In addition to her many album releases, Vikki Carr has played concerts for fans around the world, as well as appeared on stage, and television. She has starred in productions of South Pacific, The Unsinkable Molly Brown, and I'm Getting My Act Together and Taking It on the Road. In 2002 she starred in the Reprise production of Steven Sondheim's beloved musical Follies in Los Angeles, garnering glowing reviews from the LA Times, Hollywood Reporter, and Variety. Two years later, Los Angeles PBS affiliate, KCET, filmed a special Vikki Carr: Memories, Memorias: a salute to the English-language hits of the 1940s and 1950s originally composed by Latinos, and featuring guest appearances by Jack Jones, Pepe Aguilar and Arturo Sandoval. PBS again tapped Vikki to host and star in a production celebrating the music of Mexico, Fiesta Mexicana, which was featured on all PBS stations for their June 2008 pledge drive.
Born in El Paso, Texas, and raised in the San Gabriel Valley of California, Vikki Carr, the eldest of seven children, began performing at the tender age of four singing "Adeste Fidelis" in Latin at a Christmas program. She was signed to a contract with Liberty Records in 1961. She recorded "He's a Rebel", which first became a hit in Australia. That title was soon followed by the unforgettable release, It Must Be Him, which charged up the charts in England. A year later, the single was released in the United States and earned Carr three Grammy Award nominations. The international hit emerged again when she and the song were featured in the storyline of the Academy Award winning movie Moonstruck. After "It Must Be Him" came a string of hits, including With Pen in Hand, for which she received her fourth Grammy Award nomination, The Lesson, Can't Take My Eyes Off You, and For Once in My Life.
Her international appeal was so great that she was invited to perform at a Royal Command Performance for Queen Elizabeth II, followed by sold-out shows throughout Europe. In the States, Carr became a darling of the White House, performing regularly at State Dinners and at President Richard Nixon's 1973 Inaugural celebration. President Gerald Ford called her his "favorite Mexican dish". She also performed for Presidents Ronald Reagan, George Bush, and at the 1992 Presidential Summit hosted by President Bill Clinton.
A frequent musical guest on major network variety shows of celebrities like Dean Martin, Ed Sullivan, Perry Como, and Carol Burnett, Carr also taped six specials for London Weekend TV. As an actor, she appeared on the Bing Crosby Show, Mod Squad, Fantasy Island, and co-hosted the Mrs. America and Mrs. World of the World pageants. She was the first woman to regularly guest host for Johnny Carson on the Tonight Show. She was also a visitor and guest host on Michael Jackson's ABC radio show.
The diversity of her rich voice is impressive. She can belt out the blues or touch the heart with a soft romantic ballad. Frank Sinatra once said, "She possesses my kind of voice", Dean Martin called her "the best girl singer in the business", and Bing Crosby and Ella Fitzgerald named her among their three favorite female singers of all time. Elvis Presley was also very fond of her and even remarked on stage in Las Vegas many times that Vikki Carr was one of his favorite singers and that he liked her because "she sang from the gut" and introduced her at many of his personal appearances in which she attended.
Vikki Carr has received numerous prestigious awards, including:
- Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (2008)
- National Hispanic Media Coalition Impact Lifetime Achievement Award (2005)
- Latino Spirit Award (2003)
- Tito Guizar Award (2003)
- Trefoil Award (2002)
- Inductee of the Latino Legends Hall of Fame (2000)
- Imagen Foundation "Humanitarian Award (1998)
- Hispanic Heritage Award (1996)
- Nosotros Golden Eagle Award (1988)
- Hispanic Woman of the Year (1984)
- Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (1981)
- Doctorate in Law from San Diego University (1974)
- Doctorate in Fine Arts from St. Edwards University (1974)
- American Guild of Variety Artists' "Entertainer of the Year" (1972), and
- The Los Angeles Times' highly respected "Woman of the Year" (1970)
She has also earned the career achievement award of the Association of Hispanic Critics, Chicago's Ovation Award, the YWCA Silver Achievement Award, and was honored in 1990 by the City of Hope with the Founder of Hope Award. In 1991, she was presented the Girl Scouts of America Award.
