Bing Crosby & David Bowie - Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy 1977

[savammy]

next to elvis presleys if everyday could be like christmas this is my favorite christmas song.wish i could find it on a cd

[francecroatia777]

David Bowie man he's so good and Lady Gaga and Rhianna etc. stand on hisgreat big shoulders

[HolidayFavorites]

@crow407 Cool Thanks! :-)

[JustHereForComedy]

Bowie stole the show. Like, completely.

[meowfit]

Love this unique combo:):):)

[rockyrmt]

Bing's voice was smooth and mellow right to his last performance. he never lost it.

[Cool2BCeltic]

@rockyrmt I can't say I like his voice. It wasn't for nothing that he was called "The Old Groaner". Be honest, was he in the same class as Pat Boone or Mario Lanza? These guys were real singers.

[copidichi]

fantastic song

[follywoodland1]

Bing was a very difficult person to live with. He made a living hell for his two sons, treating them like trained pets and being very regimented. One son wrote a scathing book about the ordeal. Eventually both sons committed suicide. A very sad end to such an amazing talent that "Der Bingle" offered the world.

[Randall1160]

@follywoodland1 I'm Pretty sure he had 6 sons, four with his first wife, 2 with the other and one daughter.

[Cool2BCeltic]

@Randall1160 I believe he was easier on his second family. He tried to raise a family of all-American he-men with his first wife and the stress got to be too much for them. Two developed drink problems and one son, Gary, wrote a book about it which was nicknamed "Daddy Dearest" when it was first published.

[follywoodland1]

This moment in music history was; Bing, a crooner for 50 years, passing the baton to the new music generation. Bowie was a big fan of Bing btw. Bing died shortly after and never saw the show on TV.

[BenandKevinshow]

It's weird to think that when Bowie is talking about his "6 year old son" he's talking about the future director of the films Moon and Source Code!

[solutreanidea]

Merry Christmas from Texas!

[rogertom1000]

This and the temptation,s Silent Night are imo two of the very best xmas songs.

[2bAlight]

This is beautiful - love this song!



[tinkerbellsistah]

Are you sure this was 1977? Bing Crosby died in October of '77.

[nap1793]

@tinkerbellsistah I just saw a special on this and yeah, crosby apparently died before this was even released on record.

[Cool2BCeltic]

@tinkerbellsistah This was filmed just before he died. Shame. He could have done more with David Bowie and produced an album that both grannies and teenagers would buy. They work together here.

[mcshellyshell77]

love this song!

[maekar]

man this is the perfect duet regardless of the fact that its a christmas song

[MaddieLorraine1]

I remember seeing this air, too (I was 15). Bowie's Ziggy Stardust days were already behind him, but he still had the Glam Rock reputation. I remember my friends and I (and the media) speculating on just how the show was going to work with Bing and Bowie. Like CaptHarpoon said, most of us thought it would be a disaster. Bowie surprised everyone again! This is one of my favorite Christmas songs now.

[CaptHarpoon]

I also saw this when it first aired. I was 18 and was (and still am) a huge Bowie fan. I remember thinking how "odd" it was that these two VERY different singers teamed up. I didn't think their styles could possibly work. Bing was the Classic Old Guard and Bowie was Glam Rock. I thought it would be a disaster. I'm glad to say iwas wrong. This duo doing this song, is now a Christmas Classic.

[zappasgal2005]

I'm grateful this Christmas for many things-but also for knowing what counterpoint is!!! What a duo!!!!

[SeaBassVamp]

Peace. Merry Christmas.

Best to Bing & Bowie.

[marielle27p]

i`m listening to this wonderful carol and i`m watchin haw it snows outside ...JUST PERFECT

[whitepanther84]

@marielle27p lucky you with the snow. Where are you? Merry Xmas!

[shaun3701]

Bing is wondering who the homely looking woman next to him is...

[Chgo00]

@shaun3701 i pity you shaun3701...now go listen to your top forty pop or country.

[Ebonyivorymusic]

Bing Crosby & David did this song so beautifully together. X mas folks.

