Christmas Rarities

[Rocker]

This post by HeyJude gave me an idea:

Also worth mention is that they still have a page up on Brian's website that collects all the stray Xmas tracks including some not found on the XMas album (e.g. "The Christmas Song"):

http://www.brianwilson.com/christmas/

So, over the years the Beach Boys, or the individual members, have released Christmas-themed songs. Not all of them masterpieces, but I guess it would be a nice fan-compilation. Therefor I thought we could compile a list of them, if possible with a link, so that everyone can create his/her Beach Boys Christmas-"rarities" playlist.
Only criterion: The songs must be officially released and not be part of an album by the band (but single versions would be ok if they differ from the album release). Radio broadcasts do count. I include the bonus songs of "What I really want for Christmas" because they were only bonus and not part of the album itself.
I don't know if I forgot some stuff. Feel free to add something. We could also include other things that are Christmas related like interviews etc. Do you know if there are such things?






The Beach Boys

Little Saint Nick (single version): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbgxDgVmMF0

Child of Winter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPPnP3yFdhE

The Lord's Prayer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pn6g8uAv0UU


Brian Wilson

The Christmas Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIYx5tBFizQ

White Christmas (with Styx)

Silent Night: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9VufByHxyA

Peace on Earth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cET-iLzxork

On Christmas Day: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUA1A2KL5LE  

Joy to the World: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gBsL7gcKCU


Mike Love

Jingle Bell Rock: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agUUp4VZaYM

Jingle Bell Rock (with Dean Torrence): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RryIroTqs-k

Santa's goin' to Kokomo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6BCb1rsoT0

Alone on Christmas Day: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEINo14z7OU

Finally, it's Christmas (Mike & Bruce with Hanson): https://youtu.be/1daigAU090w

Do you hear what I hear? (with Mary MacGregor): https://youtu.be/1Ly63iYq7BM?t=950

Have yourself a merry little Christmas: https://youtu.be/1Ly63iYq7BM?t=1870


Al Jardine

Hurry up, hurry up, Santa Claus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lp8rlb0hC_E

Sunshine to Snowflakes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0koOGcw9xRA

Big Sur Christmas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqlOQzLupjY

Christmas Day (live): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkl4yv4etNU


Bruce Johnston

Jingle Bells ("From the '94 CD Sounds Christmas Unity Volume 1" according to the uploader): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uyj1-A3HpPA





Bonus

Collin Raye (with the Beach Boys) - Winter Wonderland: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjOamhXJUNI

Brian Wilson and Family - Silent Night: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpDEMdhmPVs

Carnie & Wendy Wilson (feat. Carl Wilson) - Hey Santa!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXkqWr6EKJM

The Beach Boys and Family - I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3csflec-uo

The Beach Boys - O come all ye faithfull (Live 1967): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc_CVsNn3jM

The Beach Boys - Little Saint Nick (backing track, Stack-o-tracks): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUMahCaqzRk

The Beach Boys - We three kings of Orient are (Live 1964): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uutgPtZXM_s

The Beach Boys - Little Saint Nick (alt. version, "Drive-in" backing track)): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-XMlBgqy9A

The Beach Boys - Little Saint Nick (Shindig Christmas episode '64): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-vAZabkn3U

The Beach Boys - Monster Mash and Papa Oom Mow Mow (Shindig Christmas episode '64): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtVrMHMKak8

The Beach Boys - Johnny B. Goode (Shindig Christmas episode '64): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNY3lkW9IYE

The Beach Boys - Dance, dance, dance (Shindig Christmas episode '64): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1WF5HvwArI

Brian Wilson - "On Christmas Day" Sessions : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuptvX3xYlg

Mike Love & Bruce Johnston - Little Saint Nick (live on Hallmark Channel): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9uM1vsdrpU

Brian Wilson - Christmas Interview 1964: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVl3Qb9zSyI

Brian Wilson - Little Saint Nick (NYC Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Ceremony 2005): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ga76s_rMfFM

Brian Wilson - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (Live on Jay Leno): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnQCZ8KRooE

The Beach Boys - Little Saint Nick (Official Lyric Video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbgxDgVmMF0

The Beach Boys - Little Saint Nick (animated video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xp9rK8FmYog&feature=youtu.be

Brian Wilson, Al Jardine, Blondie Chaplin - O holy Night (2018): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfzWB37egeA&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR16XGGw7uir39rcK6YJPYdJhbV1M38biuNSTLJYoU88J8iFIZiopj8JDWU

Brian Wilson, Al Jardine, Blondie Chaplin - Run Rudolph Run (audience shot footage, 2018): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ceb3-jVbb8

Junkstar - Happy, happy holiday (written by Murry Wilson) - https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/georgefaulkner/george-faulkner-sings-murry-wilson-vol-2

[STE]

Mike Love

Have Yourself a Merry Little Xmas
Do You Hear What I Hear

[Rocker]

Mike Love

Have Yourself a Merry Little Xmas
Do You Hear What I Hear

Oh, did he record them? I vaguely remember him singing those on some TV special. Is that correct?


