The traditional songs get strong play this year (Rosemary Clooney and Gene Autry sing ‘The Night Before Christmas’ rather than recite it–finally). But Christmas is taking on a whole new feel: romance. Sure some of that jazz and doo wop has been insinuating sex for a while, but we have got to get a genre going. Frank Loesser’s ‘Baby It’s Cold Outside’ started something in 1949 (everyone from Ricardo Montalbano to Bob Hope to [my favorite] Homer & Jethro [with June Carter] recorded it that year).
Love godlet Eddie Fisher alternately belts and croons JUST FOR YOU with “You’re All I Want for Christmas.” Flipside “Christmas Day” is smooove as well, but it seems to be more about Mommy than amore.
Stern looking Jo Stafford (‘You Belong to Me’) and Mr. Rhythm Frankie Laine (‘High Noon [Do Not Forsake Me]’) collaborated on this fun and flirty swing duo “Christmas Roses.” Did it start a new gift-giving craze? Dunno, but it’s sounding like rock ‘n’ roll is around the corner.