[MrPhantax]

Alfreð Finnbogason brought me here! :)

[gayleafcb]

I don't care what anyone else says but when it comes to Christmas songs, the old un's are definitely the best! I didn't like either of these music however this song and the combination of their amazing voices couldn't be more perfect & showed such a unique talent. It's finally Christmas when I have this, Johny Mathis, Boney M and a bit of Cliff on 24/7!! 34 years & how sad we are still waiting for that peace on earth :( Peace & love to you wherever you are.

[figbat1]

in australia ross hornes' books have been removed from the libraries and the bookshops.

[whoopeecat]

So beautiful, I've looked forwarding to watching this at Christmas for over 30 years now. It shocked me when I read that Bing died just a month after this was filmed; this was a true "passing of the torch", I guess.... Merry Christmas!!

[Bradley62100]

What A Pair OUTSTANDING

[MightBiteYa]

"Sure glad you came by." Such a casual statement to someone like David Bowie is the mark of a true musical badass.

[PLEROMAZERO]

Merry Xmas!

[flyingramennoodles]

Two music legends. They voices are amazing!

[Lonewolf7771]

Every time I see this - I see my dad, Bing was his double! Dad passed in 87, so this has lovely memories. Bowie's voice is simply stunning.

[kjsh987]

such a wonder.both singing together

[Ebonyivorymusic]

Two great singers and very cool together.

[Ollie7707]

<3 Bowie

[liltwin2]

Lots of memories...traditions celebrated through this song

[klstehn]

this is one of my favorites

[KevinMBdeOwosso]

altho I no longer believe the jesus angle, this is one of my all time favorite SONGS... and the "Peace" angle is something we should all WORK for, for the children..... god or no god

[RitaLynn1]

@eagle0468 your mind is a terrible thing to waste! You need to write a book lololol geeez

[greenchris12]

3 ppl think this song is too short.

[theladykt]

Lovely

[eagle0468]

According to co-writer Ian Fraser, Bowie balked at singing "Little Drummer Boy." "I hate this song. Is there something else I could sing?" Fraser recalls Bowie telling him. Fraser, along with songwriter Larry Grossman and the special's scriptwriter, Buz Kohan, then wrote "Peace on Earth" as a counterpoint to "Little Drummer Boy." Crosby performed "Little Drummer Boy," while Bowie sang the new tune "Peace on Earth," which they reportedly performed after less than an hour of rehearsal

[ZEITGEISTism]

@eagle0468 Good for Bowie & his son for loving the song "Peace on earth" question is, why did Bowie so hate the song "little drummer boy "? both songs are good.Hmm maybe Bowie connected the song "little drummer boy" with a childhood trauma? Its common knowledge he was raped as a child & he's never denied he's bisexual Shit maybe the bastard who raped him did it on christmas day & the song "little drummer boy "was playing in the backround at the time ! Truth is stranger than fiction

[sexiinesh84]

@ZEITGEISTism DUDE WTF ARE U TLKIN BOUT BRUH THIS SONG IS ABOUT PEACE N ENJOYN GOD N HIS GLORY CELEBRATE CHRIST...DAM IT WULD TAKE A FUCKIN FOOL TO FUCK UP SUMTHING THAT EVERYBODY LOVES IT WULD TAKE A HATER TO HAV TA SAY NEGATIVE SHIT DUMB HOE KILL YA SELF...MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY ELSE.

[iseezapie]

@sexiinesh84 Yes, telling someone to kill themself because they disagree with you is definitely embracing the message of peace and unity, good going

[furQ]

@eagle0468 huh, interesting. maybe that explains why they both look so very uncomfortable

[Celluloidkid]

Sad that Crosby died on October 14, just over a month after recording "Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy".

[Celluloidkid]

I had some people tell me Ohhhh Bing Crosby & David Bowie never sang a Christmas together......and I made this up!! Screw them!

[Deeclearwaterfl]

This is my favorite Christmas song - who ever knew David Bowie sounded so good, a bit different from Labrynth!

[furQ]

@Deeclearwaterfl not sure if troll..

