Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" is a song written in 1943<ref name="Theatlantic">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Judyroom">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=Boynextdoor#1>Template:Cite book</ref> by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane and introduced by Judy Garland in the 1944 MGM musical Meet Me in St. Louis. Frank Sinatra later recorded a version with modified lyrics. In 2007, ASCAP ranked it the third most performed Christmas song during the preceding five years that had been written by ASCAP members.<ref> Template:Cite press release</ref> In 2004 it finished at No. 76 in AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs rankings of the top tunes in North American cinema.

Meet Me in St. Louis

The song was written in 1943<ref name="Theatlantic"/><ref name="Judyroom"/><ref name=Boynextdoor#1/> for the film Meet Me in St. Louis, for which MGM had hired Martin and Blane to write several songs.<ref name=Boynextdoor#1/> Martin was vacationing in a house in the neighborhood of Southside in Birmingham, Alabama, that his father Hugh Martin had designed for his mother as a honeymoon cottage, located just down the street from his birthplace, and which later became the home of Martin and his family in 1923.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The song first appeared in a scene in which a family is distraught by the father's plans to move to New York City for a job promotion, leaving behind their beloved home in St. Louis, Missouri, just before the long-anticipated 1904 World's Fair begins. In a scene set on Christmas Eve, Judy Garland's character, Esther, sings the song to cheer up her despondent five-year-old sister, Tootie, played by Margaret O'Brien.<ref> {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Lyrics and revisions

Some of Martin's original lyrics were rejected before filming began.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name = "ew"/> When presented with the original draft, Garland, her co-star Tom Drake, and director Vincente Minnelli criticized the song for being depressing, and asked Martin to change the lyrics. Though he initially resisted, ultimately several changes made the song more upbeat. For example, the lines "It may be your last / Next year we may all be living in the past" became "Let your heart be light / Next year all our troubles will be out of sight". Garland's version of the song, which was also released as a single by Decca Records, became popular among United States troops serving in World War II; her performance at the Hollywood Canteen brought many soldiers to tears.<ref name = "stories"> Template:Cite book</ref>

In 1957, when Frank Sinatra approached Martin to record the song, he asked him to revise the lyrics to promote more positive themes; he particularly pointed out the line "until then we'll have to muddle through somehow," saying "the name of my album is A Jolly Christmas. Do you think you could jolly up that line for me?"<ref name = "ew" >Template:Cite magazine</ref> Martin's revised lyric was "hang a shining star upon the highest bough." Martin made several other alterations, changing from the future tense to the present, so that the song's focus is a celebration of present happiness rather than anticipation of a better future.<ref name="Macleans">Template:Cite news</ref> (However, Sinatra had recorded the original song's lyrics in 1948.) On The Judy Garland Show Christmas Special, Garland sang the song to her children Joey and Lorna Luft with Sinatra's revised lyrics.<ref>Template:Cite episode</ref>

In 2001, Martin, occasionally active as a pianist with religious ministries since the 1980s, wrote an entirely new set of lyrics to the song with John Fricke, "Have Yourself a Blessed Little Christmas," a religious version of the secular Christmas standard. The song was recorded by female gospel vocalist Del Delker with Martin accompanying her on piano.<ref> {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In a 2002 interview, NewSong lead singer Michael O'Brien claimed that the line "through the years, we all will be together if the Lord allows," was part of the original song but was purged and replaced with "if the fates allow" to remove religious reference when the song was released. O'Brien stated that while a pastor in a California church in 1990, he had met Martin, who played piano at the church where O'Brien was serving for an evening, and the pastor was told, "That's the original way I wrote it, so I want you to sing it this way."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Collaboration controversy

Although Ralph Blane is credited with writing the music for many of Martin's songs, Martin claimed in his autobiography that he wrote both music and lyrics to all of the songs in Meet Me in St. Louis and that "all of the so-called Martin and Blane songs (except for Best Foot Forward) were written entirely by me (solo) without help from Ralph or anybody else."<ref name="Martin 2010 390–392">Template:Cite book</ref> His explanation for allowing Blane equal credit for the songs was: "I was reasonably content to let him receive equal screen credit, sheet music credit, ASCAP royalties, etc., mainly because this bizarre situation was caused by my naive and atrocious lack of business acumen."<ref name="Martin 2010 390–392"/>

Cover versions

Judy Garland's 1944 version of the song reached No. 27 on the Billboard charts.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

The Carpenters included the record on their 1978 Christmas album Christmas Portrait. This version gained universal acceptance on the Christmas music radio format, where it was the most played of over 20 different versions of the song in November 2025.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Tori Amos included an acoustic version of the song as the B-side to her 1998 single "Spark".

