Otis Redding

Merry Christmas, Baby

Good Morning!

Today we’re listening to “Merry Christmas, Baby” by Otis Redding

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Today we’re spinning one of my all-time favorite Christmas songs. It never seems to get enough airplay during the holidays, and I’m not even sure I’ve heard it on the radio (or in a store) this year.

Many artists have tried to play this song (seriously, I think it’s something like 80), but this one is the clear frontrunner. Bruce Springsteen’s take is a close second.

Wherever this morning finds you, and however you choose to celebrate, I hope it’s a time of wonder and one filled with joy.

And good music, of course.

Enjoy the day! Gizmo and I will be back on Monday (12/30) with more great sounds to share with everyone.

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More:

“Merry Christmas, Baby” rose to No. 3 on Billboard’s Jukebox R&B chart, and quickly became an American Christmas standard. More than 80 artists have covered it, from Elvis to Springsteen, Otis Redding to Billy Idol, Christina Aguilera to CeeLo Green. Jeff Beck and Frankie Valli joined forces for a version released just last fall.

Yet this particular holiday gift has always been wrapped in doubt. It was, and remains, credited to Lou Baxter and Johnny Moore. But it was the performance of Charles Brown, the Three Blazers’ pianist and vocalist, that defined the song—and he insisted that he wrote it, too. In the postwar music industry, such intellectual-property disputes were as common as mediocre B sides, but I’ve uncovered evidence that Brown’s claim was legitimate.

You can read more about the song’s controversial origin story here.

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Listen:

“Merry Christmas, Baby” by Otis Redding | The Otis Redding Story, 1987

Click the record to listen on your platform of choice.

As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this track! Do you have a favorite version?

Thanks for being here,

Kevin—