[fezik82]

@Deeclearwaterfl

That was my thought! I've heard this song hundreds of times and never realized that it was David Bowie... I guess that I do like one of his songs =)

[petermurphreak]

TWO ICONS SINGING SUCH AN AMAZING SONG=PURE ABSOLUTE MAGIC!!!....

[troyfan1989]

Fantastic.

[ndfalcon]

An unusual pairing that created a magical and timeless Christmas classic.

[MrTamiya89]

this will always be the best version of this song

[Theito123]

I was one month old when this came out. It's one of my fav's :)

[billdogcamp]

I LOVE this video. It is a fantastic medley! I love Bing and David, so put them both together, and you get a fantastic mix!

[AndyElche2]

Simply the best rendition of any Christmas song in history..theres something just quite special seeing this every year...never fading from it's brilliance.

[hobiewan53]

I remember sitting down to watch this in 1977, thinking at the time that a Christmas special with "old fogey" Bing Crosby and David Bowie was going to be pretty lame. I was blown away, and transfixed at the same time when they sang this. One of my all time favorites for Christmas!!!

[superunt43]

@hobiewan53 I was 19 at the time and was astounded, perfectly man enough to admit I shed tear then and still do to this day. Then again, I remain old enough to have been blessed to witness talent, emphasis on "talent"......

[lcleary63]

Beautiful twist on an old time classic........All I can say is simply AMAZING!!!

[MkWaidmannsfeld]

every year the best christmas song of all time......and thats the truth

[kyabeans]

My favorite Christmas song. Great lyrics.

[jsphjohnson]

For Ms. Rossi.

[dabigfella6ft7]

magical christmas songs sung from the heart with meaning and joy released for the joy off christmas and not to just make money , rather than modern christmas songs sung for the filling of a wallet .

[Aspergianstar20O9]

Classic. Bing died a month after this recording.

[eminem16117]

out of all the versions i have heard of this song i would have to say this is by far my favorite

[overthehillfan]

One of the best song duets ever....if only we would listen with our hearts to the words and live them...♥

[BusinessConnector57]

Very inspirational, moving, amazing! It lifted me up and came to me right when I needed it the most!

[CandyBurlesque]

hey, this song is soo amazing....and david bowie is too....i'm 17 and i know nobody at my age, who could listen to this..... thats sad.... merry christmas to you all!!

[StrayDogHowlin]

@CandyBurlesque I'm 19 and I haven't stopped listening to it every year since I was a kid. *festive brofist*

[joniyogamassage]

@CandyBurlesque Funny, I was 17 when this was recorded!

[CGBA2014]

@CandyBurlesque i know what you mean i'm 15 and none of my friends know who these people are!!!

[BBQFanNo1]

You just had a feeling by the end of 1977 it was all over for music. August 16th and October 14th 1977. The Days The Music Really Died. Not February 1959.

[WilltheDILF]

"I pray my bitch, will come true."

- 1:50

[musicartism]

Pure class those pair!!!

[army1212ify]

I SAW THIS CHRISTMAS SHOW !!! I WAS 17

[Kainlarsen]

I love this so very much.:)

Merry Christmas, fellow anons.

[MrRyanRhymes]

This is so cheesy, but what a great duet by two great singers

[BBQFanNo1]

@MrRyanRhymes Typical Limey comment I expect.

[MrRyanRhymes]

@BBQFanNo1 typical idiot response, no doubt... Merry Christmas

[afrosheen4040]

ABSOLUTELY ONE OF THE GREATEST IF NOT THE GREATEST CHRISTMAS SONG

"For my child and your child too..."

My heart love this song

[graemezo]

omg gossse bumpssss all overrr soo a good songgg likesss "L

[jgruen1066]

Thank you for posting this beautiful song. I saw it the first time it aired on TV in 1977... What beautiful voices they both have.

[MsJED321]

@tony26531

Your opinion is just that. You apparently cannot even express that opinion without the aid of vulgar, course language. Shock value does not increase your credibilit; rather it simply shows you to be an ignorant, boorish, poor sad specimin of genetically inferior humanity. Clean up your act and perhaps those of us with decent common courtesy would be more apt to entertain the validity of your comments. Just sayin'...

