One of the most enduring - and annoying - Christmas carols is a relatively new one, The Little Drummer Boy, written by American composer Kathrine Kennicott Davis in 1941. When the Trapp family recorded it in 1951, it was an instant hit. The lyrics are cloying (“I played my best for him” and “He smiled at me”). I’ve been around a newborn or two and they don’t react well to drum solos, with the exception of anything by Keith Moon of The Who. For a time, some thought Davis copied it from a Czech Christmas song, but musicologists discount this. She insisted she had an ear worm, a French number called Patapan, when she was trying to nap. Ms D heard ‘pa-rum-pum-pum,’ and it took on a rhythm, but it’s more likely she was into the Devil’s Lettuce. Since 1941, the tune’s had a remarkable career.
Everybody in music has covered The Little Drummer Boy including, but not limited to Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, which went to number 13 in the UK charts at Christmas, 1972.
Everybody you say? Just about - Joan Jett, Bob Seger, Justin Bieber (with Busta Rhymes), The Dandy Warhols, Ringo Starr, the cast of Glee and Sir Terry Wogan.
Without question, the most cringe-worthy version is the 1977 duet by Bing Crosby and David Bowie. I warn you, viewing this on Youtube will skeeve you out and likely ruin your life and the lives of those around you.
When I was young, I was a drummer and I always thought people liked my musical stylings. Like the kid in the song, I was misguided.
Merry Christmas - and, seriously, don’t view the video of Bing and Bowie. Just don’t.
Merry Christmas from Milford PA!
Look at you with that fantastic hair! What a Christmas treat this pic is! Little Drummer Boy followed by It's a Small World Afterall--kill me now.