White Christmas — Lyrics, History & Fun Facts

White Christmas is the best-selling single of all time, a nostalgic and wistful holiday ballad dreaming of an idyllic snowy Christmas. Written by Irving Berlin and immortalized by Bing Crosby's velvety baritone, the song has sold over 50 million copies worldwide and defined the sound of Christmas for generations. Its universal themes of longing and seasonal beauty have made it the quintessential modern Christmas song.

The History of "White Christmas"

White Christmas was written by Irving Berlin, reportedly at the La Quinta Hotel in California, and first performed by Bing Crosby on his NBC radio show on Christmas Day 1941. The song was featured in the 1942 film 'Holiday Inn' and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song that year. Crosby's recording with the John Scott Trotter Orchestra became the best-selling single of all time, with estimated sales exceeding 50 million copies worldwide. Berlin, who was Jewish, wrote the song as a secular expression of the holiday spirit, and it resonated deeply with American soldiers overseas during World War II who longed for home.

Fun Facts About "White Christmas"

• It is the best-selling single of all time with over 50 million copies sold
• Bing Crosby's original 1942 recording was played so often that a new master had to be cut in 1947
• Irving Berlin reportedly told his secretary after writing it, 'I just wrote the best song I've ever written'
• The song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1942
• During the Vietnam War, it was played on Armed Forces Radio as a secret signal for the evacuation of Saigon

Movies & TV Appearances

"White Christmas" has been featured in the following movies and television specials:

• Holiday Inn
• White Christmas
• Home Alone
• The Nightmare Before Christmas

Listen to "White Christmas"

You can listen to "White Christmas" on all major streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music. Search for the original version by Bing Crosby or explore the many popular covers recorded over the years.