However, the album was a relative failure at the time — it was unfortunately released on 22 November 1963, the same day as the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. In subsequent years, the album grew in popularity, considered now to be a holiday classic. Several of its tracks became iconic Christmas songs for generations, such as the original (and flop) single "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)," and the well-known "Ring-a-ling-a-ling Ding-dong-ding" background vocals in The Ronettes' "Sleigh Ride." The arrangement of Bruce Springsteen's version of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" is based in part on the Crystals' version of the song , and U2's late 80s cover of "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" that appeared on the first "A Very Special Christmas" album is patterned after the Darlene Love original that appeared on the Spector LP . The Ronettes version of "Frosty The Snowman" and "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" also usually get some radio airplay during the holiday season.
In 2003, the album was ranked number 142 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
The album has been released several times on different labels: the original release on Philles and the 1972 reissue on Apple were followed by additional reissues on Warner-Spector (1974, the first version to feature a stereo mix of the songs), Pavilion (1981), Passport (1984), and Rhino (1987). The first CD issue was also on Rhino in 1987, co-credited to Phil Spector International RNCD 70235 and restoring the album's original mono mix. The second CD issue was in 1987 as well, on Chrysalis (CCD 1625) in monophonic for the UK market. This one is co-credited "Spector Records International" and features the slightly different international artwork. The more common third CD issue came in 1989, a remastered release on ABKCO which restored the original title, artwork, and mono mix. The album also appeared as the fourth disc of ABKCO's 1991 Spector box set, Back to Mono, and as the second disc of the 2006 UK-only ABKCO compilation The Phil Spector Collection. As of 2007 both the Back to Mono box and the standalone CD version of A Christmas Gift for You had been taken out of print by ABKCO. Sony Music recently took over distribution rights to the Philles Records catalog and re-released the remastered mono album on its Legacy Recordings imprint on October 27, 2009.
Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, well-known as a fan of both the Ronettes and Spector, has cited this album as his favorite of all time.
White Christmas
Darlene Love Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning | Line by Line Meaning
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten
And children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow, snow
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white
The sun is shining, the grass is green
The orange and palm trees sway
There's never been such a day in whole L.A.
But it's December the twenty-fourth
And I am longing to be up north
So I can have my very own white Christmas
Oh yeah
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white, yeah
Be white
The first verse of Darlene Love's song "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" talks about her reminiscing about her past memories of the holiday season, where everything was pure, serene, and white. The tranquil ambiance makes her dream of the perfect holiday, which takes her back to the days of her youth. The treetops are covered in snow, and the kids await the sound of sleigh bells in the snow. This verse has a nostalgic vibe that reminds the listeners of the reason behind the significant holiday season.
The second verse takes a different approach to the holiday season in Los Angeles as Darlene Love sings about the beauty of the day, despite the typical atmosphere, of grass, and palm trees. On the twenty-fourth of December, the classic holiday songstress longs to be back in the winter wonderland of her youth, where she can experience the peacefulness of an actual White Christmas. This reminder of the different landscapes makes you appreciate the little things, unique to each climate.
Overall, Darlene Love's "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" is a song about nostalgia and the longing for the holiday season to remain as pure and simple as it was in the past, reminding us of the real meaning behind the holiday season.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
I wish for a typical festive season with snow shining bright.
Just like the ones I used to know
In my memories, Christmases had snow, which I miss now.
Where the treetops glisten
The trees sparkle due to the snow, and it's a beautiful sight.
And children listen
Kids love to hear the sound of bells chiming during Christmas.
To hear sleigh bells in the snow, snow
Children like to hear the sound of reindeer bells in the snow, which fills them with joy.
With every Christmas card I write
I hope my greetings bring joy and cheer to every person I send them to.
May your days be merry and bright
I wish for everyone's Christmas days to be joyful and full of brightness.
And may all your Christmases be white
I hope that everyone's Christmas is filled with snow.
The sun is shining, the grass is green
Los Angeles is having a warm and sunny day during Christmas.
The orange and palm trees sway
The fruit and palm trees of LA are moving due to a breeze.
There's never been such a day in whole L.A.
It's unusual to have such a Christmas day in Los Angeles.
But it's December the twenty-fourth
It's the day before Christmas!
And I am longing to be up north
I miss being in a colder climate during Christmas time.
So I can have my very own white Christmas
I want to have Christmas with snow by my side.
Oh yeah
I'm excited at the thought of having a snowy Christmas.
Be white
May it snow and may everyone have a white Christmas.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Tratore, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Irving Berlin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
C Schaffer
This is my favorite version of White Christmas and I play it over and over again. Darlene has the most amazing voice. I just love listening to her sing.
Lucy Logan
Same here😇🎄😇🎄
Christian Scott Thomas
One of the most under rated voices in herstory.....but she made up for it in the later years as she received the respect she always should have had. Love ya DL!
Ray Goebel
You are right
Stewart Fenton
For once I agree with that "underrated" tag. I've loved Darlene for 50 years and am so glad to see her more recognised now.
john francis
Her voice is just incredible.
Risky
This song never gets old. No matter how much I listen, I never get bored.
Jerzey Shore
The greatest Christmas Album of all times!
Just Me
How beautiful her voice is!
NYC Media
I was today years old when I first heard this version of White Christmas. Just wow. Timeless classic. Made my day.