Go to main content

Elvis Sings The Wonderful World Of Christmas

By Blogcritics/ David Bowling, July 22, 2008 | Music
Elvis Presley released his second Christmas album on October 20, 1971. Elvis Sings The Wonderful World Of Christmas was an album that sold well over a long period of time and would eventually pass 3 million copies sold. While it topped the Billboard holiday charts; from 1963-1973 Christmas albums were not allowed on the pop charts. It is safe to say that this release by Elvis would easily have reached the Top Five.
Elvis Sings The Wonderful World Of Christmas may not have been as consistently strong as his classic 1957 Christmas release; nevertheless it still stands on its own as an excellent album. It also continued the high quality of Elvis’ gospel and holiday album releases.

Four songs form the album form the heart of the listening experience. The wonderful ballad, “Holly Leaves and Christmas Trees,” features Elvis’ rich voice on a song that evokes holiday memories. “Merry Christmas Baby” is given a unique treatment as Elvis takes this secular classic in a blues direction. Elvis puts his soul into the performance and strains, in a good way, to express his passion through the song’s lyrics. “If I Get Home On Christmas Day” is another fine rendition by Elvis. His tone and deep baritone are just right for one of his better 1970’s performances. “On A Snowy Christmas Night” can be considered a romantic Christmas song. Elvis sings two traditional Christmas carols on the album. “The First Noel” is the more successful of the two as Elvis slows the song down a bit to allow the cadence to fit his voice at its best. “O Come, All Ye Faithful” is an inspirational song better suited to multiple voices and while Elvis acquits himself well; his voice seems lost at times. I would have loved to have heard Elvis’ voice overdubbed several dozen times to create a choir sound.

Some other representative performances include Elvis’ perky renditions of “Winter Wonderland” and “Silver Bells” plus a nice sincere vocal on “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.”

Elvis Sings The Wonderful World Of Christmas finds Elvis in fine form and the songs from the album were a fine addition to the Elvis legacy. Today all his holiday songs have been combined onto one CD release and are well worth seeking out.

Related links


Buy at Amazon.co.uk
Mofoca22 wrote on July 22, 2008
i like that album a lot to me its a classic as much as the one in 57 was
JerryNodak wrote on July 22, 2008
When I was a kid I preferred "Elvis' Christmas Album." As I've grown older I find myself much more drawn to "Wonderful World Of Christmas." As Christmases come and go I find that I rarely play the '57 album anymore.
Steve V wrote on July 22, 2008
Love the album but some of the songs are sad (Holly Leaves, It Wont Seem Like Christmas, etc). Wow what holiday spirit, but great music! I always preferred Elvis singing non-traditional songs like these instead of Silent Night, etc. since so many other singers sang those songs. When I want a real rocking Christmas I put on the '57 album & Spector's LP. When I want a little more mellow, I put on this one & others. I like both equally as much.
Ruthie wrote on July 23, 2008
Personally, I am not crazy about any Christmas music by anyone - period. However, during the "season" I can't get enough of his version "If I get home on Christmas Day". A great blues version of that song. As only he can do it.
Natha wrote on July 23, 2008
I have nothing with christmas or gospels. However, apart from the first two (which I even don't like when Elvis is singing them) the other songs are nice to listen to. In my case especially when it is not 'the season'. If I have to listen to christmas songs I rather have the 57 album. Much more fun!
Deke Rivers 6 wrote on July 23, 2008
I bought this LP first time around & enjoyed it apart from "Winter Wonderland. terrible guitar on this, spoils it. the rest of the album is good though.
circleG wrote on July 23, 2008
I love this album and its sentiment. christmas isn't always a time of booze and parties for everyone, sometimes its a time for reflection and that's obviously what it stirred up in Elvis. Wish this album with outtakes was promoted more at Christmas instead of the compilations.
Rob Wanders wrote on July 23, 2008
1971 is a puzzling year for me as as far as it concerns Elvis' voice. His voice developed a big vibrato. Too big sometimes. If you compare it to 1970 and before. On this album you can hear the difference between 1970 voice and 1971 voice very much. Nevertheless there are some beautiful songs here: Merry Xmas baby, I'll be home on Xmas (specially the alternate more bluesy-version), If I get home, It won't seem and On a snowy Xmasnight. Not really good, acoording to me are Silver bells, The first Noel and O come all ye faithful. I'm glad they didnot overdub his voice and create a chorussound with this last song 'cause with so many voices with the vibrato in this song you would not be able to recognize any pitch anymore.
Herman wrote on July 23, 2008
The best Christmas album ever !
sitdown68 wrote on July 24, 2008
apart of those songs mentioned already I'd go for The Wonderful World of Christmas...
Sandman wrote on February 01, 2010
Not as exciting as his first christmas album.