It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

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"It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas"
Song
LanguageEnglish
Published1951 by Plymouth Music
GenreChristmas
Songwriter(s)Meredith Willson

"It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" is a Christmas song written in 1951 by Meredith Willson. The song was originally titled "It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas". The song has been recorded by many artists, but was a hit for Perry Como and The Fontane Sisters with Mitchell Ayres & His Orchestra on September 18, 1951, and released on RCA Victor as 47-4314 (45 rpm) and 20-4314 (78 rpm). Bing Crosby recorded a version on October 1, 1951, which was also widely played.

Background and writing[]

A popular belief in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, holds that Willson wrote the song while staying in Yarmouth's Grand Hotel.[1] The song makes reference to a "tree in the Grand Hotel, one in the park as well..."; the park being Frost Park, directly across the road from the Grand Hotel, which still operates in a newer building on the same site as the old hotel.[2] It also makes mention of the five and ten which was a store operating in Yarmouth at the time.

It is also possible that the "Grand Hotel" Willson mentions in the song was inspired by the Historic Park Inn Hotel in his hometown of Mason City, Iowa. The Park Inn Hotel is the last remaining hotel in the world designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright, and is situated in downtown Mason City overlooking central park.

In popular culture[]

Meredith Willson incorporated the song into his 1963 Broadway musical Here's Love, where it is sung in counterpoint to the newly composed song "Pine Cones and Holly Berries".

Johnny Mathis recorded the song for his 1986 album Christmas Eve with Johnny Mathis; this version gained popularity after its inclusion in the film Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. Gradually, Mathis's recording began to receive wide radio airplay, and for the past several[when?] years this version has been a Top 10 Christmas hit.

Perry Como version[]

Perry Como and The Fontane Sisters with Mitchell Ayres & His Orchestra released their cover of "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" on September 18, 1951, becoming one of the biggest versions of the song, which is still widely played today, with over 128 million streams on Spotify as of August 30, 2020.

Weekly charts[]

Chart (2008–2021) Peak
position
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[3] 44
Germany (Official German Charts)[4] 90
Global 200 (Billboard)[5] 28
Greece International Digital Singles (IFPI)[6] 45
Hungary (Stream Top 40)[7] 19
Latvia (LAIPA)[8] 20
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[9] 53
Portugal (AFP)[10] 75
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[11] 41
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[12] 77
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[13] 65
UK Singles (OCC)[14] 47
US Billboard Hot 100[15] 12
US Holiday 100 (Billboard)[16] 8
US Rolling Stone Top 100[17] 5

Certifications and sales[]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[18] Silver 200,000double-dagger

double-dagger Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Michael Bublé version[]

"It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas"
Single by Michael Bublé
from the album Christmas
Released18 November 2012 (2012-11-18)
Recorded2011
Genre
  • Christmas
  • Traditional pop
  • jazz
Length3:27
LabelReprise
Songwriter(s)Meredith Willson
Michael Bublé singles chronology
"Georgia on My Mind"
(2012) 		"It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas"
(2012) 		"White Christmas"
(2012)

Canadian singer Michael Bublé's version was first released on October 24, 2011, as the first track of Bublé's Christmas album. However, it was then released as the album's second single on November 18, 2012, achieving greater success. In the UK, the song peaked at #7 in 2018.

Weekly charts[]

Chart (2011–2021) Peak
position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[19] 6
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[20] 4
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[21] 8
Denmark (Tracklisten)[22] 7
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[23] 5
France (SNEP)[24] 68
Germany (Official German Charts)[25] 6
Global 200 (Billboard)[26] 10
Greece International Digital Singles (IFPI)[27] 18
Hungary (Single Top 40)[28] 9
Hungary (Stream Top 40)[29] 2
Ireland (IRMA)[30] 10
Italy (FIMI)[31] 3
Latvia (LAIPA)[32] 8
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[33] 3
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[34] 5
Norway (VG-lista)[35] 4
Portugal (AFP)[36] 7
Scotland (OCC)[37] 60
Singapore (RIAS)[38] 23
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[39] 75
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[40] 6
South Korea (Gaon)[41] 186
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[42] 45
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[43] 4
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[44] 6
UK Singles (OCC)[45] 7
US Billboard Hot 100[46] 23
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[47] 2
US Christian Songs (Billboard)[48] 32
US Holiday 100 (Billboard)[49] 10
US Rolling Stone Top 100[50] 19

