Who Wrote The Christmas Songs?

This is interesting. Did you know that many of the popular Christmas songs were actually written by Jewish composers such as one of my favorites, White Christmas! 

1. “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire” by Mel Torme

Written by Mel Torme, a Jewish singer who was born in 1925 as Melvin Howard Torme, He grew up in Chicago to a working class Jewish family.

Read about the other 12 songs!!

2. “Let it Snow” by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne

Sammy Chan (born Samuel Cohen I 1913) was a lyricist, songwriter, and musician born to Galician Jewish immigrants and was raised in New York City’s Lower East Side.

3. “Santa Baby” by Joan Javits and Phil Springer

Written by two Jewish composers, Joan Javits and Phil Springer, the jazzy song became very popular when it was recorded by singer Eartha Kitt in 1953.

4. “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” by George Wyle and Eddie Pola

Written by a Jewish composers, George Wile and Edward Pola. In his early years, Wile was a regular performer in the Catskills and eventually wrote the theme song for Gilligan's Island. Pola grew up in New York City.  The song was written in 1963 and became a hit when recorded by Andy Williams. 

5. “Silver Bells” by Ray Evans and Jay Livingston

Written by  Ray Evans and Jay Livingston, two Jewish composers who met as students at the University of Pennsylvania. 

6. “White Christmas” by Irving Berlin

Irving Berlin, who also wrote “God Bless America” and many other popular masterpieces, was born in Siberia, Russia. His family escaped religious persecution by fleeing to the U.S in 1893, and initially lived in poverty (like many other immigrants) on the the Lower East Side of New York City. As a youngster, Berlin had to work rather than attend school. He also made money to help his family survive by singing on street corners. 

7-10. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” “A Holly, Jolly Christmas,” and “Silver and Gold” by Johnny Marks

Johnny Marks grew up in Mt. Vernon, New York —In 1949, he wrote “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” “A Holly, Jolly Christmas,” and “Silver and Gold.” Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was co-written by Robert Louis May another composer of Jewish decent. 

11. “Walkin’ In a Winter Wonderland” by Felix Bernard and Richard B. Smith 

This song was written and published by Jewish composer and conductor Felix Bernard with his non-Jewish colleague Richard B. Smith.