“Patty Andrews, the lead singer of the Andrews sisters group was born in Mound, Minnesota on February 16, 1918 in a house that occupied the property where The Gillespie Center stands today.
During the 1920’s Laverne, Maxene and Patty Andrews spent their summers in Mound, living with their parents in a house across the street from the grocery store that was owned by Pete and Ed Sollie, bachelor uncles of the three girls. (Today, Green T Accounting occupies the Sollie grocery store building and The Gillespie Center is on the land where the Andrews Sisters’ house once stood.)” - From a commentary by Tom Rockvam that appeared in The Laker Newspaper during 2005.
They started their career as imitators of an earlier successful singing group, the Boswell Sisters. After singing with various dance bands and touring on Vaudeville, they first came to national attention with their recordings and radio broadcasts in 1937. Their music entertained Allied troops worldwide during World War II, sold war bonds, appeared in several films (including a few Abbott and Costello features), and performed for soldiers serving overseas. Their first film with Abbott and Costello, the pre-war comedy Buck Privates, introduced their best-known recording, "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" which would win Best Song at the Academy Awards.
They also recorded many songs with Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and other popular artists of the era. Their popularity was such that after the war they discovered that some of their records had actually been smuggled into Germany after the labels had been changed to read "Hitler's Marching Songs."
After a brief hiatus after the war, the sisters regrouped, performing in clubs throughout the United States and Europe. They broke up in 1953, with Patty's choice to go solo. Their last appearance together was in 1962 on The Dean Martin Show. Laverne, who had cancer, retired soon after; she died five years later, in 1967 at the age of 55.
After a long silence, the two surviving sisters had something of a comeback when Bette Midler recorded a cover of their song "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy." Maxene and Patty appeared both together and separately throughout the 1970s, with Maxene releasing a solo album in 1986. Their most notable comeback; however, was in the Sherman Brothers' nostalgic World War II musical: "Over Here!" which premiered on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre in 1974. The musical featured the two then living sisters (Maxene and Patty) and was written with them in mind for the leads. It launched the careers of many, now notable theater and film icons (John Travolta, Marilu Henner, Ann Reinking, et al). Ironically it was the last major hurrah of the sisters and was cut short due to a frivolous lawsuit initiated by Patty's husband to the show's producers.
Throughout their long career, the sisters had sold over 60 million records. The group was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1998.
The last of the three sisters Patty Andrews died of natural causes at her home in Northridge, California on January 30, 2013, just 17 days before her 95th birthday. The sisters were interred in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California, close to their parents.
Merry Christmas Polka
The Andrews Sisters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We can't dance the Christmas polka
Hear sleigh-bells ringing' everybody's singing
Dancing the Christmas polka
Christmas trees and holly make everyone so jolly
And love just fills the air
It's a wonderful world for a boy and a girl
While dancing the Christmas polka
The merry Christmas polka, let's dance, let's dance, let's dance
Everyone's so happy, the air is filled with romance
Watch the sweethearts kissing' as they dance underneath the mistletoe
It's a sight to behold for the young and the old
The merry Christmas polka
This is Christmas season so there isn't any reason
We can't dance the Christmas polka
Hear sleigh-bells ringing' everybody's singing
Dancing the Christmas polka
Christmas trees and holly make everyone so jolly
And love just fills the air
It's a wonderful world for a boy and a girl
While dancing the Christmas polka
The Andrew Sisters's "Merry Christmas Polka" is a festive song about the joy and celebration of the holiday season. The lyrics encourage people to dance the Christmas polka as there is no reason not to during this time of the year. The song captures the cheerful and romantic spirit of Christmas, with mentions of sleigh-bells ringing, singing, Christmas trees, holly, and love filling the air. The holiday season is described as a wonderful world for both boys and girls.
The chorus of "Merry Christmas Polka" repeats three times, inviting everyone to dance joyfully to the rhythm of the music. The lyrics also mention the gratifying sight of sweethearts kissing under the mistletoe. The song highlights the importance of happiness, love, and togetherness during the holiday season, all of which can be celebrated while dancing the Christmas polka.
Line by Line Meaning
This is Christmas season so there isn't any reason
Since it's Christmas time, we have every reason to celebrate
We can't dance the Christmas polka
Let's dance the Christmas polka and make the most of the festive season
Hear sleigh-bells ringing' everybody's singing
The joyous sound of sleigh bells and singing fills the air
Dancing the Christmas polka
Let's keep dancing to make this Christmas even more delightful
Christmas trees and holly make everyone so jolly
The festive decorations, like Christmas trees and holly, bring cheer to all
And love just fills the air
The holiday spirit brings about love and happiness
It's a wonderful world for a boy and a girl
The Christmas season is magical and enchanting for everyone, regardless of age or gender
While dancing the Christmas polka
We'll keep dancing the Christmas polka to keep the festive spirit alive
The merry Christmas polka, let's dance, let's dance, let's dance
We're all invited to celebrate and dance to the merry Christmas polka
Everyone's so happy, the air is filled with romance
The atmosphere is full of joy and love during the Christmas season
Watch the sweethearts kissing' as they dance underneath the mistletoe
We can witness the beautiful sight of couples expressing their love under the mistletoe
It's a sight to behold for the young and the old
The sight of love and merriment is a delight for everyone, regardless of age
The merry Christmas polka
Let's keep dancing to the merry Christmas polka to keep the festive mood alive
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Paul Francis Webster, Sonny Burke
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@romeoandsusandial5340
Our Family use to listen to this Christmas song way back 1960 it’s beautiful I was 7 yrs old merry Christmas to all. & a very happy healthy New year 20/24 🕊🙏❤️💕❤️🕊🦋🦋🌼🦋🌹🦋🌺🦋🌸🕊🙏🦋🕊🙏🕊🦋🙏🕊🦋🙏🦋🙏🦋🙏🕊
@ginamango3724
My parents used to listen this beautiful Christmas song when I was a child & I love listening to it. I miss them so much ❤😢
@gelay608
Iv searched for this song long long time ago, thanks goodness iv found it,..this is actually my fave xmas song when i was a little girl, ..❤
@rothermatela1117
So festive 🎄🎅
@deborahrich6514
Those were the days!!! The Andrew Sisters were the best! I love music from the 40's and 50's! Merry Christmas everyone!
@chieduodiatu2872
This makes me remember of when my family and I went on a road trip.
@caydenxzavier2723
I realize Im quite randomly asking but does anybody know of a good place to stream new series online?
@aaronbryan6824
@Cayden Xzavier I would suggest Flixzone. Just google for it :)
@seankyree1619
@Cayden Xzavier I would suggest FlixZone. Just google for it :)
@easttexasnomad5981
I haven't heard this song since I was a kid probably 50 years ago. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.