White Christmas Trivia Quiz

Answer: Irving Berlin

There seems to be a debate about where Berlin wrote the song. Some say he wrote it while staying in warm California weather. Others say it was written in New York. Berlin often took many drafts of his songs before completing them, so it may be possible it was composed in California, but finished in New York.

He apparently thought this would be a hit song, telling his secretary that it was "the best song anyone ever wrote."

Answer: Yes

In its first publication in 1955, the Guinness Book of Records noted that "White Christmas" was the best selling single of all time. Eighty years later, it has not been surpassed, with over 50 million copies sold. Elton John's 1997 version of "Candle in the Wind" ranked second in 2022 with 33 million copies sold.

Answer: Holiday Inn

"Holiday Inn" was a musical released in 1942 starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire. The film was nominated for two other Oscars --Best Score and Best Original Story-- and was directed by Mark Sandrich. As an aside, the hotel chain Holiday Inn's name was inspired by the movie.

Answer: I used to know

These lyrics are followed by:

"Where the treetops glisten and children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow, the snow."

Each year, this song can be heard on the radio. Many people play this at Christmas parties.

Answer: Yes

The movie is set in 1944 in World War II, where Crosby's character is a former Broadway star who ascended to the rank of Captain in the armed forces. Danny Kaye stars as Phil Davis, and Rosemary Clooney stars as Betty Haynes. The film had a budget of $2 million and it grossed $30 million at the box office.

Answer: Michael Buble

The song was a duet with fellow Canadian singer, Shania Twain. The album also featured other Christmas classic songs such as, "Santa Baby," "I'll Be Home for Christmas", "Jingle Bells," and "Santa Claus is Coming to Town." The album topped the US Billboard 200 in 2011 soon after its release. It was one of the biggest selling albums of the 2010s with over 14 million copies sold.

Answer: Theme from Shaft

"Over the Rainbow" topped the list. It was used in the 1939 movie "Wizard of Oz" and was sung by Judy Garland. Isaac Hayes' "Theme from Shaft," while not in the top five, ranked 38th on the list. The songs "White Christmas" beat out include "Mrs. Robinson," Jailhouse Rock," and " My Heart Will Go On."

Answer: The Drifters

The Drifters, led by vocalist Clyde McPhatter, released the song in 1954. It was played in "Home Alone" during the iconic scene where Kevin McCallister, played by Macaulay Culkin, pats his face with aftershave and screams in pain. The Drifters version was also used in the 1994 Christmas movie, "The Santa Clause," starring Tim Allen.

Answer: Don't Fence Me In

The song was written by Cole Porter and Robert Fletcher in 1934. Crosby, along with the Andrews Sisters, recorded a version in 1944 and it went to number one on the Billboard charts for eight weeks. Two other of Crosby's recordings have been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame as well: "Swinging on a Star" in 2002, and "Pennies from Heaven" in 2004.

Answer: snow

This verse is near the end of the song, and it concludes with these lyrics:

"I am dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days, may your days, may your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle bells all the way"