We have a collection of 2 arrangements for Alvin and The Chipmunks - Christmas Don't Be Late
What classic Christmas song features sped-up vocal recordings to simulate chipmunk voices? Learn!
"Christmas, Don't Be Late" is a popular Christmas song by Alvin and the Chipmunks, a fictional animated musical group created by Ross Bagdasarian Sr. Here are some interesting facts about the song and the Chipmunks:
Creation of the Chipmunks: Alvin and the Chipmunks were created by Ross Bagdasarian Sr., also known by his stage name, David Seville. He developed the concept of the Chipmunks and provided the voices for all three characters - Alvin, Simon, and Theodore. The distinctive high-pitched voices were achieved by speeding up the recording.
Debut of "Christmas, Don't Be Late": The song was first released in 1958 as part of the debut album of the Chipmunks, titled "Let's All Sing with The Chipmunks."
Chart Success: "Christmas, Don't Be Late" was a massive hit and reached No. 41 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1958. It has since become a holiday classic and is still played on the radio during the Christmas season.
The Song's Meaning: The song features Alvin expressing his impatience for Christmas and his wish for presents, while his chipmunk brothers, Simon and Theodore, remind him about the true meaning of Christmas. It's a playful and heartwarming reminder of the holiday spirit.
Chipmunks TV Show: The success of the song led to the creation of an animated TV show titled "The Alvin Show" in 1961, which later evolved into several other Chipmunks television series and movies.
Recording Process: Creating the unique Chipmunk voices required Bagdasarian to record each voice part separately and then speed it up in post-production. This innovative technique was groundbreaking at the time.
Award-Winning Song: The song won three Grammy Awards in 1959 for Best Comedy Performance, Best Children's Recording, and Best Engineered Record (Non-Classical).
Covers and Parodies: Over the years, many artists and performers have covered the song, and it has also been parodied in various forms of media.
Longevity: "Christmas, Don't Be Late" remains a beloved Christmas song to this day, and it is featured in various Christmas-themed movies and specials featuring the Chipmunks.
Trademark Squeaky Voices: The Chipmunks' trademark high-pitched voices have been a defining characteristic of the characters. They have been impersonated and mimicked in countless forms of media.
"Christmas, Don't Be Late" is not only a holiday classic but also an iconic representation of the Chipmunks and their creator's innovative approach to music and animation. It continues to bring joy and nostalgia to audiences of all ages during the Christmas season.