In 1993, Tatsuro Yamashita sang a cover version with orchestra included album Season's Greetings.

Chicago covered this song in their nineteenth studio album Chicago XXV: The Christmas Album with Champlin and Scheff as vocals. This album was re-issued in 2003 as What's It Gonna Be, Santa?<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Also in 2003, Whitney Houston recorded the song for her first and only holiday album, One Wish: The Holiday Album.

In 2007, Relient K recorded the song for their second Christmas album, Let It Snow, Baby... Let It Reindeer.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Their version peaked at number 11 on the US Hot Christian Songs chart.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

In 2009, Keyshia Cole reached number 58 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart with a version of the song.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

In 2011, Michael Bublé's version reached number 98 on the top 100 charts.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> This version would reach a new peak of 41 in 2023.

In 2014, English singer Sam Smith released a cover version which debuted at number 90 on the Billboard Hot 100, the first time a version of the song had charted on the Billboard list.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> The song reached top ten on the US and Canadian adult contemporary charts and on the US Holiday chart. It also peaked inside the top forty in Finland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Switzerland.

In 2016, Josh Groban reached number 1 on the US adult contemporary charts with a version of the song.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

In December 2017, at least two new versions of the song were released:

• Sabrina Carpenter sang a cover version.
• Phoebe Bridgers released a cover of this song, which has been included on her various Christmas EPs. <ref> Template:Cite website</ref>

In 2018, at least three new versions of the song were released:

• John Legend reached number 1 on the US adult contemporary charts with a version of the song from his album A Legendary Christmas, featuring Esperanza Spalding on duet vocals.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
• Azealia Banks, American rapper and singer songwriter released a cover of this song on her Christmas EP Icy Colors Change.
• New Zealand band The Beths released a single with their cover version.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 2023, former Fifth Harmony members Ally Brooke and Dinah Jane released a new cover version of the song.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Lorna Luft version

In 1995, American singer Lorna Luft, daughter of Judy Garland, recorded a cover of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" which was reworked as a "virtual duet" with her mother Judy Garland. It was produced by Gordon Lorenz and released as a CD single only in the UK by Carlton Sounds label. A music video featured Luft performing the song in a studio interspersed with classic footage of Garland singing to a then 11-year-old Luft on the 1963 Christmas episode of her CBS variety television series The Judy Garland Show, all placed on the same screen.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Luft's version of the song peaked at number 100 on the UK singles chart on December 16, 1995.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Track listing

1. "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (Radio Edit)" – 3:16
2. "Me And My Shadow / The Nearness Of You" – 4:38
3. "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (Extended Edit)" – 4:02

Charts

Judy Garland version

Chart (2018)	Peak position
Latvia (DigiTop100)<ref name="LV">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	45

Frank Sinatra version

Template:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chart

Chart (2022–2024)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	46
Greece International (IFPI)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	44
Lithuania (AGATA)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	36
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	73

Michael Bublé version

Template:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chart

Chart (2014–2024)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	48
Italy (FIMI)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	20
US Holiday 100 (Billboard)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	24
US Rolling Stone Top 100<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	25

Christina Aguilera version

Chart (2011–2018)	Peak position
Lithuania (AGATA)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	84
Netherlands (Single Top 100)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	95
US Holiday 100 (Billboard)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	31
US Holiday Digital Songs (Billboard)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	18
US Holiday Streaming Songs (Billboard)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	14
US Hot RingMasters (Billboard)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	31

Sam Smith version

Template:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chart

Chart (2014–2023)	Peak position
France (SNEP)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	95
Greece International (IFPI Greece)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	70
Latvia (DigiTop100)<ref name="LV"/>	54
Lithuania (AGATA)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	38
US Holiday 100 (Billboard)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	9

Relient K

Weekly charts

Template:Single chart

Chart (2007–08)	Peak position
UK Cross Rhythms Weekly Chart<ref name="Cross Rhythms">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	5
US Christian AC (Billboard)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	9

Year-end charts

Chart (2007)	Peak position
UK Cross Rhythms Annual Chart<ref name="Cross Rhythms"/>	65

Chart (2008)	Peak position
US Christian AC (Radio & Records)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	98

See also

• List of number-one adult contemporary singles of 2016 (U.S.)
• List of number-one adult contemporary singles of 2018 (U.S.)

External links

• Template:Webarchive – with the history of the song's lyrics, including three different versions