Home For the Holidays

The Perry Como song my Dad is haunting me with

So growing up, Christmas was synonymous with Perry Como. Both my parents adored him. My dad’s prized possession was a program signed by him when they went to see him in concert a few years after I was born. We’d watch Perry’s annual Christmas special. His Christmas albums would be on my Mom’s regular Christmas rotation.

This year, Perry is popping up all the time. I can just be walking by a radio, or be in a store, and hear his distinctive dulcet tones. And this song has been the one that has been most frequent.

Dad saying hi from the other side

Perry’s version is the best known one, maybe because he recorded it twice! First in 1954, then in stereo in 1959. Both times he was accompanied by Mitchell Ayres' Orchestra and the Ray Charles Singers, however the arrangements are different.

The 1954 version was arranged by Joe Reisman and Loretta Lynn. It was released again the following year with a different B-side. The 1959 version is in stereo and with a different musical arrangement by Joe Lipman. This version actually appeared on an album, Season's Greetings from Perry Como. This was the album my Mom played almost every day during the season.

Listening to Perry has been so emotional but how can I not share something that’s such an integral part of my life? Enjoy your song of the day!