By the late 40s the girls were singing with Perry Como on his radio show, followed him to TV and sang on many of his records from 1949 through 1953, many of which were monster hits. The Fontane's were also signed to an artist's contract with RCA which was Perry's label.
At least 4 of their recordings landed on the Billboard Top 30 charts.
In 1954 the Fontanes left RCA and signed with Randy Wood's Dot Records. Their first single for the label was a remake of an early 20th century hit HAPPY DAYS AND LONELY NIGHTS. The record charted at number 18 in Billboard and their hit string began. One of their follow up releases, HEARTS OF STONE, not only established them as recording stars, but also topped the Billboard charts. By the end of their chart career in 1959, the Fontanes had placed 24 singles on the Billboard Pop charts. A number of others were also listed on the Cashbox charts at a time when they ran to 40 or 50 places while Billboard charts had between 20 and 30 positions.
It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas
The Fontane Sisters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everywhere you go
Take a look in the five-and-ten
Glistening once again
With candy canes and silver lanes aglow
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Toys in ev'ry store
Is the holly that will be
On your own front door
A pair of hopalong boots and a pistol that shoots
Is the wish of Barney and Ben
Dolls that will talk and will go for a walk
Is the hope of Janice and Jen
And mom and dad can hardly wait for school to start again
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Everywhere you go
Now there's a tree in the Grand Hotel
On in the park as well
The sturdy kind that doesn't mind the snow
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Soon the bells will start
And the thing that will make them ring
Is the carol that you sing
Right within your heart
A pair of hopalong boots and a pistol that shoots
Is the wish of Barney and Ben
Dolls that will talk and will go for a walk
Is the hope of Janice and Jen
And mom and dad can hardly wait for school to start again
Aah ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Soon the bells will start
And the thing that will make them ring
Is the carol that you sing
Right within your heart
The Fontane Sisters's song "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" is a classic holiday tune that perfectly captures the joy and excitement of the Christmas season. The song begins by describing the festive atmosphere that can be found everywhere during Christmastime. The "five-and-ten," or dime stores, are stocked with candy canes and shiny decorations, and the streets are lined with silver lanes that shimmer in the winter sunlight. The song's nostalgic tone conjures up images of small-town America where everyone is eager to celebrate the holiday season.
Toys also feature heavily in the song, with mentions of "hopalong boots" and "pistols that shoot," which are on Barney and Ben's wishlist, and "dolls that will talk and go for a walk," which Janice and Jen are hoping to receive. The song's chorus reinforces the idea that Christmas is a time of hope and anticipation, particularly for children who are eagerly looking forward to receiving their gifts.
The song also acknowledges the more traditional aspects of Christmas, with mentions of holly wreaths adorning front doors and the "sturdy" Christmas trees that don't mind the snow. The final verse of the song reminds us that the true joy of Christmas is not found in the material things but in the carols that we sing and the love in our hearts.
Line by Line Meaning
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
The time of Christmas is coming and the signs are everywhere
Everywhere you go
No matter where you look, Christmas decorations and signs are present
Take a look in the five-and-ten
Look at the store displays lined with holiday items
Glistening once again
The decorations are bright and shining as they are every year
With candy canes and silver lanes aglow
The stores are decorated with traditional Christmas sweets and sparkling, illuminated decorations
Toys in ev'ry store
All the stores are stocked with Christmas toys
But the prettiest sight to see
However, the most beautiful sight to see is the holly wreath on your front door
Is the holly that will be
The item that really catches your attention is the holly decoration on your front door
On your own front door
The front door of your own home and the associated decorations
A pair of hopalong boots and a pistol that shoots
Barney and Ben want cowboy-themed gifts
Dolls that will talk and will go for a walk
Janice and Jen are hoping for interactive dolls
And mom and dad can hardly wait for school to start again
The parents are ready for the holidays to end and for school to resume
Now there's a tree in the Grand Hotel
Even expensive hotels are getting in on the Christmas spirit with decorated trees
On in the park as well
Even public parks have decorated trees
The sturdy kind that doesn't mind the snow
The trees used for outdoor decorations are durable and can handle the harsh winter weather
Soon the bells will start
The ringing of festive bells is just around the corner
And the thing that will make them ring
The catalyst for the bell-ringing is the joyous singing of Christmas carols
Is the carol that you sing
The singing of holiday songs by those enjoying the festivities
Right within your heart
The singing and joy comes from within and is a personal experience for each individual
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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