EDIT:

And I just remembered that the single version of "Little Saint Nick" differs from the album version. So that one could be added as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_3HLtW8mCw

[Emdeeh]

Al Jardine:
Big Sur Christmas

[HeyJude]

Mike Love

Have Yourself a Merry Little Xmas
Do You Hear What I Hear

Oh, did he record them? I vaguely remember him singing those on some TV special. Is that correct?

I *believe* all the Mike tracks were released on this:

[HeyJude]

And in the category of "attempted but abandoned archival releases", there's this from the 90s:

[Rocker]

Al Jardine:
Big Sur Christmas

I don't recall this. When was it recorded and what does it sound like? I can't find it online.... Thanks for the contribution!
EDIT: Just found it on youtube! Thanks Proxtube! Damnit! That voice deserves a much better production! But it's a nice song

And in the category of "attempted but abandoned archival releases", there's this from the 90s:

Whoa! I can understand that it was not released (I skip most of the '77 material when I play Ultimate Christmas) but here are some songs I didn't know where planned to be released. The medley is the Boys with their families, right? What about tracks 2,3 and 4 on side two? I don't think I've heard about those.
Just saw on Wikipedia that something of that was released on Carnie & Wendy's Christmas album:

The album also features a Wilson family recording from 1976 of "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" that features the Beach Boys on backing vocals and a wide range of Beach Boys band members' children, including Matthew and Adam Jardine, Hailey and Christian Love, and Jonah and Justyn Wilson.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hey_Santa!

Guess I have to go through my archives and see if I have some of the tracks.


BTW just realized that "Child of winter" wasn't on any album. So I'll add it to the above list
Also, the Scrooge's Rock'n'Roll Christmas TV special is on youtube, so I added the links to two of the three Mike-related parts (the other one is Jingle Bell Rock with Dean, but the Mike version is already on the list)

[B.E.]

... The medley is the Boys with their families, right? What about tracks 2,3 and 4 on side two? I don't think I've heard about those.
Just saw on Wikipedia that something of that was released on Carnie & Wendy's Christmas album:

The album also features a Wilson family recording from 1976 of "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" that features the Beach Boys on backing vocals and a wide range of Beach Boys band members' children, including Matthew and Adam Jardine, Hailey and Christian Love, and Jonah and Justyn Wilson.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hey_Santa! ...

BTW just realized that "Child of winter" wasn't on any album ...

1) Yes, the medley is w/their families.
2) Side 2, track 2 is a lyric from Go and Get That Girl (or so I've read). Side 2, track 3 is H.E.L.P. is on the Way with new lyrics. Side 2, track 4 is (I Saw Santa) Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree, which was released (along with Child of Winter) on Ultimate Christmas, Christmas w/the Beach Boys, and Christmas Harmonies.
3) Yes, I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus was released on Hey Santa!

If I'm mistaken, someone correct me.

[Rocker]

... The medley is the Boys with their families, right? What about tracks 2,3 and 4 on side two? I don't think I've heard about those.
Just saw on Wikipedia that something of that was released on Carnie & Wendy's Christmas album:

The album also features a Wilson family recording from 1976 of "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" that features the Beach Boys on backing vocals and a wide range of Beach Boys band members' children, including Matthew and Adam Jardine, Hailey and Christian Love, and Jonah and Justyn Wilson.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hey_Santa! ...

BTW just realized that "Child of winter" wasn't on any album ...

1) Yes, the medley is w/their families.
2) Side 2, track 2 is a lyric from Go and Get That Girl (or so I've read). Side 2, track 3 is H.E.L.P. is on the Way with new lyrics. Side 2, track 4 is (I Saw Santa) Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree, which was released (along with Child of Winter) on Ultimate Christmas, Christmas w/the Beach Boys, and Christmas Harmonies.
3) Yes, I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus was released on Hey Santa!

If I'm mistaken, someone correct me.

Ah, thanks! I thought "Rockin' around the tree" was maybe a BBs version of the Brenda Lee classic. Don't care for the ultimately released song (a finished "Hey there Momma" iirc).
I updated the list with some links etc. Nothing great but a nice compilation could certainly be made.