Year-end charts[]

Chart (2020) Position
Hungary (Single Top 40)[51] 100

Certifications and sales[]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[52] Platinum 90,000double-dagger
Italy (FIMI)[53] Platinum 50,000double-dagger
New Zealand (RMNZ)[54] Platinum 15,000double-dagger
Portugal (AFP)[55] Gold 5,000double-dagger
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[56] Gold 20,000double-dagger
United Kingdom (BPI)[57] Platinum 600,000double-dagger

double-dagger Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Other notable versions[]

References[]

  1. ^ Medel, Brian (2011-11-20). "Christmas looks a lot like Yarmouth in classic tune". The Chronicle Herald. Halifax, Nova Scotia. Archived from the original on 2011-12-23. Retrieved 2014-11-07.
  2. ^ Yarmouth, N.S. Landmarks - The Old Grand Hotel, archived from the original on 2010-12-11, retrieved 2014-11-07
  3. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 20185152 into search. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
  4. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Perry Como & The Fontane Sisters – It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
  5. ^ "Perry Como Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  6. ^ "Official IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) – Week: 52/2018". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on January 14, 2019. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
  7. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Stream Top 40 slágerlista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
  8. ^ "Mūzikas patēriņa tops gadu mijā" (in Latvian). LAIPA. Archived from the original on October 10, 2019. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  9. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Perry Como & The Fontane Sisters – It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  10. ^ "Portuguesecharts.com – Perry Como & The Fontane Sisters – It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  11. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 20185152 into search. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
  12. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Perry Como & The Fontane Sisters – It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas". Singles Top 100. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
  13. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Perry Como & The Fontane Sisters – It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  14. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
  15. ^ "Perry Como Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  16. ^ "Perry Como Chart History (Holiday 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  17. ^ "Top 100 Songs". Rolling Stone. December 17, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  18. ^ "British single certifications – Perry Como – It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 16, 2019.Select singles in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  19. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Michael Bublé – It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
  20. ^ "Michael Buble Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  21. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 201851 into search. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  22. ^ "Track Top-40 Uge 52, 2018". Hitlisten. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  23. ^ "Michael Bublé: It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  24. ^ "Top Singles (téléchargement + streaming)". Syndicat National de l'édition Phonographique. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  25. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Michael Bublé – It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  26. ^ "Michael Buble Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
  27. ^ "Official IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) – Week: 52/2018". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on January 14, 2019. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
  28. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  29. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Stream Top 40 slágerlista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  30. ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
  31. ^ "Classifiche" (in Italian). Retrieved June 9, 2019.
  32. ^ "Mūzikas patēriņa tops gadu mijā" (in Latvian). LAIPA. Archived from the original on October 10, 2019. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  33. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Michael Bublé – It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  34. ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. December 31, 2018. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  35. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Michael Bublé – It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas". VG-lista. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
  36. ^ "Portuguesecharts.com – Michael Bublé – It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  37. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  38. ^ "Singapore Top 30 Digital Streaming Chart – Week 52" (PDF). Recording Industry Association (Singapore). Archived from the original (PDF) on January 3, 2019.
  39. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201851 into search. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  40. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201851 into search. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  41. ^ "Digital Chart – Week 52 of 2019". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Retrieved January 2, 2020.
  42. ^ "Spanishcharts.com – Michael Bublé – It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
  43. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Michael Bublé – It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas". Singles Top 100. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
  44. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Michael Bublé – It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  45. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  46. ^ "Michael Buble Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  47. ^ "Michael Buble Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  48. ^ "Michael Buble Chart History (Hot Christian Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  49. ^ "Michael Buble Chart History (Holiday 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  50. ^ "Top 100 Songs". Rolling Stone. December 24, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  51. ^ "Single Top 100 - eladási darabszám alapján - 2020". Mahasz. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
  52. ^ "Danish single certifications – Michael Buble – It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved January 16, 2019. Scroll through the page-list below until year 2019 to obtain certification.
  53. ^ "Italian single certifications – Michael Bublé – It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved December 16, 2019. Select "2019" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
  54. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Michael Bublé – It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
  55. ^ "Portuguese single certifications" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  56. ^ "Spanish single certifications" (in Spanish). Productores de Música de España. Retrieved December 18, 2020. Select Songs under "Chart", enter 2020 in the field "Year". Select 50 in the field "Semana". Click on "Search Charts".
  57. ^ "British single certifications – Michael Buble – It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
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