Have a Holly Jolly Christmas
Burl Ives · 1965
29 min · 12 tracks · folk music
Joyful, nostalgic arrangements of classic holiday songs infused with Burl Ives' warm, inviting baritone.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
A Holly Jolly Christmas Start here — This track serves as the album's signature song, capturing the essence of festive cheer with its catchy melody and joyful lyrics. Its widespread recognition makes it synonymous with holiday celebrations.
-
→
Rudolph the Red‐Nosed Reindeer — Ives' rendition of this beloved children's story highlights his storytelling ability and connects deeply with listeners of all ages, becoming a staple in holiday playlists.
-
→
The Little Drummer Boy — This track showcases Ives’ emotive vocal delivery and adds a heartfelt dimension to the album, resonating with themes of giving and humility during the Christmas season.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's warm arrangements and classic holiday songs create a nostalgic experience, making it a seasonal favorite.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of orchestral arrangements that complement Ives' baritone voice, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
- Each track maintains a moderate tempo, with the majority featuring traditional holiday melodies that are easily recognizable.
- The sequencing places the most well-known songs, like 'A Holly Jolly Christmas' and 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer', at the beginning, establishing an immediate festive mood.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- short, festive listening sessions
- warm, nostalgic holiday vibes
- cheerful background ambiance
- family gathering soundtrack
- lighthearted seasonal enjoyment
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Fan Favorite — This album is a seasonal , cherished by fans for its holiday spirit.
- Career context
- Released in 1965, Have a Holly Jolly Christmas marked Burl Ives' foray into holiday music during a period when he was already an established folk artist. Fresh off the success of his previous albums, this collection solidified his legacy as a Christmas music staple and coincided with his growing popularity in television and film.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Pete Seeger· Woody Guthrie· The Weavers
Tracklist
- 1 A Holly Jolly Christmas Start here 2:12
- 2 Christmas Is a Birthday 2:40
- 3 Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town 2:07
- 4 Christmas Child (Loo, Loo, Loo) 2:47
- 5 White Christmas 2:07
- 6 Christmas Can’t Be Far Away 2:31
- 7 The Little Drummer Boy 3:51
- 8 Snow for Johnny 2:35
- 9 Rudolph the Red‐Nosed Reindeer 2:07
- 10 Winter Wonderland 2:14
- 11 Silver Bells 2:11
- 12 I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day 2:10
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.