Best-Selling Children’s Records (Xmas)

Joel Whitburn Presents Christmas in the Charts, 1920 to 2004 shares this information: “Billboard published a best-selling children’s records chart from June 12th, 1948 through November 12th, 1955. This chart was researched for children’s Christmas records that charted during the holiday season.”

There were a lot of repeated songs, which might have led to the chart’s demise.

Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer – Gene Autry (1949), #1. After my father-in-law Richard died in 2020, I went through many of his CDs, a collection I had previously been unaware of. I got a non-holiday Gene Autry.

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus – Jimmy Boyd (1952), #1

Frosty the Snow Man – Gene Autry (1950), #2. With the Cass County Boys and an orchestra conducted by Carl Cotner. This was available as a 78, then a 45.  

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus – Spike Jones (1953), #4. The little-child vocal is by George Rock, “the heavy-set trumpeter in the Jones band.” 

Thirty-Two Feet, Eight Little Tails – Gene Autry (1951), #5

Susie Snowflake – Rosemary Clooney, #5. The orchestra was conducted by Tony Mottola.

Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer – Bing Crosby (1950) #6. With Jud Conlon’s Rhythmaires and John Scott Trotter & his Orchestra.

St. Nick

The Night Before Christmas – Milton Cross (1948), #6. The Clement Moore poem was originally released on a 1939 Victor recording. Musical background was performed by the Victor Salon Orchestra and was arranged and conducted by Rosario Bourdon. 

Frosty the Snow Man – Red Foley (1951), #6. With Shirley, Julie, and Jenny Foley, “The Little Foleys.” Producer: Paul Cohen

A Visit From Saint Nicholas (‘Twas the Night Before Christmas) – Fred Waring (1952), #6. This was originally released in 1942.  Waring and his Pennsylvanians, vocal by the Glee Club, Swingarettes, Jack Best, Gordon Goodman and Twin Trios Here’s the familiar Ken Darby arrangement. Waring would re-do it in later years, once more for Decca and then for Capitol. When I was in the high school choir, we performed a lot of Fred Waring song arrangements. 

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