[picassosson]

I love the original "Alone On Christmas Day" and the "Christmas Medley" from the unreleased 1977 album so damn much. They're some of my favorite Beach Boys holiday tunes. Does anyone know the reason why they haven't have been officially released? I'm really surprised they didn't make "Ultimate Christmas", or the "Made In California" box set, especially when utterly lazy dreck like "Santa's Got An Airplane" got the green light.

[Gabo]

Can't forget Mike and Dean's Jingle Bell Rock!

I love the music video. Dean Torrence is really cute!

[HeyJude]

I love the original "Alone On Christmas Day" and the "Christmas Medley" from the unreleased 1977 album so damn much. They're some of my favorite Beach Boys holiday tunes. Does anyone know the reason why they haven't have been officially released? I'm really surprised they didn't make "Ultimate Christmas", or the "Made In California" box set, especially when utterly lazy dreck like "Santa's Got An Airplane" got the green light.

The "Ultimate Christmas" CD is jammed pretty close to full capacity from what I recall. If they were inclined to include all of those other tracks (the radio spots, the Brian '64 interview, etc.), then I'm not sure they could have fit the entire '77 XMas album.

However, I do believe they vetted the '77 material and vetoes were made. That's what I recall Brad Elliott alluding to back then. "Alone and Christmas Day" and "Go and Get that Girl" are better than at least a few of the tracks they *did* include, so I'm not sure who might have vetoed what, and why.

Mike's lead on "Alone on Christmas Day" is a bit shaky, so perhaps that's why that one was left off. Carl is doing his 1977 slightly drunk-ish sounding voice on "Go and Get that Girl." I'm curious if that might be why it was left off (even if it's the same voice you hear Carl use on the "Adult Child" and "MIU" stuff), and/or it may have been left off because it's barely an Xmas-themed song (if you ignore the "her love can make you feel like Christmas day" line, it has no other musical or lyrics motifs that remind one of an XMas song).

Another thing to keep in mind is that "Ultimate Christmas" was programmed based on the tenuous theory/plan as of 1998 (which would have been great) to issue all of the BB albums as single-album releases (rather than two-fers), with each CD having album-specific bonus tracks. That's why "The Lord's Prayer" was left off (it was going to be a bonus track on whatever was the next-closest BB album in terms of chronology). Perhaps they thought the same of something like "Go and Get that Girl", which could have been included on a theoretical "MIU Album" expanded disc.

The apparent circa 1993 attempt to issue the '77 XMas album is interesting. Prior to those promo cassettes surfacing in the last couple years, I had never heard of such an attempt. I'm still unsure if Capitol was doing it on the sly and then hoping that BRI would sign off on it. It's confusing, because Capitol shouldn't have even had access to the album master tape for that particular album. It's owned by BRI, and was originally submitted to Warner Bros back in 1977.

Further, by the time they got to the '98 "Ultimate Christmas" CD, at least one of the original '77 finished mixdowns was supposedly missing ("Bells of Christmas"), necessitating Al to spearhead remixing it for the '98 CD. So did Capitol actually work with BRI back in 1993 to try to release it (which would allow them access to the multitracks back then?), only for the thing to be canceled? Wasn't the GV boxed set coming out around that same time?

At least one or two people on this board bought that '77 album promo cassette on eBay; I was hoping they might post the contents on YouTube or something, as several of those tracks (e.g. "Alone on Christmas Day" and "Go and Get that Girl") only circulate in good-to-okayish sound quality.

[HeyJude]

Can't forget Mike and Dean's Jingle Bell Rock!

I love the music video. Dean Torrence is really cute!

It also resulted in a pretty goofy 45 picture sleeve:

[Rocker]

Can't forget Mike and Dean's Jingle Bell Rock!

I love the music video. Dean Torrence is really cute!

It also resulted in a pretty goofy 45 picture sleeve:

Wait! That was released as a single? So Mike even re-recorded one of his rare solo outings? Why not another one of the 1000s of Christmas tunes available? Anyway, then I have to add that as well....


BTW here's Mike and Bruce talking about "The Lord's prayer":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ycuRJCuH7I

[Reverberation]

Mike Love

Have Yourself a Merry Little Xmas
Do You Hear What I Hear

Is this the same version that is referenced on the Surfer Moon chord page for the 77 Christmas Album?
http://www.surfermoon.com/francis/merry_christmas.html

I've been looking for a BB version for a while but never found one and the versions of the album I've heard end with the Christmas Medley (which doesn't include HYSAMLC). Do you know if it recorded around the same time as these other 70s Christmas sessions? And is there a version featuring the BB that was intended for release on the 70s Christmas album?

