You're A Mean One Mr. Grinch

by

Thurl Ravenscroft

Album: How The Grinch Stole Christmas      Released: 1966

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Songfacts:  You can leave comments about the song at the bottom of the page.

This was written and recorded for the classic 1966 Dr. Seuss TV Holiday Special How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Seuss wrote the lyrics and Albert Hague wrote the music.

Thurl was the voice of Kellogg's Frosted Flakes "Tony The Tiger," one of the most famous advertising icons ever created. Tony The Tiger's catch phrase is "They're Great." Ravenscroft died in 2005 at age 91. (thanks, Jeff - Boston, MA, for above 2)

How The Grinch Stole Christmas was a book before it was made into a movie. Warner Brothers legend Chuck Jones did the animation.

In the movie, The Grinch is voiced by Boris Karloff, a famous horror movie actor. This led many people to believe he recorded the song.

In 2000, Ron Howard directed a live-action version of How The Grinch Stole Christmas starring Jim Carrey. In the movie, Carrey sings this with rapper Busta Rhymes.

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Comments:

I love this song! I get called the Grinch at times so I always hum this song when I get called that. Great song.
- Breanna, Henderson, NV

Okay...I found the song: "Welcome Christmas" from the Grinch cartoon. I will submit the song along with the lyrics.
- Mary, Phoenix, AZ

I thought the lyrics went as follows " You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch. You're a mean and nasty heel !!!!!! " But in the lyrics I received from you it reads " You really are a heel. Which one is correct. I am confused, and I would be grateful to you if you could find out if my brother and I are correct. Could someone help me?
- Curt, Warren, OH

Grinch is an american classic! my favorite christmas movie!!!!!
- Caitlin, Upper Township, NJ

Man, and I thought that that the 'Christmas Song' were full of made-up lyrics. Way to go, Dr. Geisel! A piece of roast beast of thanks to you for rediscovering the town Hu.
- wik, Brooklyn, NY

Ron Howard, you screwed up this story big time!
- claire, Oak Ridge, TN

For the background and lyrics to this song, go here: http://burtcom.com/kwantem/hu/ It's an amazing story.
- K, Princeton, NJ

I had the pleaseure of meeting the man at St. Jude hospital in Fullerton, CA, in either '89 or '90, what a wonderful person Thurl was. Even after his procedure, he entertained a dozen or so of us with his many voices and stories while in the recovery and waiting rooms. He was truly a fun-loving person who will never be forgotten.
- Steve, Fullerton, CA

If you have ever heard the rock version of this song, it was recorded by New Jersey's own Whirling Dervishes, an alt-rock band from Westfield that was big locally through the late 80s-early 90s. Although some of the members have been replaced and the group is now known as Everlounge, you can usually count on them to pull out "You're A Mean One Mr. Grinch" around the holidays during their live shows. I highly recommend you find the EP containing the song; you can sometimes pick it up from Amazon or on eBay (where as of this writing, 12/4/05, there are at least three copies listed for sale).
- Laura, Eatontown, NJ

Thurl has been a staple for Disney Character Voices almost since its inception. Unfortunately we lost him in 2005. I had written to him as a teen, and he sent out a head shot--and signed it as Tony the Tiger. What a truly great man. You can hear him all over the Disney theme parks and movies...keep an ear out!
- Brandon, Ocala, FL

The lyrics to the Who's Christmas song, as near as I can figure are: Da-Who Dorays Fa-Who Forays Welcome Christmas Come this way Da-Who Dorays Fa-Who Forays Welcome Christmas Christmas Day Welcome Christmas Fa-Who Ramus Welcome Christmas Da-Who Damus Christmas day is in our grasp So long as we have hands to clasp Fa-Who Forays Da-Who Dorays Welcome Christmas Bring your cheer Fa-Who Forays Da-Who Dorays To all the Whos Both far and near Welcome Christmas Fa-Who Ramus Welcome Christmas Da-Who Damus Christmas Day will always be Just as long as we have we Fa-Who Forays Da-Who Dorays Welcome Christmas While we stand Fa-Who Forays Da-Who Dorays Heart to heart And hand in hand Welcome Christmas Christmas Day!
- Robert, Puyallup, WA

I am searching for the lyrics to the "Who Song" that is sung at the end of the video. Thanks in advance for the help!!
- Teri, Albany, NY

Albert Hague (composer of the music) was later famous as Prof. Benjamin Shorofsky, one of the teachers in the movie and TV series FAME (about NYC's School of the Performing Arts).
- Matt, Atlanta, GA

Thurl Ravenscroft can be seen as one of the ghostly heads singing in the Haunted Mansion at Disney World. He sings the Mansion's theme song, "Grim Grinning Ghosts".
- Dave, Edmonton, Canada

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