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The Little Drummer Boy

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This article is about the Christmas song. For the movie about a little drummer boy who does not want to grow up, see The Tin Drum (film). For the 1968 stop motion animated film, see The Little Drummer Boy (TV special).
"The Little Drummer Boy"
Song
B-side"Die Lorelei" (20th Fox)
"O' Holy Night" (20th Century-Fox)
"Hallelujah" (Kapp)
"O' Bambino (One Cold and Blessed Winter)" (Kapp Winners Circle; MCA)
File:CaroloftheDrummusic.jpg
K.K. Davis' "The Little Drummer Boy" was first recorded in 1951as "Carol of the Drum"
Modern-day "Little Drummer Boy" reenactment actor, from the show "Data-Driven Drumming."

"The Little Drummer Boy" (originally known as "Carol of the Drum") is a popular Christmas song written by the American classical music composer and teacher Katherine Kennicott Davis in 1941.[1] It was recorded in 1951 by the Trapp Family Singers and realised on the choir's first lp " Christmas with the Trapp Family Singers " and released as a single (45rpm). These were the first recordings released on their new record label Decca Records and further popularized by a 1958 recording by the Harry Simeone Chorale. This version was re-released successfully for several years and the song has been recorded many times since.[2]

In the lyrics the singer relates how, as a poor young boy, he was summoned by the Magi to the nativity where, without a gift for the infant Jesus, he played his drum with the Virgin Mary's approval, remembering "I played my best for Him" and "He smiled at me."

Origins

The song was originally titled "Carol of the Drum" and was published by Davis as based upon a traditional Czech carol.[3] Davis's interest was in producing material for amateur and girls' choirs: her manuscript is set as a chorale, the tune in the soprano with alto harmony, tenor and bass parts producing the "drum rhythm" and a keyboard accompaniment "for rehearsal only". It is headed "Czech Carol freely transcribed by K.K.D", these initials then deleted and replaced with "C.R.W. Robinson", a name under which Davis sometimes published.[4][5] The Czech original of the carol has never been identified.

"Carol of the Drum" appealed to the Austrian Trapp Family Singers, who first brought the song to wider prominence when they recorded it for Decca Records in 1955, shortly before they retired: their version was credited solely to Davis and published by Belwin-Mills.[6] In 1957 it was recorded, with a slightly altered arrangement, by the Jack Halloran Singers for their album Christmas Is A-Comin' on Dot Records. Dot's Henry Onorati introduced the song to his friend Harry Simeone and the following year, when 20th Century Fox Records contracted him to make a Christmas album, Simeone, making further small changes to the Halloran arrangement[7] and retitling it "The Little Drummer Boy", recorded it with the Harry Simeone Chorale on the album Sing We Now of Christmas. Simeone and Onorati claimed joint composition credits with Davis.[2]

The album and the song were an enormous success, the single scoring on the U.S. music charts from 1958 to 1962. In 1963, the album was reissued under the title The Little Drummer Boy: A Christmas Festival, capitalizing on the single's popularity. The following year the album was released in stereo. In 1988, The Little Drummer Boy: A Christmas Festival was released on CD by Casablanca Records,[2] and subsequently, on Island Records.[8] Harry Simeone, who in 1964 had signed with Kapp Records, recorded a new version of "The Little Drummer Boy" in 1965 for his album O' Bambino: The Little Drummer Boy.[2] Simeone recorded the song a third and final time in 1981, for an album (again titled The Little Drummer Boy) on the budget Holiday Records label.

The story depicted in the song is somewhat similar to a 12th-century legend retold by Anatole France as Le Jongleur de Notre Dame (French: Our Lady's Juggler), which was adapted into an opera in 1902 by Jules Massenet. In the French legend, however, a juggler juggles before the statue of the Virgin Mary, and the statue, according to which version of the legend one reads, either smiles at him or throws him a rose (or both, as in the 1984 television film, The Juggler of Notre Dame.)

