About The Song
In 1939, Rudolph’s creator, Robert L. May, crafted the character as a task for Montgomery Ward, commissioned by Marks, his brother-in-law. Subsequently, Marks opted to transform Rudolph’s tale into a song. In 1972, Ian Whitcomb, a British singer-songwriter, and entertainer, engaged Marks in a discussion about the song’s genesis.
The song underwent modification with an introductory segment, paraphrasing the poem “A Visit from Saint Nicholas,” whose copyright had expired by the time the song materialized. This introduction listed the names of the eight reindeer:
“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?”
Debuting on New York Radio (WOR) in November 1949 by crooner Harry Brannon, the song was initially performed live. Gene Autry recorded the song on June 27, 1949, and Columbia Records released it as a children’s record in September 1949. By November of the same year, Columbia had started promoting the record in the pop music market, achieving No. 1 status in the US charts during Christmas 1949.
Originally considered as a “B” side for a record, Autry initially rejected the song. However, persuaded by his wife, he embraced it. The official recognition of its No. 1 status occurred in the week ending January 7, 1950, marking it as the inaugural No. 1 song of the 1950s. Autry’s rendition holds a unique distinction, being the sole chart-topping hit to completely fall off the chart after reaching No. 1. The success of this Christmas song bolstered Autry’s subsequent popular Easter song, “Here Comes Peter Cottontail.”
On the December 6, 1949, Fibber McGee and Molly radio broadcast, Teeny and the Kingsmen vocal group performed the song with lyrics differing significantly from Autry’s version. Autry’s recording achieved significant sales, selling 1.75 million copies in its first Christmas season and 1.5 million the following year. Recognized with a gold disk by the RIAA in 1969 for sales surpassing 7 million, it became Columbia’s highest-selling record at that time, ultimately reaching 12.5 million in total sales. Including cover versions, the song’s sales surpassed 150 million copies, ranking second only to Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas.”
Autry revisited the song in the fall of 1957, releasing another version with a full orchestra and chorus through his record label, Challenge Records. This rendition stands as the only alternative version of the song recorded and released on an album by Autry.
In 1959, Chuck Berry introduced a sequel, “Run Rudolph Run” (alternatively titled “Run Run Rudolph”), initially credited to Berry but subsequent releases often credited Marks and Marvin Brodie.
Remarkably, Autry’s original version entered the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 36 in December 2018, almost 70 years after its initial charting. It climbed to No. 27 by the week ending December 22, 2018, reaching its peak at No. 16 by the week ending January 5, 2019.
Video
Lyrics
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 glowsAll of the other reindeer
Used to laugh and call him names
They never let poor Rudolph
Join in any reindeer gamesThen 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 glowsAll of the other reindeer
Used to laugh and call him names
They never let poor Rudolph
Join in any reindeer gamesThen 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!”