Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

"Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!", also known as simply "Let It Snow", is a song written by lyricist Sammy Cahn and composer Jule Styne in July 1945 in Hollywood, California, during a heatwave as Cahn and Styne imagined cooler conditions. The song was first recorded that fall by Vaughn Monroe, was released just after Thanksgiving, and became a hit by Christmas.

Other U.S. recordings during the 1945-46 winter season included those by Danny O'Neil (Majestic), Connee Boswell (Decca), Woody Herman (Columbia), and Bob Crosby (ARA).

The song makes no mention of any holiday. The lyrics include spending time with a loved one during a snowstorm, enjoying a fireplace and popcorn. When the singer has to leave, feelings of love will keep him warm once he is outside in the cold. The song has come to be regarded as a Christmas song worldwide due to its winter theme, and is often played on radio stations during the Christmas and holiday season. It has been covered by multiple artists on Christmas-themed albums.

Vaughn Monroe version

In the U.S., the Monroe record charted higher—by several of ''Billboard'' magazine's measures—than has any successor. For 15 weeks, through 30 March 1946, it appeared in its "Honor Roll of Hits: The Nation’s Top 15 Tunes." In the "Songs with Greatest Radio Audiences" category, it was listed for 16 weeks (again through 30 March 1946). Of ''Billboard''s "Top 15 Most Played on the Air," the Monroe recording charted for 13 weeks—five of them at #1 in January–February 1946. In ''Billboard''s "Best Selling Popular Retail Records" tabulation, it spent 13 weeks in the top ten (three weeks as #1). Sheet music sales were similarly high during this period, spending 10 weeks in ''Billboard''s top ten through 23 March 1946.

Frank Sinatra version

American singer Frank Sinatra released a version as a single in 1950 that featured The B. Swanson Quartet.

Certifications

Dean Martin version

American singer Dean Martin released a version of the song in 1959, as part of his album '' A Winter Romance'', and a re-recorded version in 1966, as part of '' The Dean Martin Christmas Album''. The song entered the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 for the first time in 2018 and every year since, peaking at number 8 through 2023, with a total of 29 weeks in the Top 100.

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Jessica Simpson version

American singer Jessica Simpson released a version of the song in 2004, as part of her album '' Rejoyce: The Christmas Album''. Her version was produced by Billy Mann and reached Number 20 on the ''Billboard'' Adult Contemporary chart.

Other charting recordings

Glee Cast version

Michael Bublé version

Pentatonix version

Other notable versions

Widely heard recordings of the song include:
* 1945 (first recording) – Vaughn Monroe for RCA Victor, which became a popular hit, reaching No. 1 on the ''Billboard'' "Best Sellers" music chart for five weeks from late December into early 1946. Vaughn later re-recorded the song in stereo for his 1958 RCA Victor album ''There I Sing/Swing It Again'', and once again for his 1962 Dot Records album ''His Greatest Hits''.
* 1946 – Woody Herman for Columbia Records, which reached No. 8 on the ''Billboard'' chart. Other 1946 versions were recorded by Connee Boswell for Decca Records and Bob Crosby for ARA Records.
* 1962 – Bing Crosby, on his album '' I Wish You a Merry Christmas''.
* 2005 – Carly Simon, on a CD single. It peaked at No. 6 on the ''Billboard'' Adult Contemporary chart.
* 2012 – Rod Stewart, on his album '' Merry Christmas, Baby''. Stewart's version reached No. 1 on ''Billboard''s Adult Contemporary chart in December 2012 and remained there for a total of five weeks, tying it for the longest leading rendition of a holiday title in the history of the chart.
* 2019 – Doris Day recorded the song for her Christmas album on '' The Doris Day Christmas Album'' in 1964. Her version is unusual as she sings as the host in a seductive tone; all in a slow tempo, with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra remixing the version in 2019.

See also

* List of ''Billboard'' Adult Contemporary number ones of 2012
* List of ''Billboard'' Adult Contemporary number ones of 2021

References

{{authority control

1945 songs
1946 singles
1993 singles
2004 singles
American Christmas songs
Pop standards
Songs about weather
Songs with lyrics by Sammy Cahn
Songs with music by Jule Styne
Vaughn Monroe songs
Dean Martin songs
Rod Stewart songs
Winter in culture
Bing Crosby songs
Frank Sinatra songs
Carly Simon songs
Columbia Records singles
Capitol Records singles