I'm trying to imagine Rowlf and John pleasantly crooning (can dogs croon?) the original lyrics:
Have yourself a merry little Christmas, it may be your last,
Next year we may all be living in the past
Have yourself a merry little Christmas, pop that champagne cork,
Next year we will all be living in New York.
No good times like the olden days, happy golden days of yore,
Faithful friends who were dear to us, will be near to us no more.
But at least we all will be together, if the Fates allow,
From now on we'll have to muddle through somehow.
So have yourself a merry little Christmas now.
YIKES.
Luckily Judy Garland and her director Vincente Minnelli insisted on a rewrite. We still have to "muddle through somehow" in a few renditions, although Sinatra's version and many after it "hang a shining star upon the highest bough" instead.
This song has the distinction of being included in TWO gangster films: Bing sings it in The Godfather and Jerry Vale gets the nod in Donnie Brasco. Nothing says "Merry Christmas" like a mob film. (Quick! What gangster flick features the MOST Christmas songs?)
Ok, getting sidetracked...
"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" versions I like:
It goes without saying Ella and Bing's are in heavy rotation, but I'd like to branch out if possible, so here are my picks:
Sarah McLachlan
Luther Vandross and Chaka Khan, ooh baby.
Sara Groves
a little Wynton is never a bad choice
Gloria Estefan
.... it's occurring to me that, apart from Muppets, I am partial to women singing this song...
Ok, and Billy Joel. Billy Joel can sing me the phone book and I'd be good.
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