[catcherintherye033]

*28 DAYS LEFT*

[OkayWhoBroughtTheDog]

Lol it seems that Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett Thanksgiving performance was ripping this off nicely.

[1000BADGE]

It is the best Christmas song duet ever!!!

[jwillis5039]

This was recorded on Sept 11,1977, Bing Crosby died of a heart attack on Oct 14, 1977. If Bing does look so happy in this video please give him a break, he wasn't feeling his best. I was 18 at the time and remember watching it back then.

[LuciKolb]

a favorite for any time of year, best lyrics of any hymn or song. Beautiful melody with a graceful lesson. Always a pleasure to hear this

[YoiuTubeHE1Reviews]

I like this song.

[schnurrecat]

two glorious voices that show the meaning of christmas. may god bless you all

[catcherintherye033]

*41 DAYS LEFT*

[meanbluegreengirl101]

All Of The Above..... 

[HearYeRocknRoll]

I can't believe how good this is! Many thanks to the person who had the imagination to put these two together.

[myibmaccount]

This is one of the few Bowie songs that show how truly beautiful his voice was.

[ILikeABandCalldOasis]

@myibmaccount *Is.



[catcherintherye033]

*49 DAYS LEFT*

[Kooxter]

So nostalgic.

[HolidayFavorites]

@Kooxter The simpler days and wonderful memories :-)

[Kooxter]

@HolidayFavorites You said it :) I miss being little *o*

[jeepsterrr]

Bowie sang on the Marc Bolan TV show just before Bolan died then sang with Bing just before Bing died. He was like the grim reaper of 1977, Sad.

[Soton1912]

Thank god they produced it. I don't care about the problems they had, as long as they finally made it. A fantastic christmas song, which always be in my heart. Some songs will never leave your life.

[HolidayFavorites]

@Soton1912 So true So true! I cherish the Christmas songs of old more than I do newer ones produced these days..

[warren1c]

Classicly awesome! Thanks for the video!

[bloffproductions]

This makes me soooooooo happy.

[emily7103]

They could not have paired two more different musicians to do a duet and even so they sound PHENOMENAL together!!!

[singlechuck]

Great memories of my childhold.

[HolidayFavorites]

@singlechuck Gosh mine too! I remember sitting around the radio or record player listening to Christmas music in the 70's and enjoying it so much. Little did I know that I would STILL be listening to them nowadays and enjoying them just the same :-) Ahh the CLASSICS!

[dlfunky1]

Only bowie could get away with this- very subversive keeping his fans and critics on their toes just when they think they "get" him he did this!

I do love this duet though its lovely- so festive!

[MrGaryo64]

G.T.O, THE SONG TAKES ME BACK TO A TIME OF TOTAL JOY, GIVES ME THE FEELING OF X/MAS ALL THE TIME. TWO GREATS FROM TWO GENERATIONS.

[20000pinkflamingos]

Both of the songs are beautiful - the Little Drummer Boy being one of, if not my favorite Christmas songs. As a musician myself - such a powerful song. Then having the two of the singing that with "Peace on Earth" together and the messages of those two songs with completely different artists doing a duet - I think that is just so symbolic. Love it!

[CSavageSr]

I don't care why they did it. I am just glad they did it.

[danlen86]

i like both of these singers.

[jwmellott]

Did this make VH-1's most shocking moments in Rock?

[Wellch]

Notice the Cross necklace around David Bowie's neck.

[iriegnome]

Probably one of the best versions of this tune EVER

[OnlySeanJohn]

are you high? lol

[kutzbill]

What I heard is that Bing didn't care for the finished song because it didn't show off his voice enough. That's an old story, it could be wrong.

[jwmellott]

@kutzbill When they sing together, It seems like Bing's voice is the only one noticible.

[kutzbill]

@jwmellott Interesting opinion. Funny how, in my opinion, that the older singers could sing harmony so well.

[themonaghans]

@kutzbill I've read just about everything ever written about Bing Crosby, including tons of interviews and I NEVER heard that. That would be incredibly out of character. The man was known for being unequaled in his generosity with duet and film partners. He would never even take star billing, always co-star. He was shy and modest.

