In 1950, McPhatter joined Billy Ward & the Dominoes, and was present for the recording of "Sixty Minute Man", which was a huge hit in 1951, and was one of the earliest rock and roll records. After several more hits, McPhatter quit the group in 1953 because he made little money and gained virtually no fame, in spite of his voice being the lead on most of the group's songs. McPhatter then signed to Atlantic Records after forming a group, The Drifters. "Money Honey", "Such a Night", "Honey Love", "White Christmas" and "Whatcha Gonna Do" became huge hits.
In 1954, McPhatter was drafted but was assigned in the U.S., allowing him to continue recording. He soon left The Drifters and launched a solo career. His first solo hit occurred just after being discharged - "Love Has Joined Us Together" (with Ruth Brown). He released several R&B hits in the next few years, but only made one serious dent in the pop charts with the Brook Benton penned song "A Lovers Question", which made it to #6 in 1958. White groups usually covered his best compositions and achieved more widespread mainstream success. In spite of this, McPhatter became one of the most popular black musicians among white listeners. His 1956 recording of "Treasure of Love" saw him enjoy just one week in the UK singles chart. The lack of any subsequent entry gave him the unenviable tag there of being a one hit wonder
McPhatter soon signed to MGM Records, and released several more hits. "I Told Myself a Lie" and "Think Me a Kiss" (1960) became minor pop hits, as was "Ta Ta", his first single for Mercury Records. "I Never Knew" and "Lover Please" (1962) became even bigger pop hits, but his career started suffering due to his alcoholism. Other black artists were following McPhatter's blueprint into pop audiences, including Rudy Lewis, Johnny Moore, Sam Cooke and an all new line-up of The Drifters. McPhatter's unreliability kept him from maintaining his career in the face of this competition. As the 1960s wore on, McPhatter's career kept falling in spite of a few minor hits.
In the early 1970s, McPhatter spent some time living in England, where he still had a significant audience, but this was short-lived. Back again in America, Clyde McPhatter died of a heart attack in 1972, at the age of 39.
In 1987, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His pioneering contribution to the genre has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
White Christmas
Clyde McPhatter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just like the ones I used to know
Where those treetops glisten and children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow, the snow
And I-I-I am dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days, may your days, may your days be merry and bright
I-I-I I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten and the children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow
I-I-I I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May those days, may your days, may your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle bells all the way, ooh
The opening lines of the song, "Doo doo, Doop doop, doop doo doop," serve as an introductory melody that sets the tone for the lyrics. 'White Christmas' is a holiday classic that describes the singer's desire to experience the joy of a snowy and cheerful Christmas, similar to the ones that they used to enjoy in the past. The song reflects on the beauty of Christmas time - the glistening of the treetops, the sound of children listening to sleigh bells, and the joy of seeing the snow. The chorus emphasizes the singer's desire for a white Christmas, which serves as a metaphor for a time of joy and simple happiness.
The repeated lines, "May your days be merry and bright, and may all your Christmases be white," serves as a wish of prosperity and joy for the listener. The song illustrates the warmth and compassion of the season as well as the importance of memories that the holiday time brings. The lyrics of 'White Christmas' serve as a reminder to hold on to the simple joys of life and be grateful for the moments that bring happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Doo doo
Doop doop, doop doo doop
Doo doo
Doop doop, doop doo doop
Musical interlude
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas,
I'm hoping for a snowy Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know,
Like the ones I remember from childhood
Where those treetops glisten, and children listen,
Where the snow on trees shines and kids are attentive
To hear sleigh bells in the snow, the snow
To catch the sound of bells while it snows
Then, I-I-I am dreaming of a white Christmas,
I continue hoping for a snowy Christmas
With every Christmas card I write,
As I send holiday greetings
May your days, may your days, may your days be merry and bright,
I wish for your happiness
And may all your Christmases be white
I hope all your Christmases will be snowy
I-I-I am dreaming of a white Christmas,
Again, I'm hoping for a snowy Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know,
Like the ones from my memories
Where the treetops glisten, and children listen,
Where the tree snow sparkles and children are attentive
To hear sleigh bells in the snow
To enjoy the sound of bells while it snows
I-I-I am dreaming of a white Christmas,
Once more, I hope for a snowy Christmas
With every Christmas card I write,
As I send more holiday greetings
May those days, may your days, may your days be merry and bright,
I hope your days are happy
And may all your Christmases be white
I hope all your Christmases are snowy
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle bells all the way ooo
Musical interlude
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Irving Berlin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bertha Daniels
Thanks to Mr Clyde Mcphatter ,this is the best version ever. ❤
Michelle Jones
I love this version of White Christmas! It makes me so happy every time I hear it! The Drifters are great! I love the guy who hits those high notes! :-)
nene henry
Just a unique voice. Awesome
Billy Onions
Clyde Mcphatter, a singing force to be reckoned with.
Mark Herron
Happy Birthday to the Late Clyde McPhatter and Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas ☃️🎄 Go HUG someone today IF they're been vaccinated or not 🚫 Blessings and Hugs 💖💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕!
Bad Poetry Minute
Best. Version. Ever.
Lag YT
that harmony though
d engelking
This song is in Home Alone!
Brandon Inglin
And the Santa Claus 🎅 ‼️
GoldKinz
"A yay yay yay been dreamin," omg
That makes me die every time