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Mele Kalikimaka: The Hawaiian Christmas Carol

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Mele Kalikimaka Is the Thing to Say

Robert Anderson, born in Honolulu, Hawaii and better known as R. Alex Anderson, wrote Mele Kalikimaka in the 1940s. The first major recording came from Bing Crosby with the Andrews Sisters, from Decca Records, in 1950. Although it's not the best-known or most-loved Christmas song out there, Mele Kalikimaka is one of my favorites. It's spirited and cheery, and you just don't hear enough ukelele during the holidays. (Can't you just hear those tikis singing the song, right now?) Here, you'll find the lyrics, music videos, and sample tracks to get you into the Hawaiian Christmas spirit. Let me know if I've missed the version of Mele Kalikimaka that you love best.

My Favorite Version of Mele Kalikimaka

Bing Crosby, of course.

Mele Kalikimaka (Merry Christmas)

Mele Kalikimaka (Merry Christmas)

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With Bing Crosby's smooth voice and the vivacious Andrews Sisters swinging backup vocals, this version of Mele Kalikimaka will get stuck in your head for weeks. It's the perfect antidote to the winter doldrums and an excellent holiday pick-me-up.

Music Videos for Mele Kalikimaka

From Smooth Bing to Fun Ska and More!


Don't miss the Bing Crosby version with the Andrews Sisters. Some of the pictures of Bing are adorable. I've included the clip from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation because, well, it's funny. The Reel Big Fish version of the song is a great deal of fun, after the crazy intro. The KT Tunstall video is actually just black but it sounds great!

For the geekier among you, try the Mele Kalikimaka made entirely on Casio toy keyboards from the 80s. I'm having a tough time with videos, unfortunately. They keep getting pulled! Here's hoping that more celebrities perform the song this Christmas, so that I can add more great versions. If anyone has a video of a full Chris Isaak version, please share it with me. That was one of my favorites! And if you see one that's going please do let me know.
Bette Midler Mele Kalikimaka
by Picardy | video info

543 ratings | 396,218 views
curated content from YouTube

Lyrics for Mele Kalikimaka

For the Bing Crosby and Andrews Sisters Version

The first verse is sung by Bing Crosby, then it's repeated by the Andrews Sisters. They sing the rest of the song together. You can almost picture the Andrews Sisters, smiling for all they're worth, doing a little fake hula, while Bing croons with that famous half-smile.

Mele Kalikimaka is the thing to say
On a bright Hawian Christmas Day
That's the island greeting that we send to you
From the land where palm trees sway
Here we know that Christmas will be green and bright
The sun to shine by day and all the stars at night
Mele Kalikimaka is Hawaii's way
To say Merry Christmas to you

Here we know that Christmas will be green and bright
The sun to shine by day and all the stars at night
Mele Kalikimaka is Hawaii's way
To say Merry Christmas to you

Mele Kalikimaka is the thing to say
On a bright Hawian Christmas Day
Thats the island greeting that we send to you
From the land where palm trees sway
Here we know that Christmas will be green and bright
The sun to shine by day and all the stars at night
Mele Kalikimaka is Hawaii's way to say Merry Christmas
A very Merry Christmas
A very, very, Merry, Merry Chistmas to you

Sample Other Cover Versions of Mele Kalikimaka

Find Bette Midler, Chris Isaak, and of course Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters wishing you a Merry Christmas in Hawaiian style.

Mele Kalikimaka Wear

For a bright, Hawaiian Christmas day.

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Which Is Your Favorite Version of Mele Kalikimaka

  • Kolish Dec 7, 2011 @ 7:45 am | delete
    Bing Crosby - is there any other???
  • Mia-Mia Nov 25, 2011 @ 11:25 pm | delete
    This is one of my all time favorite Christmas songs. I almost wore out the record album of bing in the Santa hat. Now I have it on CD.
  • trektark Nov 4, 2011 @ 7:43 am | delete
    Great song! Love the Bing Crosby version the best!
  • noobeegin Jan 22, 2011 @ 6:45 am | delete
    Isn't this song fun? One year for Christmas, I made a Mele Kalikimaka gift for my Aunt and Uncle who had taken one f their most favorite trips to Hawaii. Each day starting Decemer 1st, they would open a gift that related to Hawaii and was like taking another trip and would set them up for their own Hawaiian dinner in the middle of winter. When I presented it to them, I sang Mele Kalikimaka to them. We had so much fun with it. They still talk about the basket today. Thanks for reminding me of how fun this song really is.
  • SandyPeaks Dec 4, 2010 @ 5:49 pm | delete
    Bing's of course! Have a SquidAngel Blessing for this delightful lens!
  • hlkljgk Jan 26, 2009 @ 12:57 pm | delete
    this past christmas, i had my almost 3 year old daughter singing this - hysterical!
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