like Christmas (Without you)" (take 6) 3:14
12. "Merry Christmas Baby" (take 1[unedited version]) 8:29
13. "I'll Be Home on Christmas Day" (remake takes 4, 9) 7:24
14. "If I Get Home on Christmas Day" (take 7) 2:57
15. "Holly Leaves and Christmas Trees" (takes 5, 8) 3:39
16. "Winter Wonderland" (takes 7, 8) 3:53
Total length:
2:11:34

Personnel

Certifications

Provider Level Date
RIAA 3x Platinum July 15, 1999

References

  1. Elvis sings The Wonderful World of Christmas at AllMusic
  2. Christgau, Robert. "Elvis Presley (Consumer Guide Reviews)". robertchristgau.com. Retrieved June 20, 2015.
  3. Graff, Gary; Durchholz, Daniel (eds) (1999). MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Farmington Hills, MI: Visible Ink Press. p. 892. ISBN 1-57859-061-2.
  4. "Elvis Presley: Album Guide". rollingstone.com. Archived from the original on September 18, 2013. Retrieved June 20, 2015.
  5. Simpson, Paul (2004). The Rough Guide to Elvis. London: Rough Guides. p. 146. ISBN 1-84353-417-7.
  6. "Elvis sings The Wonderful World of Christmas". RIAA. 2013. Retrieved October 19, 2013. Note: Enter advanced search for The Wonderful World of Christmas

External links

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