Hardest The Stories Behind Christmas Songs Trivia Quiz | Music

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Most people don't usually associate World War II with Christmas music. However, one song in particular was written for the season as homage to the enlisted men and women. Bing Crosby recorded his version on October 4, 1943. Which of the following songs is it?

Answer: I'll Be Home for Christmas

If you think about it, this song is as relevant today as it was seventy years ago. Lyricist Kim Gannon felt inspired to write the words as he reflected on the emotional toll the war was having on families. In that respect not much has changed. He was able to capture the uncertainty and loss of war in the simple but beautifully written words. If those fighting in the war couldn't be physically home for the holidays, then surely they could be there in spirit. Gannon gave his lyrics to songwriter Walter Kent who put the words to music.

The line about "presents on the tree" was actually a reference to the fact that families back then really did tie gifts to the tree. Nowadays, most singers replace the words "on the tree" to "by the tree."

2. Meredith Willson is best remembered for his delightful musical "The Music Man." He wrote other musicals and songs, of course, but one Broadway musical, which ran from October 1963 to July 1964, has since faded into oblivion. It was called "Here's Love" and was based on the Christmas film "Miracle on 34th Street." Which upbeat Christmas song came from that musical?

Answer: It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Willson wrote the song long before he incorporated it into his Broadway musical. Crooner Perry Como, having already recorded two Christmas songs, wanted to record the song after he first heard it. In 1951 he got his chance and the recording not only became a big hit it also became one of Como's signature songs.

Incidentally, "Here's Love" contained another Christmas song: "Pinecones and Holly Berries."

3. Mel Torm� was a talented singer and songwriter who worked with Frank Sinatra and Henry Mancini early in his career. He wrote one of the most beloved Christmas songs on one of the hottest days of the year. Which of the following songs did Mel write?

Answer: The Christmas Song

The lyrics quite literally fell into Mel's lap. He had been visiting his friend, lyricist Robert Wells, and noticed a writing pad on Wells' piano. The lyricist had written a few lines of wintry thoughts in an attempt to cool off from the California heat.

When Mel read those few lines something clicked and he had the beginnings of a Christmas song. He co-wrote the lyrics with Wells and composed the beautiful tune. He brought the finished product to his friend Nat King Cole and played it for him. Cole, already a popular singer, liked it and was immediately interested in recording it.

The rest, as they say, is history.

4. "Meet Me in St. Louis" was not specifically a Christmas movie but it did have a Christmas song in it. Judy Garland sang a yuletide song to her younger sister, Tootie, in an effort to cheer her up. Which of the following songs is it?

Answer: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

The family's glum mood came from the fact that the family would soon be relocating from St. Louis to New York and no one really wanted to go. The scene where Miss Garland sings that wonderful tune is the one where she and Tootie are sitting at a picture window, looking out at the wintry scene before them. Ralph Blane provided the lyrics and Hugh Martin composed the music to this enduring Christmas song.

5. Alfred Burt was an American musician who wrote many Christmas songs before his early death at age thirty-three. Along with church organist and lyricist Wihla Hutson, he composed which of the following tunes?

Answer: The Star Carol

Burt and Hutson collaborated on two of my favorite holiday songs: "This is Christmas"(Bright, Bright, the Holly Berries)and "Some Children See Him." They also wrote other yuletide songs such as "Caroling, Caroling" which has grown in popularity over the years.

6. Richard Carpenter and his sister Karen were the members of a 1970s musical group known as The Carpenters. They burned up the charts with hit songs such as "Close to You" and "We've Only Just Began." Richard Carpenter composed the music to a Christmas tune that is still played on the airwaves today. What is that song called?

Answer: Merry Christmas, Darling

Frank Pooler, a college choir director, had written the lyrics to the tune many years before he asked Richard Carpenter to provide the music. Carpenter had been the choir's pianist and Pooler knew that he was an aspiring songwriter. The two collaborated on the song and the result was recorded in 1970 with Karen Carpenter's unique voice providing the vocals.

7. Israel Baline, better known as Irving Berlin, wrote one of the most popular and enduring Christmas songs of all time. It was first sung by Bing Crosby in the film "Holiday Inn." What is it called?

Answer: White Christmas

Irving Berlin was asked to score the music to the 1942 film "Holiday Inn." After he completed his song "White Christmas," he wasn't sold on it. Frustrated and discouraged, Berlin took the song to Bing Crosby who sang it and loved it. Crosby's version of the song and the movie that introduced it became very popular because it struck a chord in America at that time.

The U.S. had entered World War II and the picture postcard image of falling snow and glistening tree tops appealed to so many Americans.

8. Although no one knows exactly when this Christmas song was written, most historians believe it was during the 16th century. It was first sung by troubadours traveling through the English towns. If you like 'figgy pudding' then you should be able to name this holiday song.

Answer: We Wish You A Merry Christmas

Nowadays many people forgo the 'Merry Christmas' greeting and simply wish everyone a 'Happy Holiday' or 'Season's Greetings.' Oliver Cromwell, who ruled England in the 17th century, tried to do away with Christmas and all its festivities. For a time this Christmas song evoked a feeling of consternation and fear. Now we sing it as the joyful carol it was meant to be.

9. Singing cowboy Gene Autry wrote the lyrics to a Christmas song after he was upstaged by Santa Claus in Hollywood's Santa Claus Lane Parade. What song did Autry write?

Answer: Here Comes Santa Claus

Autry was beloved by everyone because he was friendly and down-to-earth. When he appeared in the 1946 Santa Claus Lane Parade, he was sitting atop his horse, Champion, and waving to one and all. At one point in the parade, Autry realized the children weren't looking at him anymore.

A man in a red suit and white beard was following closely behind him, traveling in a sleigh, and that's why the children were excited, not because he was riding his horse. Not one to let an opportunity pass him by, Autry penned the lyrics to his Christmas song not long after the parade.

He enlisted his friend, Oakley Halderman, to write the music.

10. Jay Livingston and Ray Evans wrote a holiday song that epitomizes the hustle and bustle of Christmas in the city. It was sung by Marilyn Maxwell and Bob Hope in the 1951 film "The Lemon Drop Kid." Which of the following songs is it?

Answer: Silver Bells

The song "Silver Bells" fared better than the movie, which had a lukewarm reception from moviegoers. Perhaps the song struck a chord because bells, more than anything else, signify the yuletide season, from ringing church bells to Salvation Army bell-ringers.

Source: Author nmerr

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor agony before going online.
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The Stories Behind Christmas Songs Quiz

Have you ever wondered how some Christmas songs came to be? What inspired the songwriters and lyricists? Take this quiz and become inspired yourself.

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