Other versions

The popularity of the "The Little Drummer Boy" can be seen by the number of cover versions, a total of over 220 versions in seven languages are known, in all kinds of music genres:

1950s

  • The Trapp Family Singers, whose life story provided some inspiration for Rodgers and Hammerstein in their musical The Sound of Music, recorded a song titled "Carol of the Drum" (identified on the Decca record jacket as a "Czech carol") prior to their 1955 retirement. This song strongly resembles "The Little Drummer Boy" in music and lyrics, except for replacing the lamb with an ass in the line "The ox and lamb kept time."
  • 1957: The Jack Halloran Singers included "Carol of the Drum" on their Christmas album, Christmas Is A-Comin'. The album was reissued two years later as The Little Drummer Boy to capitalize on the success of the 1958 version by the Harry Simeone Chorale.
  • 1958: The popular Harry Simeone Chorale recording rose to No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, despite its late issue date in November. Simeone would re-record the song in 1965, and again in 1981.
  • 1959: The Beverley Sisters' version reached No. 6 on the UK Singles Chart.

1960s

1961
  • The Jack Halloran Singers' 1957 version of the song was released as a single with the title "The Little Drummer Boy," and it peaked at No. 96 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in early January 1962.
1962
1963
1964
1965
1966
  • Joan Baez recorded a version of the song for her Christmas album, Noël, which peaked at No. 16 on Billboard magazine's special Christmas Singles chart in December of '66.
  • Henry Mancini recorded a version of the song for his Christmas album, A Merry Mancini Christmas.
  • The Crusaders released their version of the song as a single. It was also included on their November 1966 debut album, which is regarded as one of the first Christian rock albums.
1967
  • Lou Rawls released a version of the song on his Christmas album, Merry Christmas Ho! Ho! Ho! This version was also released as a Capitol Records single that peaked at No. 2 on Billboard magazine's special Christmas Singles chart in December of '67, and then at No. 5 on the same chart in December 1969.
  • Kenny Burrell released an instrumental version of the song that peaked at No. 21 on Billboard magazine's special Christmas Singles chart in late December of '67.
  • Stevie Wonder released a version of the song on his Christmas album, Someday at Christmas.
1968
1969
  • Jimi Hendrix recorded a cover of the song, his last and final recording before his death next year in 1970. which was later included on his 1999 holiday EP, Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.

1970s

1970
1972
1975
  • The studio instrumental disco group Moonlion released an instrumental version of the song that peaked at No. 95 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in early January 1976.
1977
  • One of the more popular versions of the song was recorded for Bing Crosby's final holiday television special (Bing Crosby's Merrie Olde Christmas) as a medley titled "Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy", which was a duet by the unusual pairing of Crosby and David Bowie.[10] Bowie did not want to sing "Little Drummer Boy", so the new song was added for him.[11]
1979

1980s

1981
1984
  • An Italian version was recorded by I Cavalieri del Re, an Italian band that specialized in cartoon songs.
1985
  • The Canadian Brass released an instrumental version of the song or their Christmas album, A Canadian Brass Christmas.
  • Soprano Kiri te Kanawa recorded the song for her 1982 Christmas album Christmas With Kiri.
  • Ray Charles released a version on his Christmas album The Spirit of Christmas.
1987
1988
1989