[Rocker]

Mike Love

Have Yourself a Merry Little Xmas
Do You Hear What I Hear

Is this the same version that is referenced on the Surfer Moon chord page for the 77 Christmas Album?
http://www.surfermoon.com/francis/merry_christmas.html

I've been looking for a BB version for a while but never found one and the versions of the album I've heard end with the Christmas Medley (which doesn't include HYSAMLC). Do you know if it recorded around the same time as these other 70s Christmas sessions? And is there a version featuring the BB that was intended for release on the 70s Christmas album?

Noting that "Jingle bell rock" is also mentioned on that site and since I never heard of the BBs having recorded either one, I guess it refers to Mike's version from the Scrooge's Rock'n'Roll Christmas special.

[Bittersweet-Insanity]

Brian Wilson - Christmas Time from the 1986 Gary Usher sessions

[Rocker]

Brian Wilson - Christmas Time from the 1986 Gary Usher sessions

That's never been officially released AFAIK, was it?

[Bittersweet-Insanity]

oh, no

[BeachBoysCovers]

Not sure where this is from, but here is a live version of O Come All Ye Faithful from I assume the late 60s.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc_CVsNn3jM

[HeyJude]

Not sure where this is from, but here is a live version of O Come All Ye Faithful from I assume the late 60s.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc_CVsNn3jM

I believe that's from a late 1967 UNICEF show. I think all (or more) of the show used to be up on YouTube, but I'm not sure it's all there anymore.

[Rocker]

Yeah, that's from the UNICEF show. Here's the whole stuff that was uploaded to youtube a couple of years ago (Barbara Ann, God only knows, O come all ye faithfull):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgIscI9NL_Y

[Rocker]

Since it's that time again, I thought I'd put up this thread in case anybody missed it or would like to re-visit it.
I haven't checked if the links still funtion

[krabklaw]

This post by HeyJude gave me an idea:

Also worth mention is that they still have a page up on Brian's website that collects all the stray Xmas tracks including some not found on the XMas album (e.g. "The Christmas Song"):

http://www.brianwilson.com/christmas/

So, over the years the Beach Boys, or the individual members, have released Christmas-themed songs. Not all of them masterpieces, but I guess it would be a nice fan-compilation. Therefor I thought we could compile a list of them, if possible with a link, so that everyone can create his/her Beach Boys Christmas-"rarities" playlist.
Only criterion: The songs must be officially released and not be part of an album by the band (but single versions would be ok if they differ from the album release). Radio broadcasts do count. I include the bonus songs of "What I really want for Christmas" because they were only bonus and not part of the album itself.
I don't know if I forgot some stuff. Maybe one of you can add something. We could also include other things that are Christmas related like interviews etc. Do you know if there are such things?



The Beach Boys

Little Saint Nick (single version): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_3HLtW8mCw

Child of winter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPPnP3yFdhE

The Lord's prayer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pn6g8uAv0UU

O come all ye faithfull (live 1967): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc_CVsNn3jM


Brian Wilson

The Christmas song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIYx5tBFizQ

White Christmas - with Styx: http://www.brianwilson.com/christmas/

Silent night: http://www.brianwilson.com/christmas/

Peace on earth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cET-iLzxork

On Christmas day: http://www.brianwilson.com/christmas/  

Joy to the world: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gBsL7gcKCU


Mike Love

Jingle bell rock: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agUUp4VZaYM

Jingle bell rock - with Dean Torrence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RryIroTqs-k

Santa's goin' to Kokomo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6BCb1rsoT0

Alone on Christmas day: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEINo14z7OU

Do you hear what I hear? with Mary MacGregor: https://youtu.be/ARlZGJ8C5yM?t=1209   (link is from the TV special)

Have yourself a merry little Christmas: https://youtu.be/ARlZGJ8C5yM?t=2203  (link is from the TV special)


Al Jardine

Hurry up, hurry up, Santa Claus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lp8rlb0hC_E

Sunshine to snowflakes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0koOGcw9xRA

Big Sur Christmas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqlOQzLupjY

Christmas day (live): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkl4yv4etNU


Bonus

Collin Raye (with the Beach Boys) - Winter wonderland: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjOamhXJUNI

Brian Wilson and family - Silent night: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpDEMdhmPVs

Carnie & Wendy Wilson (feat. Carl Wilson) - Hey Santa!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VO8NYJ0bZ1c

The Beach Boys and family - I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3csflec-uo

How about that  new recording of "Love and Mercy" with The Miraculous Love Kids. That would be a great album closer.

[Rocker]

How about that  new recording of "Love and Mercy" with The Miraculous Love Kids. That would be a great album closer.

Well, that's not a Christmas song