For this special holiday episode of Let’s Face The Music, we discover the origin of the happiest sad Christmas song. First introduced by Judy Garland, the song was recorded three times by Frank Sinatra – most shockingly for a war film, soundtracking a brutal execution scene. Sources: Chris Willman, “The history of a popular holiday song,” January 8, 2007 Seamus Sweeney, “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas: The Execution Scene from The Victors,” December 20, 2018 Audio Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane, Fresh Air, NPR 1989 Hugh Martin, Fresh Air, NPR 2006 Judy Garland Lux Radio Theater, December 2, 1946 Judy Garland The Judy Garland Show, December 22, 1963 Frank Sinatra “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” 1949 Frank Sinatra “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” 1957 Frank Sinatra “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” 1963 Dave Brubeck “The Trolley Song,” 1955 Percy Faith, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” 1966 Theme Songs “Let”s Face The Music And Dance,” Ella Fitzgerald, 1958 “Let”s Face The Music And Dance,” Nelson Riddle, 1966
