While leader Brian Wilson produced and arranged the rock songs, he left it to Dick Reynolds (an arranger for the Four Freshmen, a group Wilson idolized) to arrange the 41-piece orchestral backings on the traditional songs to which the Beach Boys would apply their vocals. One single was released from the album, the original song "The Man with All the Toys" backed with the group's rendition of "Blue Christmas". "Little Saint Nick", a single which had already been released the previous year, was included on the album.
In 1977, the Beach Boys attempted to follow the album with Merry Christmas from the Beach Boys, but it was rejected by their label. The entire Christmas Album plus selections from the Merry Christmas sessions were later assembled for the 1998 compilation Ultimate Christmas.
Background
The album was devised as a response to Phil Spector's A Christmas Gift for You from Philles Records (1963), an album Brian had attended recording sessions for. He played piano on the song "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" but was dismissed by Spector due to his substandard piano playing. Original album cover photo by George Jerman for Capitol Photo Studio. The a-side consists mostly of original Christmas-themed rock songs penned by Brian Wilson and Mike Love, while the b-side features both secular and religious Christmas standards with orchestral accompaniment directed by Dick Reynolds.
Recording
With the exception of "Little Saint Nick", sessions for the album spanned June 18–30, 1964, one month after the All Summer Long album was completed. "Christmas Day" is the first Beach Boys song to feature a lead vocal from Al Jardine.
The album was released in mono and stereo; the stereo mix, prepared by engineer Chuck Britz, would be the last true stereo mix for a Beach Boys album until 1968's Friends.
In addition to orchestral renditions of "Jingle Bells" and the original Wilson composition "Christmas Eve" which never received vocal overdubs, outtakes of the All Summer Long track "Little Honda" and The Beach Boys Today! single "Don't Hurt My Little Sister" were recorded in between June sessions.
Reception
In a retrospective review, AllMusic's Jason Ankeny stated: "Brian Wilson's pop genius is well suited to classic Yuletide fare, and the group delivers lush performances of standards ranging from 'Frosty the Snowman' to 'White Christmas' as well as more contemporary material like 'The Man With All the Toys' and 'Blue Christmas.'"
While interviewing Wilson for a promotional radio special in 1964, Jack Wagner remarked that Wilson's decision to sing solo on a version of "Blue Christmas" could be "the start of a whole new career," to which Wilson responded "I don’t know. It could and it couldn't. I really don’t know." Referring to the standards which he believed "proved that the Beach Boys' vocal power was bigger and more agile than the surf and hot rod records and staking a claim for wider musical terrain," author Luis Sanchez reflected: "The Beach Boys' Christmas Album music shows a quality of aesthetic selectivity that none of the group's records that came before it do, aspiring not just to assimilate one of pop's stock ideas, but also enabling Brian to make one of his biggest artistic advances."
On April 6, 1982, the album was certified gold by the RIAA, selling more than 500,000 units.
Ultimate Christmas
Released in 1998, Ultimate Christmas is a compilation containing all of the twelve tracks from the original Christmas LP in stereo. Many bonus tracks were added, including the 1974 single "Child of Winter" and several previously unreleased tracks from the aborted 1977 album Merry Christmas from the Beach Boys.
Personnel
Partial credits courtesy of session archivist Craig Slowinski.
The Beach Boys:
Al Jardine
Mike Love
Brian Wilson
Carl Wilson
Dennis Wilson
Additional musicians and technical staff:
Al Viola – guitar
David Marks - guitar (Little Saint Nick) (possibly)
Cliff Hils – double bass
Jimmy Rowles – grand piano
Jack Sperling – drums
Eddie Rosa – flute and/or alto saxophone and/or tenor saxophone
Chuck Gentry – soprano clarinet, alto clarinet, tenor clarinet, and/or bass clarinet and/or baritone saxophone
William Hinshaw, Richard Perissi, Arthur Briegleb – French horns
Henry Laubach, John Audino, Conrad Gozzo, Raymond Triscari – trumpets
Harry Betts, Francis Howard, George Roberts – trombones
George “Red” Callender – tuba
Edgar Lustgarten, Jesse Ehrlich, Nathan Gershman, Alfred Wohl, Margaret Aue – violins, violas, cellos, and/or double basses
Benjamin Barrett – orchestra master
Dick Reynolds – orchestra conductor
Mainerd Baker, George Yocum – copyists
Bill Putnam – engineer
Little Saint Nick
The Beach Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Merry Christmas Saint Nick
Christmas comes this time each year
Ooh, ooh
Well way up North where the air gets cold
There's a tale about Christmas
That you've all been told
And a real famous cat all dressed up in red
And he spends the whole year workin' out on his sled
It's the little Saint Nick (little Saint Nick)
It's the little Saint Nick (little Saint Nick)
Just a little bobsled we call the old Saint Nick
But she'll walk a toboggan with a four speed stick
She's candy apple red with a ski for a wheel
And when Santa hits the gas, man, just watch her peel
It's the little Saint Nick (little Saint Nick)
It's the little Saint Nick (little Saint Nick)
Run run reindeer
Run run reindeer (whoa)
Run run reindeer
Run run reindeer (he don't miss no one)
And haulin' through the snow at a frightening speed
With a half a dozen deer with Rudy to lead
He's got to wear his goggles 'cause the snow really flies
And he's cruisin' every path with a little surprise
It's the little Saint Nick (little Saint Nick)
It's the little Saint Nick (little Saint Nick)
Ooh
Merry Christmas Saint Nick
(Christmas comes this time each year)
Ooh
Merry Christmas Saint Nick
(Christmas comes this time each year)
Ooh
Merry Christmas Saint Nick
(Christmas comes this time each year)
The Beach Boys’ “Little Saint Nick” is a catchy and upbeat Christmas song that tells a fun story about Santa Claus and his “little Saint Nick” sled. The song has a classic rock and roll sound with a melody that is simple yet infectious. The lyrics begin with the band wishing Saint Nick a Merry Christmas and stating that Christmas comes every year. The song then describes a story of how Santa Claus spends the whole year working on his sled up in the cold North. The “real famous cat all dressed up in red” then takes his sleek and candy apple red sled out for a spin on Christmas Day.
