A Favorite Christmas Carol from David Bowie and Bing Crosby
Peace on Earth / The Little Drummer Boy is one of my all time favorite Christmas Carol. The song is from an Bing Crosby Christmas special in 1977 with the very unlikely duet of Bing Crosby and a young David Bowie.
It's hard to believe it has been 30 years since this Christmas song of Peace was first performed.
Apparently I wasn't the only one that enjoyed this Christmas Carol. Several years ago, it was much harder to find the music. I'd been able to get a copy on a Starbuck's Winterludes Christmas CD in the late 1990's. Fortunately now with the interest and this becoming a favorite of many people, the CD and the Video Clip are now readily available.
These sentiments are good reminders of the true spirit of the holidays, perhaps the greatest gift we can pass on to each other and to our children...
Peace on Earth
Can it Be?
For the sake of our children, I hope so.
Photo source: Compilation of Microsoft Images.
Peace on Earth / The Little Drummer Boy
From Wikipedia
"Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy" is a medley of two Christmas songs performed by David Bowie and Bing Crosby.
The track was originally recorded on September 11, 1977 for Crosby's 1977 television special, Bing Crosbys Merrie Olde Christmas. The pair exchanged dialogue about what they do for Christmas before singing a medley of a traditional song, "Little Drummer Boy", and a new song written for the special, "Peace on Earth". Bowies appearance has been described as a "surreal" event, undertaken at a time that he was "actively trying to normalise his career".David Buckley (1999) Strange Fascination - David Bowie: The Definitive Story: pp.327-328 He has since recalled that he only appeared on the show because "I just knew my mother liked him."Nicholas Pegg (2000). The Complete David Bowie: p.161 Crosby would die just over a month after recording the special.
According to co-writer Ian Fraser, Bowie balked at singing "Little Drummer Boy". "I hate this song. Is there something else I could sing?" Fraser recalls Bowie telling him. Fraser, along with songwriter Larry Grossman and the special's scriptwriter, Buz Kohan, then wrote "Peace on Earth" and arranged a medley of it with "Little Drummer Boy". Bowie sang "Peace on Earth" and Crosby performed "Little Drummer Boy".Paul Farhi (December 20, 2006). "Bing and Bowie: An Odd Story of Holiday Harmony", The Washington Post. Retrieved December 21, 2006.
The medley was available for some years as a bootleg single backed with "Heroes",Roy Carr & Charles Shaar Murray (1981). Bowie: An Illustrated Record: p.117 which Bowie had also performed on the TV special. In 1982, RCA issued the recording as an official single, complete with the dialogue, arbitrarily placing "Fantastic Voyage" from the Lodger album on the B-side. Bowie was unhappy with this move, which further soured his strained relationship with RCA, and he left the label soon after. The single would climb to #3 on the UK charts, boosted by a 12" picture disc release, and has since become a perennial on British Christmas compilation albums, with the TV sequence also a regular on UK nostalgia shows.
David Bowie and Bing Crosby - Peace on Earth
On YouTube
The Little Drummer Boy
Pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
A new born king to see
Pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
Our finest gifts we bring
Pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
Rum-pum-pum-pum
Rum-pum-pum-pum
Peace On Earth / The Little Drummer Boy on CD's
Available on Amazon
How Cool Is That Christmas
Amazon Price: $13.98 (as of 10/12/2008)
Martha Stewart Living Music: Traditional Songs for the Holidays
Amazon Price: $16.98 (as of 10/12/2008)
Peace on Earth...Can it Be?
Peace on Earth Lyrics Counter Melody to the Little Drummer Boy
Years from now, perhaps we'll see
See the day of glory
See the day when men of good will
Live in peace, live in peace again
Peace on earth, can it be
Peace on Earth / The Little Drummer Boy to Download
MP3's Available on Amazon
Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy (With Dialogue) (Medley) (24-Bit Digitally Remastered 99)
Price: $0.99
Amazon Price: $0.99 (as of 10/12/2008)
Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy (Medley) (2006 Digital Remaster)
Price: $0.99
Amazon Price: $0.99 (as of 10/12/2008)
Peace on Earth...
I hope to live to see the day
when men of good will
live in peace, live in peace again.
Another Version of Peace on Earth / The Little Drummer Boy
On YouTube
Note that the introduction is in German.
Gregorian & Amelia Brightman - Peace On Earth
Gregorian & Amelia Brightman - Peace On Earth - From the German TV ZDF "Live from Melodien für Millionen" of 19 November, 2006. * Song available on the New CD: Gregorian Christmas Chants - 2006.
Runtime: 3:25
147170 views
10 Comments:
Every Child Must be Made to Care
Peace on Earth Lyrics Counter Melody to the Little Drummer Boy
Every child must be made to care
Care enough for his fellow man
To give all the love that he can
Other Squidoo Lenses on David Bowie
-
David Bowie
-
David Bowie (born David Robert Hayward Jones on January 8, 1947) is an iconic cross-era English rock musician. Bowie is commonly known as the chameleon of rock, due to his ability to predict (and even set) musical trends, adjusting his musical person...
-
David Bowie
-
"Don't you wonder sometimes 'Bout sound and vision Blue, blue, electric blue That's the colour of my room Where I will live Blue, blue" Sound and Vision, that is exactly what David Bowie is all about and the man has certainly been gifted with bot...
