Spike Jones was a popular musician and comedian during the 1940s and 1950s.… Read Full Bio ↴Spike Jones was a popular musician and comedian during the 1940s and 1950s. He and his backing band "The City Slickers" employed a wide variety of zany vocals, household implements and shotguns to produce their wacky, yet musically intriguing tracks.

Reputed to have the most talented and highly-paid musicians of the day, Spike Jones and his musicians were considerably more than simply novelty performers. Much of their performances even included theatrics and musical athletics. Spike Jones was subtley avant-garde in that he deftly combined elements and master performers of pop, dance, early jazz, blues, country and folk music with genes as distant as opera and classical.

Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer
Spike Jones Lyrics

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Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Had a very shiny nose
And if you ever saw it
You would even say it glows
All of the other reindeer
Used to laugh and call him names
They never let poor Rudolph
Join in any reindeer games

Then one foggy Christmas Eve
Santa came to say
""Rudolph, with your nose so bright
Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?""

Then how the reindeer loved him
As they shouted out with glee
""Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
You'll go down in history""

I just love to eat the bulbs
Of my christmas tree
Ever since I was a pup
When I smile my nose lights up

All of the other plain deer
Wished that they could only be

""Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
I'll go down in history""

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to the Spike Jones version of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" follow the same storyline as the original. Rudolph is introduced as an outcast, mainly because of his shiny, glowing nose that sets him apart from the other reindeer. The other reindeer teased and taunted him, refusing to include him in any games or activities. However, their disdain for Rudolph quickly changes on a foggy Christmas Eve when Santa Claus himself calls upon Rudolph for help. Guided by Rudolph's bright nose, they are able to travel safely and make all the deliveries on time. The other reindeer, now impressed with Rudolph's unique gift, celebrate him and acknowledge that he will go down in history.

The lyrics to this song are significant in that they promote a message of acceptance and inclusion. Rudolph is initially rejected by his peers because of what sets him apart from others, but ultimately, he is able to use that same difference to save the day and gain acceptance from those around him. The song also emphasizes the importance of recognizing the contributions and talents of those who may not fit into traditional or conventional norms.

Line by Line Meaning

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Here is a song about a reindeer named Rudolph who has a unique trait that sets him apart from the other reindeer.

Had a very shiny nose
Rudolph's nose was exceptionally bright and shiny in comparison to other reindeer.

And if you ever saw it
If you had the pleasure of observing Rudolph's nose, you would be amazed at how it shines.

You would even say it glows
The brightness of Rudolph's nose is so remarkable that you might even describe it as if it is glowing.

All of the other reindeer
The rest of the reindeer in Rudolph's herd.

Used to laugh and call him names
The other reindeer would ridicule Rudolph and make fun of him because his nose was different from theirs.

They never let poor Rudolph
The other reindeer would never allow Rudolph to join in with their reindeer games.

Join in any reindeer games
Poor Rudolph couldn't participate in typical reindeer activities with his peers.

Then one foggy Christmas Eve
One Christmas Eve where the weather was foggy and poor visibility, something extraordinary happened.

Santa came to say
Santa Claus himself arrived to deliver a message.

"Rudolph, with your nose so bright
Santa addressed Rudolph by highlighting his stunning nose that emanated light.

Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?"
Santa recognizes Rudolph's unique ability to provide light in the fog and asks him to guide his sleigh that Christmas Eve.

Then how the reindeer loved him
After Santa requested Rudolph's help on the foggy Christmas Eve, the other reindeer began to appreciate and adore him.

As they shouted out with glee
The reindeer were overjoyed and elated.

"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
The other reindeer cheered Rudolph's name.

You'll go down in history"
The other reindeer recognize Rudolph's nose as a truly extraordinary attribute and acknowledge that he will be remembered and celebrated for it for years to come.

I just love to eat the bulbs
Now we're hearing from the perspective of a seemingly unrelated individual who enjoys consuming the decorations on their Christmas tree.

Of my Christmas tree
This individual is taking the bulbs off of their own Christmas tree to eat them.

Ever since I was a pup
This person has been consuming the bulbs since they were very young.

When I smile my nose lights up
This individual has their own unique and interesting attribute - when they smile, their nose illuminates.

All of the other plain deer
This person is drawing a comparison between themselves and the other, 'ordinary' deer in Rudolph's herd.

Wished that they could only be
The plain deer look up to Rudolph for his outstanding and remarkable trait and wish they could be more like him.

"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Like the original song, the plain deer recognize and cheer Rudolph's name.

I'll go down in history"
They imagine Rudolph's place in history and wish they could be as memorable and remarkable in their own right.

Lyrics © Roba Music Verlag GMBH, DistroKid, ST. NICHOLAS MUSIC INC., Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Johnny Marks

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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