Respected both as an artist and a humanitarian, Carr devotes time to many charities including The United Way, The American Lung Association, Cancer Therapy and Research Center, The Muscular Dystrophy Association, and St Jude's Hospital. For 22 years she held benefit concerts to support Holy Cross High School in San Antonio. In 1971 she established the Vikki Carr Scholarship Foundation, dedicated to offering college scholarships to Latino students in California and Texas. To date, the Foundation has awarded more than 280 scholarships totaling over a quarter of a million dollars.
"My voice is a gift and a gift is nothing unless you can share it. The Foundation is one of the ways that I am able to share my gift", said Carr. "The Foundation seeks to help young Mexican-American students achieve their goals through a college education, something I myself was never able to do."
Official website: http://www.vikkicarr.com/
The Christmas Song
Vikki Carr Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Yule-tide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like Eskimos.
Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
Help to make the season bright
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
They know that Santa's on his way
He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
And every mother's child is gonna spy
To see if reindeer really know how to fly.
And so I'm offering this simple phrase
To kids from one to ninety-two
Although it's been said many times, many ways
Merry Christmas to you!
Vikki Carr's "The Christmas Song" is a well-known holiday classic that highlights the warmth and joy of the holiday season. The opening lyrics, "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose," immediately conjure up images of a cozy, wintry scene.
As the song continues, the charming imagery of the holiday season is further developed. The mention of "Yule-tide carols being sung by a choir" and "folks dressed up like Eskimos" emphasizes the festive spirit and communal nature of the holiday season. The next stanza draws further attention to the role that popular symbols of the season - such as turkeys, mistletoe, and Santa Claus - play in bringing people together and creating a sense of shared excitement.
Finally, the song's refrain - "Merry Christmas to you!" - emphasizes the idea of holiday greetings and good wishes. The repetition of the phrase "many times, many ways" is a gentle reminder that this sentiment transcends any one cultural context, and is something that many people across the world can share.
Line by Line Meaning
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
The sight of chestnuts being roasted on an open flame is a hallmark of the holiday season.
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
The chilly weather of winter is enough to give anyone a rosy nose.
Yule-tide carols being sung by a choir
Hearing the sounds of Christmas carols being sung in unison by a choir is a timeless tradition.
And folks dressed up like Eskimos.
In colder climates, keeping warm with large, thick clothing is a must during the winter months.
Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
Certain items like a festive turkey and mistletoe are universal symbols of the holiday season.
Help to make the season bright
These iconic items bring a sense of joy to the holiday season, helping to make it a cheerful time of year.
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
Children are always excited and full of wonder during the holidays.
Will find it hard to sleep tonight.
The anticipation of what gifts may be waiting for them the next morning can be overwhelming, making it difficult for them to fall asleep.
They know that Santa's on his way
Children believe that Santa Claus is on his way to deliver gifts to all the good boys and girls in the world.
He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
Santa Claus is well-prepared for his journey around the world, with a sleigh full of toys and treats for every child.
And every mother's child is gonna spy
All children, regardless of their background or upbringing, have an innate curiosity about Santa Claus and his activities on Christmas Eve.
To see if reindeer really know how to fly.
One of the most magical parts of the Santa Claus story is the flying reindeer that pull his sleigh around the world on Christmas Eve.
And so I'm offering this simple phrase
Despite the many complexities of the holiday season, a simple message of goodwill can always be appreciated.
To kids from one to ninety-two
The message of peace and love during the holiday season is applicable to people of all ages.
Although it's been said many times, many ways
The message of Merry Christmas has been expressed endlessly throughout history, but its importance never fades.
Merry Christmas to you!
A simple and heartfelt way to wish someone a happy, joyful holiday season.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Mel Torme, Robert Wells
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind