Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer

Album: Gene Autry Sings Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town (1949)
Charted: 1
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  • Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer started as a book given away to children at Montgomery Ward department stores in 1939. In the book, reindeer pull Santa's sleigh, but they also get Christmas presents. Santa discovers Rudolph when he's dropping off presents; seeing his red nose, he wakes him up and asks him to guide his sleigh the rest of the way, ensuring safe, well-lit passage.

    There is nothing in the song that contradicts this, but in the 1964 TV special, the reindeer a kind of farm team for Santa's sleigh, and Rudolph gets the call after returning from the Island Of Misfit Toys.

Comments: 18

  • Ken Krebs from Flagstaff, AzYour excerpt from Clement Clark Moore is incorrect. In the original version (in the Library of Congress), the names of two of the reindeer are Donder and Blitzen (German for Thunder and Lightning) or so Clement believed. Someone misheard it and started calling him Donner.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn December 3rd, 1964 the stop-motion animation special "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer" debut on the CBS-TV network...
    Actor/folk singer Burl Ives provided the voice for 'Sam the Snowman'...
    R.I.P. Mr. Ives (1909 - 1995).
  • Gerard from Toulouse, FranceIf you haven't heard The Crystals' 1963 version produced by genius-gone-mad Phil Spector, well you haven't heard nothin'! Another mighty treat on the same CD (The Phil Spector Christmas album) is The Ronettes' rendering of Rudolph the red-nosed-reindeer. I've heard it say that every year at Xmas time in The US and the UK, it's one of the top-selling Xmas albums. Just go get it if you haven't got it yet, your kids - or your baby-boom-born, ageing father will love it!
  • Daniel Celano from Philadelphia, PaI think the Wiggles sang this song on the original 1997 release of their "Wiggly Wiggly Christmas" video and their "Wiggly Wiggly Christmas" album released in 1996.
  • Lorraine from Dublin,ca, CaI thought a young boy by the name of Jimmy West also recorded Rudolph back in the early 50's. Maybe I'm wrong or old age is catching up with me!!
    Lorraine, Dublin, CA
  • Virginia from North Myrtle Beach, ScLove the song. It brings back my childhood days. May Rudolph live forever!
  • Terri from Phoenix, AzOn a Christmas Mix CD that I own, there's a recording of Dean Martin singing this; he sounds soused. Does anyone know if he was when he recorded it...or did he just always sound soused, whether he was or not?
  • Frosty from Seattle, WaAccording to the urban legends site (www.snopes.com, Mays considered Rollo and Reginald for the reindeer's name. there is no mention of Rupert.
  • Chuck from Springfield, MoFlip side of Rudolph was "If it doesn't snow on Christmas.
  • Cheryl from Hillsboro, Orwhat was on the flip side of the single rudolph the red nose raindeer? i have been told that playing rudolph was a fluke, the hit was supose to be the other side
  • Jonnie King from St. Louis, Mo"Rudolph" was first offered to Bing Crosby who had scored so well with "White Christmas". He turned it down as being a little too 'juvenile' and not his style. This was one time in his career he made the wrong decision...and later he admitted it. BUT, in reality, Gene Autry REALLY put his own 'stamp' on "Rudolph"...and his version is still the BEST of all !!
  • Mark from Lancaster, OhSo does Montgomery Ward still own Rudolph?
  • Teresa from Mechelen, BelgiumThere's also a version from The Crystals on the cd "A Christmas gift for you from Phil Spector", that can be considered as a very original Christmas cd, with a perfect "Wall of Sound"; if you don't have it just buy it.
  • Claire from Oak Ridge, TnRupert was the only name never considered for the reindeer.
  • Peter Griffin from Quahog, RiI love rudolph. I mean i love that little huy. i like how he jumps around in his little outfits.
  • Jude from Thomasville, GaI believe Bill is right, that Gene Autry was one of the songwritets on "Here Comes Santa Claus". His is the best version of good old Rudolph, but I also love Justin Wilson's "Randolph th' Rouge Nosed Reindeer". (Same snng bur with a strong Cajun flavor.)
  • Mr. Fugu from Springfield, United StatesJohnny Rebel recorded an awesome version of this song. "Leroy the big-lipped..." :)
  • Rich from Elkins, WvBesides recording RTRNR, I believe Gene Autry wrote a Christmas song of his own.."Here Comes Santa Clause".
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