I know what I was doing on November 30, 1977. I was watching Merrie Olde Christmas special as a kid. I didn’t appreciate the weirdness of the combination of Bing Crosby and David Bowie at the time. Something that the seventies did well and sometimes bad…was to intersect generations on variety shows. This one was a good combination.
This special had guest stars Twiggy, David Bowie, Ron Moody, Stanley Baxter, and The Trinity Boys Choir. It was the duet with Bing Crosby and David Bowie that has been remembered. I remember watching this knowing that Bing Crosby had died the month earlier. The duet was taped on September 11, 1977, and Crosby died on October 14, 1977.
David Bowie’s mother was a huge Bing Crosby fan and Bing Crosby’s children were big David Bowie fans…so the two agreed to sing together. It was questionable at first if it would work out.
Mary Crosby: “The doors opened and David walked in with his wife,” she recalled. “They were both wearing full-length mink coats, they have matching full makeup and their hair was bright red. We were thinking, ‘Oh my god.'” Nathaniel Crosby, Bing’s son, added: “It almost didn’t happen. I think the producers told him to take the lipstick off and take the earring out. It was just incredible to see the contrast.”
Another possible hitch happened with Bowie. He didn’t like The Little Drummer Boy and refused to sing it. The writers then wrote a revised version of the song that he liked. They wrote a counterpart section for Bowie to sing. Crosby liked the challenge of his part. The rest is history and one of the most unusual pairings you will ever see…
One funny part is Bowie’s idea of “older fellas” at the time is John Lennon and Harry Nilsson.
The Little Drummer Boy (Peace On Earth)
Come they told me pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
A newborn king to see pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
Rum-pum-pum-pum, rum-pum-pum-pum
[Verse 2: Bowie and Crosby]
Peace on Earth can it be?
Come they told me pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
Years from now, perhaps we’ll see?
A newborn king to see pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
See the day of glory
Our finest gift we bring pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
See the day, when men of good will
To lay before the king pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
Live in peace, live in peace again
Rum-pum-pum-pum, Rum-pum-pum-pum
Peace on Earth
So to honour him pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
Can it be
When we come
[Bridge: Bowie and Crosby in unison]
Every child must be made aware
Every child must be made to care
Care enough for his fellow man
To give all the love that he can
[Verse 4: Bowie and Crosby]
I pray my wish will come true
Little baby pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
For my child and your child too
I stood beside him there pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
He’ll see the day of glory
I played my drum for him pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
See the day when men of good will
I played my best for him pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
Live in peace, live in peace again
Rum-pum-pum-pum, rum-pum-pum-pum
Peace on Earth
Me and my drum
Can it be
Can it be
Thanks for sharing a true Christmas classic. Merry Christmas to you and your family
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The same to you Roger and thanks again!
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One of the truly weird moments in television history. I would have loved to see Ziggy Stardust come through that door…
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An unlikely and unusual pairing.
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A great, and as you say, unusual pairing of characters and songs. It works well though and stands the test of time. My sweetie says she remembers seeing it live on TV- I might havewatched it but don’t remember. November 30th,well, I’m allergic to eggs so I wasn’t eating a birthday cake at that time …
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The reason I was watching was because of Bing Crosby. He had just died the month before and I did know of him…not much about him but some. Also it was a Christmas program so naturally I would watch.
That is not good…no cake for you..I guess now you could have an ice cream one? Well happy belated birthday!
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Lol, thanks. It seems like the type of show we would’ve watched as a family back then, but I don’t remember it.
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It’s a very good version of a classic Christmas song, but my favorite version is a newer version, from For King and Country. If you haven’t heard it, DO! It’s phenomenal.
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I will check it out! Thank You
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Just read the story behind this song prior to your post. Good stuff!!
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Like you say, a crazy match up but I think it works!
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I remember seeing this when it aired on TV. It seemed strange at the time, but as I look on it now, it’s a wonderful piece of history. The song has always been a Christmas favorite of mine.
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The 70s gave people odd pairings on those variety shows and specials…I love it.
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