1990–1999

1990
1991
  • Take 6 released a version of the song on their Christmas album, He Is Christmas.
  • The British band The Yobs released a parody version of the song titled "Rub-a-Dum-Dum."
  • Jazz guitarist Tuck Andress recorded an instrumental version of the song for his album, Hymns, Carols and Songs about Snow.
  • Al Bano & Romina Power released an Italian version of the song titled "Il Piccolo Tamburino."
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
  • Alicia Keys released a modified version of the song titled "Little Drummer Girl" on the Christmas album, Jermaine Dupri Presents Twelve Soulful Nights Of Christmas.
  • German punk band Die Toten Hosen released a version of the song on their album, Wir warten auf's Christkind under their pseudonym Die Roten Rosen (other Christmas songs were included on this album).
  • Chicago released a version of the song on their first Christmas album, Chicago XXV.
1999
  • Minnesota band Low published their EP Christmas, a collection of assorted Christmas songs including a version of "The Little Drummer Boy."
  • The West Wing's first Christmas episode, "In Excelsis Deo," featured a boys choir singing the song over a funeral service. The episode went on to win multiple Emmy Awards.
  • Swedish artist Carola Häggkvist recorded the song in a duet with Blues for her Christmas album, Jul i Betlehem.
  • Ringo Starr released a version of the song on his twelfth studio album, I Wanna Be Santa Claus
  • The Three Tenors performed this song for their 1999 Christmas concert which was released on CD and DVD as The Three Tenors Christmas.

2000–2009

2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
  • Vanessa Williams released a cover of the song on her second Christmas album, Silver & Gold.
  • Jessica Simpson released a version of the song featuring her sister Ashlee Simpson on her Christmas album, ReJoyce: The Christmas Album.
  • Art Paul Schlosser released a version of the song titled "Kazoo Boy" on his album, The ABCs of Art Paul Schlosser World. Schlosser's version uses a kazoo instead of a drum on the "rum pum pum pum" parts.
  • The McDades released a version of the song with Terry McDade on their album "Noel" featuring an intro with an Indian Ghazal improvisation
  • Decomposure covered the song, which was released on the Unschooled Records Christmas compilation album, A Very Unschooled Christmas. It was also re-released on Decomposure's own compilation album, Songs from Old Headphones.
2005
  • Boyz II Men released their rendition of the song on their second Christmas album, Winter/Reflections.[14]
  • Bryan Duncan and the NehoSoul Band recorded the song on their Christmas album, A NehoSoul Christmas.
  • Dwight Schrute briefly performed the song in the pilot episode of The Office. In 2006, Angela performs the song as karaoke in Episode 39.
  • MercyMe recorded the song for their Christmas album, "The Christmas Sessions".
2006
2007
  • Josh Groban released a version of the song (featuring guitarist Andy McKee and Gigi Hadid on background vocal) on his holiday album, "Noël".
  • Jan Rot performed a Dutch version of the song on An + Jan's Christmas album, Vrolijk Kerstfeest.
2008
2009

2010–present

2010
2011
2012
  • Richard Marx recorded the song and filmed a promotional music video for his holiday album, Christmas Spirit. The song returned him to the Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart's Top 10 for the first time since 1997(fifteen years).
  • Christopher Lee released the single "A Heavy Metal Christmas," which included a cover of the song.
  • Phish performed covers and teases of the song during their New Years Run at Madison Square Garden.
  • Neal Morse and the "Prog World Orchestra" recorded the song featuring Mike Portnoy on drums for the album "A Proggy Christmas"
  • Lincoln Brewster released his version on "Joy To The World," with a rendition with Christian rapper, KJ-52.
2013
  • Bad Religion recorded the song for their holiday album, Christmas Songs.
  • Walk off the Earth recorded the song for the iTunes session series album, live off the floor.
  • On November 25, Pentatonix released a video on YouTube[19] in which they covered the song to the background of Los Angeles. Released as a digital single, this version both debuted and peaked at No. 13 on the weekly Billboard Hot 100 chart for the week ending December 21, 2013.
  • On December 15 Bellevue Presbyterian Church of Bellevue, Washington performed an arrangement of the song called "Drummer Boy", released on vimeo,[20] featuring over 100 children from four youth choirs.
  • The Christian rock duo For King & Country recorded the song for their Christmas EP, Into the Silent Night.
  • The Ten Minute Podcast starring Will Sasso, Bryan Callen and Chris D'Elia in the episode "Serious Christmas Singing For Real".
  • In 2013 Jonathan Butler recorded it on Merry Christmas to You[21]
  • Reggie and the Full Effect released a version under their alter ego Common Denominator for the "X-Mas Mini EP" called "Little Black Metal Drummer Boy" on December 20, 2013.[22]
2014
  • Earth, Wind & Fire released their version on the album Holiday on October 21, 2014.
  • Jetty Rae released her version of the song for her holiday album More Than December on November 26, 2014.
2015
  • D'Nihil released an electronic dubstep version of the song on their soundcloud[23] for the album D'Arnett's Christmas.