[steelerssupporter09]

how does bowie sing this to his son if its a duet?

ziggy...we knew you were still there somewhere.

[RecordWarped]

Will the one person who voted thumbs-down on this please come forward and identify yourself?

[blahthrower]

The rift between Bing and Bowie has been greatly exaggerated. It HAS to have been. Peas-in-a-pod.

[manolosolo53]

If Crosby hates Bowie , he must be an angry person, and he is show a differnt face on TV. So he is false, same on him.

He is not what we think he is.

It's a Christmas song , who he think he are the real Mackoy ?

[somewhatlongdong]

@manolosolo53 Bing Crosby was a very strange guy.

[rafterfreak3]

I love this song. ^w^ Its my favorite Christmas song, and the version. And I LOVE LOVE LOVE! David Bowie. <3 I was introduced to him when I watched 'The Labyrinth' and now I'm addicted to his music. ^w^

[kpmonkeygirl]

EEEK! I LOVE BING CROSBY!!!! WHY DID I HAVE TO BE 18? I WISH I WAS BORN 50 YEARS AGO! THEN I MIGHT OF BEEN ABLE TO MEET HIM!!!! REST IN PEACE MR. CROSBY!

[SALVATl0N]

It's such an odd pairing, it always looks like crappy CG to me.

[blahthrower]

Tough to improve on that ...

[VoodooUprising]

Love this song by both excellent singers

[mydogchance195]

Peace

[diochris31]

BRAVOOOO . FANTASTICO

[jhunter1163]

"It's a pretty thing, innit?"

Sure is, Bing. Thanks.

[BeauJames59]

Bowie plays the piano and it sounds like a symphony!

[brittlebrit187]

I hear they didn't really like each other when they met to do this.

[HolidayFavorites]

@brittlebrit187 Here is what Wikipedia said about them meeting for this show.

(Bowie's appearance has been described as a "surreal" event, undertaken at a time that he was "actively trying to normalise his career". He has since recalled that he only appeared on the show because "I just knew my mother liked him." Buz Kohan was not sure that Crosby knew who Bowie was, but Ian Fraser claimed "I'm pretty sure he did. Bing was no idiot. If he didn't, his kids sure did.")

[HolidayFavorites]

@brittlebrit187 (Bowie balked at singing "Little Drummer Boy". "I hate this song. Is there something else I could sing?" Fraser recalls Bowie telling him. Fraser, along with songwriter Larry Grossman and the special's scriptwriter, Buz Kohan, then wrote "Peace on Earth" as a counterpoint to "Little Drummer Boy". Crosby performed "Little Drummer Boy", while Bowie sang the new tune "Peace on Earth," which they reportedly performed after less than an hour of rehearsal)

[fuzzbeak13]

@brittlebrit187 In one of the biographies, Bowie commented that Bing wasn't even really there. He just had the words in front of him and barely seemed to notice Bowie at all. Bowie described it as a bizarre experience, but there wasn't any animosity. Granted, he was already a little freaked out at appearing on tv with anyone because Marc Bolan had died a week after Bowie appeared on his show. Ironically enough, Bing Crosby died a little more than a month after they recorded this.

[snoops71]

@fuzzbeak13 Bing looked pretty ill, which would explain why he wasn't really there, in Bowie's words.

[chris185821]

@brittlebrit187 not true , bowie was so nervous that he did not think he could sing in the right key , bing told him to just sing and he would jump right in , it was brilliant

[Cheerio753]

Great Video Chris! I really like this version too! Bing Crosby did alright for himself, I just read that "White Christmas" is the best selling song ever! It has made 50 million dollars! But I thought he died in 1977, maybe i'm wrong.... anyways, great video! 

[HolidayFavorites]

@Cheerio753 Your right Ryan, I just updated the year. I misread the info and Bowie's Album with this song was released in 82.. Gosh, Bing died just over a month after recording this special..

[Cheerio753]

@HolidayFavorites Thats so sad. :(It's still a great memory.

[HolidayFavorites]

@Cheerio753 Yes it is very much so!

[dolphinwing55]

@Cheerio753 yeah he died a month or two after this special aired