12. "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)," David Seville and the Chipmunks
Liberty 55168 b/w "Almost Good"Highest chart position: #1, four weeks (1958)
Recorded July 1964, New York, NY
Supposedly, songwriter David Saville (who'd already scored a hit writing Rosemary Clooney's "Come On-A My House" with playwright William Saroyan) was inspired to write this charming/annoying novelty after his son, Adam, kept asking him when Christmas would get here. It's likely that Seville, who'd already hit the charts on his own with "Witch Doctor," wanted to find a way to utilize his tape-speeding routine again the way he did on the follow-up, "The Bird On My Head." This time, he invented three characters to lead in song -- Alvin, Simon, and Theodore (named after his label's record executives). The rest is history.
Hear a clip of the song
Read the lyrics
Buy the CD
Get the sheet music
Watch the video of "The Christmas Song" on YouTube