The sled is known as the “little Saint Nick” and it is fast! It can even walk a toboggan with a four-speed stick. Santa Claus’s sled is an intricate machine that has a ski for a wheel and is incredibly powerful. As the song states: “And when Santa hits the gas, man, just watch her peel”. Santa Claus has his goggles on because the snow flies and he is cruising every path with a little surprise for all the good boys and girls. The song ends with another festive chorus of wishing Saint Nick a Merry Christmas and acknowledging that Christmas comes every year.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh
Expressing excitement and anticipation.
Merry Christmas Saint Nick
A joyous greeting to Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of Christmas.
Christmas comes this time each year
An observation that Christmas falls on the same day each year.
Well way up North where the air gets cold
Referring to the North Pole, where it is very cold.
There's a tale about Christmas
Alluding to the many myths and legends surrounding the holiday of Christmas.
That you've all been told
Assuming the listener is familiar with the aforementioned tales.
And a real famous cat all dressed up in red
Santa Claus is referred to as a 'cat' due to his cool, collected demeanor.
And he spends the whole year workin' out on his sled
Santa Claus is always preparing for his yearly trip around the world on his sled, pulled by reindeer.
It's the little Saint Nick (little Saint Nick)
The focus of this song is on Santa's sled, called the 'little Saint Nick.'
Just a little bobsled we call the old Saint Nick
Describing the sled as a simple bobsled with a nickname - the old Saint Nick.
But she'll walk a toboggan with a four speed stick
Although the sled is modest, it is able to travel at high speeds thanks to its sophisticated design.
She's candy apple red with a ski for a wheel
The sled is described as being visually striking, with a bright red color and a ski for a front wheel.
And when Santa hits the gas, man, just watch her peel
When Santa Claus accelerates the sled, it takes off with great speed.
Run run reindeer
An exhortation to Santa's reindeer to run quickly.
Run run reindeer (whoa)
A pause in the exhortation, as if to say 'wait, slow down.'
Run run reindeer
Continuing the exhortation to go quickly.
Run run reindeer (he don't miss no one)
Making the point that Santa Claus never forgets to deliver gifts to anyone.
And haulin' through the snow at a frightening speed
Santa Claus races through the snow at an alarming pace.
With a half a dozen deer with Rudy to lead
There are six reindeer pulling the sled, led by Rudolph, the most famous of the bunch.
He's got to wear his goggles 'cause the snow really flies
To protect his eyes from the snow, Santa wears goggles while he rides the sled.
And he's cruisin' every path with a little surprise
As Santa delivers gifts, he leaves behind a little bit of magic and wonder for each recipient.
Ooh
Repeating the expression of excitement and anticipation.
Merry Christmas Saint Nick
Once again greeting Saint Nicholas joyously.
(Christmas comes this time each year)
Repeating the observation made earlier that Christmas is an annual holiday.
Ooh
Repeating the expression of excitement and anticipation once more.
Merry Christmas Saint Nick
Another joyous greeting to Saint Nick before the song ends.
(Christmas comes this time each year)
Repeating the earlier observation one final time.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Michael Love, Brian Wilson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Philip Kassabian
on Kokomo
This song is an absolute classic and I love the way that it lists all the major destinations in the Caribbean.
Philip Kassabian
on Surfin' U.S.A.
A great song by The Beach Boys hit all the major surfing destinations.
Philip Kassabian
on Catch a Wave
This song really gets you in the mood for surfing.
Philip Kassabian
on Surfer Girl
What a splendid song by The Beach Boys. They really were a great band.
Philip Kassabian
on Wouldn't It Be Nice
One of the greatest Beach Boys songs.
Les lumb
on Surf's Up
Love Good Vibrations ,God Only Knows however this is my fav Beach Boys song
Les lumb
on San Miguel
It captures the mood of the place, very atmospheric
Les lumb
on Cotton Fields (The Cotton Song) [Single Version]
Great version by the Beach Boys it flows
Les lumb
on Break Away
Soothing
Leslie Lumb
on Break Away
Love the opening verses beautiful words