Christmas Music Lyrics Trivia Quiz

Answer: The Christmas Song

Who can forget Nat King Cole's spotless rendition of this classic song written by Mel Torme? Did you also know that the first line listed in the question ('Chestnuts roasting on an open fire') is also the subtitle of the tune?

Answer: False

Not so fast there, partner! In fact, it is part and parcel of the lyrics for the tune 'Jingle Bell Rock', a song first released in 1957 by Bobby Helms. Naturally, the title was derived from the tune 'Jingle Bells', which was written exactly 100 years prior (1857).

Answer: Nuttin' for Christmas

'Nuttin' for Christmas' was written by Tepper and Bennett in 1955, and includes some of the all-time greatest subversive Christmas lyrics. The naughty child who supposedly narrates the song has done terrible things such as making Tommy eat a bug, dancing on Mommy's plants and filling the sugar bowl with ants. I sense a lump of coal in his/her future...

Answer: Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Judy Garland sung this song, written by Martin and Blaine, in the 1944 movie 'Meet Me in St. Louis'. It has also been covered by country singer Vince Gill and R&B singer Luther Vandross, among many others.

Answer: Sleigh Ride

Here is the first verse of the song in its entirety:

'Just hear those sleigh bells jingling,
ring ting tingling, too.
Come on, it's lovely weather
for a sleigh ride together with you.
Outside the snow is falling
and friends are calling "Yoo hoo".
Come on, it's lovely weather
for a sleigh ride together with you.'

A number of subsequent verses, and a chorus, follow.

Answer: Silver Bells

Typically, people think the first verse of the song is as follows:

'City sidewalk, busy sidewalks dressed in holiday style. In the air there's a feeling of Christmas.'

But a verse with the above words (in the question) actually does precede these more well-known lyrics.

Answer: Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer

Written by Randy Brooks, this song was popularized by Elmo and Patsy Shropshire in a 1979 rendition. Not your typical Christmas tune, it talks of the eventful passing of a beloved but irresponsible babushka who seemingly has mixed her medication with alcohol...a bad combo.

Answer: Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer

'Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer' is certainly one of the most playful Christmas songs, especially when children can ad-lib inserted lines. Some of the 'ad-libs' that have become standard are 'like a light bulb', which is inserted after the line 'had a very shiny nose', 'like Pinocchio', which makes sense after 'used to laugh and call him names' and 'like Columbus', typically included after the final line 'You'll go down in history!' My personal favorite is the insertion of 'in his underwear' after 'Santa came to say', but I'm not sure why...

Answer: Do They Know It's Christmas?

George Michael's line was just one among many in this wonderful number one hit by 'Band Aid', a group of British rockers hoping to raise money for starving people in Africa. Among other performers on the original 1984 version were Boy George, Bono, Sting and Simon LeBon.

Answer: Little Drummer Boy

Written by Davis, Onorati and Simeone in 1941, 'Little Drummer Boy' has achieved classic status as a Christmas carol. My favorite memory of this song was the time it was performed as a duet by David Bowie and Bing Crosby.

Thank you for playing this quiz, I hope you have enjoyed it.