Welcome to Week 15 of The Definitive Version, a new weekly feature of my website. You can read more about the project here and read all past entries here.
Song: “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” (1944)
Composer: Hugh Martin & Ralph Blane
Lyricist: Hugh Martin & Ralph Blane
Form: AABA
Standard Key: Most lead sheets put it in C major. Judy Garland’s original recording was in G-flat major.
Written for the Judy Garland movie musical Meet Me In St. Louis, this song is a standout from the era, and captures some of the melancholy wish for normalcy that must have been so prevalent in the midst of World War II. Interestingly, there have been many versions of the lyrics, particularly the final couplet: in the movie, Garland sings “until then we’ll have to muddle through somehow” but at Frank Sinatra’s request, the composers came up with the jollier line (more apropos in 1950, perhaps) “hang a shining star upon the highest bough.” The song is fairly typical for the AABA songs written for Broadway and movies in that era, and certainly lends itself well to jazz interpretation. It is straightforward enough and beloved enough to be covered by many pop artists on their Christmas records.
Definitive Version: James Taylor (2002, from October Road)
Form: Verse | A | A | B | A | Piano vamp
Feel: In-tempo ballad (slow swing)
Key: A Major
Instrumentation: Rhythm section, horns, background singers vocal group
James Taylor, jazz singer? Well, yes – if you approach this without preconceptions of Taylor as the folk-pop icon of the 1970s and beyond, you will find that in terms of stating the song, with beautiful phrasing, classic orchestration, and a deep attention to the story in the lyrics, you’ll agree that James Taylor’s version stacks up as an absolute standard. Interestingly, Taylor uses the original “muddle through” lyrics, but alters other lyrics in subtle ways.
His version was originally recorded as a bonus track to his October Road record, and later included on the various versions of his Christmas album. It features a lovely string arrangement from Rob Mounsey and a rhythm section made of legends Jimmy Johnson (b), Steve Gadd (d), Larry Goldings (p), and John Pizzarelli (g).
Also Recommended:
- Judy Garland (1944, from Meet Me In St. Louis) – Judy Garland, of course, originated the song in this movie, and she was a master song stylist, particularly when expressing something with deep pathos like “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.”
- Frank Sinatra (1950, from A Jolly Christmas with Frank) An absolute classic, with Sinatra’s personal phrasing.
- Ella Fitzgerald (1960, from Ella Wishes You A Swinging Christmas) – Ella’s touch with lyrics is lovely and understated, and this whole album is an absolutely classic.
- Leslie Odom, Jr. (2017 from Simply Christmas) – Odom’s more modernist take is compelling and beautiful.
- Joe Williams (1990, from That Holiday Feelin’) – Joe is underrated as an interpreter of classic American song – and here’s a great example to prove that to you.