Among the many legendary performers we've lost over the years, David Bowie stands out as truly unique and unforgettable. While we mourn his passing, one of his most unexpected collaborations serves as a wonderful preservation of his artistic versatility: his famous Christmas duet with Bing Crosby.
On September 11, 1977, Bowie and Crosby came together to record "Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy" for Crosby's television special, "Bing Crosby's Merrie Olde Christmas." The "Peace on Earth" portion was specially written to complement the traditional "Little Drummer Boy" (1941) to accommodate Bowie, who had initially expressed reluctance to sing the original song alone.
The segment begins with a gentle dialogue between the two artists discussing their holiday traditions before they launch into their memorable duet. What makes this recording particularly poignant is its timing - Bing Crosby passed away just a month later, on October 14, 1977, making this one of his final performances. The special aired posthumously on CBS on November 30, 1977.
For Bowie, this appearance represented a deliberate attempt to broaden his mainstream appeal during a transitional period in his career. The collaboration, which might have seemed unlikely given the artists' contrasting styles and generations, produced an enduring holiday classic that continues to capture the imagination of audiences decades later.
This remarkable duet stands as a testament to both performers' abilities to transcend musical boundaries and creates a touching reminder of their lasting contributions to music.
— Duncan Jones (@ManMadeMoon) December 6, 2020
If you enjoyed Bing Crosby's heartwarming duet with David Bowie on "Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy," you might also appreciate another iconic holiday performance: Bing Crosby's rendition of "White Christmas" from the 1942 film "Holiday Inn."
Irving Berlin's "White Christmas," as performed by Bing Crosby in this black-and-white Paramount Pictures release, represents a pivotal moment in both musical and cinema history. The song's debut in this film would launch it into becoming the best-selling single of all time.
In "Holiday Inn," Crosby plays Jim Hardy, a performer who transforms his Connecticut farmhouse into an inn that's only open on holidays. The film presents "White Christmas" during its holiday sequence, with Crosby's rich baritone delivering Berlin's nostalgic lyrics in his characteristically relaxed style. What makes this performance particularly special is its simplicity – Crosby, accompanied by gentle piano, creates an intimate atmosphere that perfectly captures the song's wistful yearning for traditional holiday scenes.
The scene's impact was immediate and lasting. While the film features several other memorable musical numbers, "White Christmas" struck a particularly deep chord with audiences, especially American servicemen stationed overseas during World War II. Crosby would later perform the song in another holiday classic, 1954's "White Christmas," but this original screen version holds a special place in entertainment history.
The success of this performance led to Crosby's recording becoming the best-selling single for decades, with sales exceeding 50 million copies worldwide. The song earned Irving Berlin the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1942, and it became so associated with Crosby that he recorded it multiple times throughout his career.
This singular performance in "Holiday Inn" demonstrates how the right song, performed by the right artist at the right moment, can transcend its original context to become a permanent part of American cultural heritage.
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