The Twelve Days Of Christmas

Despite what the commercials tell you, the Twelve Days of Christmas actually come after Christmas. No, really. Those twelve days mark the time from Christmas Day to Epiphany. I'm not going to get into the weeds of the religious history, though if you're interested, you can check out the info on Wikipedia RIGHT HERE.

I always mention this fact, year after year, as it seems many people lose their enthusiasm for Christmas a day or two after, and seem to be like this...

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For the first ten years, the Sounds of Christmas stayed on through January 6. And while there was a drop-off in listeners, it was surprising that so many people, in so many different countries, continued to listen.

Also, listeners sent in emails and messages, asking us to stay on all year long. That seemed a bit much, and I went back and forth on that. Finally, a few years ago, I decided to give it a try.

Surprisingly, aside from that initial drop-off after Christmas Day, thousands continued to listen, all over globe.

Some people don't like the idea of year round Christmas music, and I get that. It's not for everybody. Some don't like it before Thanksgiving, or before December 1. And some don't like it at all. That's okay. No one has to listen.

But, for those who do enjoy it, the Sounds of Christmas is here for you. Any time you need some Christmas spirit, just click on the player (on the website or through the app) and enjoy it as the Sounds of Christmas turns the Twelve Days of Christmas into Twelve Months.

​As far as the song goes, there are lots of versions of "The Twelve Days of Christmas". Not just different artists and different arrangements, but actual different versions, where the twelve items are in different orders, or the items are actually replaced with other things.

Not going to get into the weeds on the history of this, either, or proclaim which versions are correct, and which ones are more correct than others. Instead, I'll just post some of my favorites.

Keep in mind, these are personal choices, and not proclamations. And, in an effort to maintain transparency, I'm not selecting versions done by any singers or bands that have advertised with us (this year or in year's past).

​That said, here we go...

Bing Crosby with the Andrews Sisters come first. Bing had so many wonderful Christmas songs, it's a shame that most get overlooked. 

Not too many still play Mitch Miller's Christmas music, which is too bad, as it's a fun reflection of its time.

Fast-forwarding through the years, the Muppets are connected to two of my favorites, first with John Denver and then, years later, with Jimmy Fallon (unfortunately, the Jimmy Fallon version has been removed from YouTube)... 

Roger McGuinn if the Byrds has been releasing a free Christmas song every year through his Folk Den Project website, and he put out a version of this a little over ten years ago. In 2020, he collected many of these songs and released them on a new album, simply called "Merry Christmas"...

The a cappella group Straight No Chase burst on the scene almost fifteen years ago when their take on "The Twelve Days Of Christmas" became a viral video (one that had originally been recorded in 1998)...

Just a few years ago, Jimmy Buffett put his own stamp on it...

Destiny's Child has also made the song their own...

Of course, making the song one's own isn't anything new. Andy Williams did that on his first Christmas album in 1963...

Other artists have not only made it their own, but made it a parody, often by simply changing the gifts. Allan Sherman did that the same year Andy Williams released his first Christmas album...

Many parodies have followed, but the probably most well-known is by Bob Rivers...

A lesser known parody, which might not be a parody at all but just more of a "bit", comes from comedian Norm McDonald, who illustrates what it might be like to be on the receiving end of all those gifts...

Obviously, there are many more than what I've listed here. Please don't be upset if your favorite isn't here. There are over seventy versions of this song in our library, and there's a pretty good change yours is in there.

Since I've posted eleven videos above, it seems like I really should add one more. And this one is truly one of my favorites. From Second City's Bob and Doug McKenzie... 

Looking over this list, I think it's a pretty good example of the kind of variety played on the Sounds of Christmas. And as we get farther from Christmas 2020, and closer to Christmas 2021, I hope whenever you feel a need of some Christmas spirit, you'll stop by.

And may you always believe in Santa Claus.

​Ken