Peace on Earth / The Little Drummer Boy Auction Memorabilia
On eBay
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
I Pray My Wish will Come True
Peace on Earth Lyrics Counter Melody to the Little Drummer Boy
For my child and your child too
He'll see the day of glory
See the day when men of good will
Live in peace, live in peace again
Peace on earth, can it be
Can it be
Imagine Peace on Earth Lens
-
Imagine Peace & Love Gifts for Mom, Dad, Kids and More
-
Looking for a special gift for your Mom, Mother or Mum? How about one for your Dad, Father or Daddy? Why not choose one that spreads the message of peace and love? Inspired by Imagine Peace and Valentine's Day, the Imagine Peace - Imagine Love Store...
-
Imagine Peace Group and Cafe Press Gift Items
-
Imagine all the people, living life in peace. These words of peace and hope were penned by John Lennon more than 30 years ago. The Imagine Peace Group and Related Imagine Peace Products, featured in the Imagine Peace Now store, carries on the legac...
Imagine Peace on Earth T-shirts from CafePress
Other Squidoo Lenses on Bing Crosby
-
Bing_Crosby
-
Singer, Dancer, Actor. Blessed with and amazing bariton voice that could melt female hearts everywhere.
-
Bing Crosby
-
Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby Born on May 3, 1903, was an American popular singer and actor whose career lasted until his death on October 14, 1977. Background information Birth name: Harry Lillis Crosby Born: May 3, 1903(1903-05-03) Taco...
David Bowie and Bing Crosby - Peace on Earth
On YouTube
"Little Drummer Boy", David Bowie and Bing Crosby
Christmas carol sung by David Bowie and Bing Crosby.
Runtime: 4:22
526326 views
10 Comments:
Imagine All the People Living Live in Peace Lens
-
Imagine - Remembering John Lennon 1940 - 1980
-
John Lennon's anthem of peace and hope has been one of my favorite songs since college. This is a collection of many different versions of one of the greatest songs of peace of all times "Imagine." News of his sudden death in 1980 came during finals...
Imagine Peace on Earth from CafePress
The Latest in the Blogosphere about Peace on Earth / Little Drummer Boy
- Peace On Earth - Little Drummer Boy
- David: hello...... you're the new butler? Bing: hahaha! well, it's been a long time since i've.
- Peace on Earth Little Drummer Boy
- I've always liked the XMas number so thought I'd have a crack at a version. All the instrument sounds are made on a Roland JV1080 with Orchestral expansion board apart from the bass guitar. Vocals are a bit dodgy in places but I had a ...
- David Bowie - Peace On Earth / Little Drummer Boy - UK - 7" vinyl ...
- DAVID BOWIE & BING CROSBY Peace On Earth (1977 UK promotional MONO vinyl 7" also featuring the version from the Christmas Special with introduction dialogue, custom picture sleeve BOW12(PRO)) - £18.00 - Back In Stock - Arrived ...
- Peter Kater - For Christmas (1987)
- 4. The Christmas Song 5. Have Yourself A Very Merry Christmas 6. Let There Be Peace On Earth 7. What Child Is This? 8. Carol Of The Drum (Little Drummer Boy) 9. Deck The Halls 10. White Christmas 11. Hark The Herald Angels Sing ...
Squidoo Lenses on Favorite Christmas Songs
Peace on Earth / The Little Drummer Boy is included within both of these lenses.-
Best of the 80's Christmas Music
-
My love for 80's music doesn't stop at Christmas time. Take a look at my favorite collection of 80's Christmas music, including selections from pop 80's Christmas music, 80's New Wave Christmas music, Christmas music from the 80's, and Christmas music...
-
babyfang's favorite christmas songs
-
It's supposed to be a short list. I had a very hard time narrowing it down to ten. There's still plenty of time for me to explode this list to overwhelming proportions. I'm not that big on decorating. I can take or leave that part of the season. But...
Blog Posts about the Little Drummer Boy / Peace on Earth
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byPeace on Earth...
Can it be?
A Featured Lens on the International Day of Peace
-
International Day of Peace - September 21, 2008
-
Since 1981 the United Nations and people around the world have celebrated the International Day of Peace. This holiday was established for "commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace within and among all nations and people." Since 2001 Sept...
Reader Feedback on Peace on Earth / The Little Drummer Boy
You place for comments, feedback, praise and stories.
What do you think?
|
Rokusan
This is one of my favorite Christmas songs, as well. Great lens! I've added it in my discovery tool today as I work on building my own lens about Christmas. Well done here! Posted June 28, 2008 |
|
Roving_Band
Hard to believe the song was recorded so long ago - it is still a holiday favorite! It's great to be in the "Best Christmas Ever Group" with you! Posted March 12, 2008 |
|
rms
Thank you for adding this fantastic lens to the Best Christmas Ever group! Posted December 03, 2007 |
|
porter246
Come they told me Posted November 17, 2007 |
|
|
rms
You know I love David Bowie and this is my absolute favorite Christmas song. I've lensrolled and featured this on my David Bowie Squidwho lens. Posted September 25, 2007 |
Peace on Earth is a Featured Lens in the Imagine Peace Group
-
Imagine Peace Headquarters
-
Imagine Peace Group Imagine all the people, living life in peace. These words of peace and hope were penned by John Lennon more than 30 years ago. The Imagine Peace group assembles the peace keepers, peace makers and people for peace...your fri...
