Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Gene Autry
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You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen But do you recall The most famous reindeer of all? 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" 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"
The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com
Written by: Johnny Marks
Lyrics © Roba Music Verlag GMBH, ST. NICHOLAS MUSIC INC.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Popular Holiday Song"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" by Gene Autry has become one of the most popular holiday songs worldwide, further solidifying its status as a yuletide classic.
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Release DateThe song was first recorded and released in 1949, in keeping with the Christmas spirit.
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Song's AuthorThe song was written by Johnny Marks, based on a story of the same name created by Robert L. May, a copywriter at the department store Montgomery Ward.
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Sales MilestoneAutry's recording of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer sold 2.5 million copies the first year, eventually selling a total of 25 million, and it remained the second best-selling record of all time until the 1980s.
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Chart PerformanceIt was the first No.1 song on the Billboard pop singles chart, where it stayed for a week, adding a significant feather to Gene Autry's cap.
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Autry's Singing Cowboy ImageGene Autry, known as the "singing cowboy", was a big movie star in Western films when he recorded "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer". The song's success boosted his career further.
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May and Marks RelationshipInterestingly, the author of the song, Johnny Marks, was the brother-in-law of Robert L. May who created the story, linking their creative works permanently.
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Autry's Initial ReactionGene Autry wasn't initially impressed with "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer" but his wife convinced him to give it a shot, resulting in as a major hit.
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Resonance With Underdog ThemesMany listeners find the song uplifting because it tells the story of an underdog who becomes the hero, a theme that has resonated with audiences for generations.
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Accompanying Animated SpecialIn 1964, an animated television special based on the song was created by Rankin/Bass Productions and has since become a classic holiday favorite, enhancing the song's cultural impact and longevity.
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Citation
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