Covers in other languages

  • In Spanish speaking countries it is a common carol recorded under the name "El niño del tambor" (The boy of the drum) or "El tamborilero". One of the better known cover versions of the song is sung by Spanish singer Raphael.
  • In French speaking countries since Nana Mouskouri 1965 version it is a common song recorded under the name "L'enfant au tambour" (The boy with a drum).
  • A Punjabi version was recorded under the name "Drummer Boy - Kich Ke" in 2014 by Canadian YouTube sensation Jus Reign for his "Geeta Brothers Presents - Punjabi Christmas Album".

References

  1. ^ Boughton, Harrison Charles (1977). "Katherine K. Davis: life and work". Ann Arbor, Michigan: Thesis, University of Missouri, reprint by University Microfilms. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  2. ^ a b c d Leigh, Spencer (5 March 2005). "Harry Simeone: Populariser of 'The Little Drummer Boy'". The Independent. Retrieved 18 December 2008.
  3. ^ Lee Hartsfeld (5 December 2006). "Music You (Possibly) Won't Hear Anyplace Else: Carol of the Little Drummer Boy". Musicyouwont.blogspot.com. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  4. ^ "Image of original manuscript in Wellesley College Library". Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  5. ^ Cummings, Robert. "Allmusic biography". Allmusic.com. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  6. ^ "Scan of published sheet music". Photos1.blogger.com. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  7. ^ "The Little Drummer Boy by The Harry Simeone Chorale Songfacts". Songfacts.com. 11 September 1977. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  8. ^ "The Little Drummer Boy: Adolphe Adam, Katherine K. Davis, Christmas Traditional, Harry Simeone Chorale: Music". Amazon.com. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  9. ^ The Temptations Christmas Card
  10. ^ Crosby, Bing; Bowie, David (7 December 2010). "Bing Crosby & David Bowie - The Little Drummer Boy / Peace On Earth". YouTube. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  11. ^ Farhi, Paul (20 December 2006). "Bing and Bowie: An Odd Story of Holiday Harmony". The Washington Post. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  12. ^ "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town/Little Drummer Boy | Björn Again Album | Yahoo! Music". New.music.yahoo.com. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  13. ^ TV.com. "Animaniacs: Little Drummer Warners - Season 1, Episode 246". TV.com. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  14. ^ "Muziek | Myspace Music". Imeem.com. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  15. ^ The Almost "Little Drummer Boy". YouTube. 16 December 2009.
  16. ^ "Bandaged: The Album"
  17. ^ Peter Vidani. "Comedy Death-Ray Xmas". Cdrxmas.tumblr.com. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  18. ^ "Duwende - Little Drummer Boy (A Cappella)". YouTube. 28 November 2011. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  19. ^ [Official Video] Little Drummer Boy - Pentatonix. YouTube. 25 November 2013.
  20. ^ Drummer Boy - arr. Davis, Onorati, Maudlin, Harris, and Dean. Vimeo.
  21. ^ http://newalbumreleases.net/60682/jonathan-butler-merry-christmas-to-you-2013/ Retrieved 3 January 2014
  22. ^ http://www.altpress.com/features/entry/song_premiere_reggie_and_the_full_effect_little_black_metal_drummer_boy_by
  23. ^ https://soundcloud.com/dnihil/the-little-drummer-boy

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