78 RPM: Bing Crosby - White Christmas (original 1942 version)

White Christmas
written by Irving Berlin
performed by Bing Crosby with the Ken Darby Singers and John Scott Trotter & His Orchestra
recorded 29 March 1942
released 30 July 1942 as Decca 18429, part of the "Holiday Inn" soundtrack (Decca A-306)

Now, here is the perennial classic, loved by so many that is was listed as the world's best-selling single in the first-ever Guinness Book of Records and has remained their ever since. Strange, that mega hit, in its original form, had not been heard in years! Here is why. . .

The familiar version of "White Christmas" most often heard today is not the one Crosby recorded in 1942. He was called to Decca studios on 18 March 1947, to re-record the track; the 1942 master had become damaged due to its frequent use. Efforts were made to exactly reproduce the original recording session, and Crosby was again backed by the Trotter Orchestra and the Darby Singers. Even so, there are subtle differences in the orchestration, most notably the addition of a celesta and flutes to brighten up the introduction. The next time the original version of "White Christmas" was heard from would be, in October 1998, with the released of "The Voice of Christmas: The Complete Decca Christmas Songbook."

In 2002, this original 1942 version was one of 50 historically significant recordings chosen that year by the Library of Congress to be added to the National Recording Registry.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• yt:stretch=16:9
• 78 RPM
• vinyl

[MichaelHansenFUN]

is this the version that sold a million copies?

[790WAKY]

@MichaelHansenFUN This is the original recorded version that sold millions (it topped the charts during the Christmas seasons of 1942, '44, and '45). So much so that the original master became damaged to the point that it could no long be used. So, in March 1947 re-recorded this along with 7 other tunes, creating the nucleus of what became the iconic "Merry Christmas" album. That in turn sold yet many many more millions. . .

[sydneylam19]

What an impeccable blend of mesmerising singing and orchestral accompaniment! This masterpiece genuinely reflects how people during wartime craved for a Christmas of placidity. Thanks for playing the record with your precious gramophone. By the way, are there any introductory verses in the original Bing Crosby version? It seems that some versions have included introductory verses.

[xbarbiefacex]

this is such a soothing song, his voice is one of a kind..

[JoggingOnTheMoon]

this is nice and more mellow than the '47 version

[gerryu21220]

I too have this version, but alas mine is now cracked and virtually worn out. Thanks for posting! You're the ONLY one who posted a proper transfer of it.

[EmmetEarwax]

THIS is the recording I had -before it broke on me without any reason. These non-Columbia shellac records have a tendency to just - snap ! How do you think I felt when it did that, and all I did was to pick it up ! Same thing happened to "Autumn Leaves" !

I was recently able to find and buy a CD of Bing Crosby's songs -he is some singer! - and it has a scratch-filtered rendition. A wound had finally been healed !

[hermankatnip]

I actually prefer this version. its more meloncholy and doesnt have the flutes in the intro. It seems like a more fresh and vivid performance of the classic

[SwingMan1937]

LOL!

Just posting my 1945 version when I came across this in my subscription list.

Right on. :)