Christmas music is a huge part of our holiday tradition - from traditional carols to contemporary compositions and pop classics. Throw in some pretty cool novelty songs and we end up with quite a variety of Christmas music to take us through the holiday season.

Of course, nobody knows when a song is recorded and released how it's going to fare with audiences. Only the passage of time dictates what endures, and which songs fade away.

Here's a look at five classic novelty Christmas songs that have stood the test of time and may bring back some treasured memories.

 

  • 1

    GRANDMA GOT RUN OVER BY A REINDEER

    Elmo & Patsy

    "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer" is both one of the most liked and disliked Christmas songs we hear during the holiday season. Released in 1979, it hasn't been around all that long, but long enough to become a Christmas classic. People who take the song literally and seriously are offended by its morbid overtones, while others are able to enjoy it for what it is - a light-hearted, humorous adventure into fantasy land.

  • 2

    YOU'RE A MEAN ONE MR. GRINCH

    Thurl Ravenscroft

    This Christmas classic was composed for the 1966 cartoon TV special "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." Many people assume that Boris Karloff, who narrated the TV special and assumed the voice of the Grinch, is the singer of this song. But, the singer is actually Thurl Ravenscroft, who is perhaps best known as the voice of Tony the Tiger on Kellogg's Frosted Flakes.

  • 3

    I WANT A HIPPOPOTAMUS FOR CHRISTMAS

    Gayla Peevey

    "I Want a Hippopotamus For Christmas" was recorded by 10  year-old Gayla Peevey in 1953 and peaked at #24 on Billboard's pop chart. Peevey later recorded as Jamie Horton, and scored a top 100  hit with" My Little Marine" in 1960. You can learn more about Gayla on her official website.

  • 4

    NUTTIN' FOR CHRISTMAS

    Barry Gordon

    Barry Gordon was just nine years old when he recorded "Nuttin' For Christmas" in 1955. The song actually appeared on the Billboard pop chart by five different artists, but Gordon's was the highest charting, peaking at #6. Gordon, now age 67, was the longest serving president of the Screen Actor's Guild, serving from 1988-1995. Check out young Barry's guest appearance on the Jack Benny Show.

  • 5

    MY TWO FRONT TEETH

    Spike Jones & His City Slickers

    "My Two Front Teeth" was written  in 1944 and Spike Jones and His City Slickers took it to the top of the pop charts in 1948 and 1949.(Lead vocal by George Rock) It has been covered dozens and dozens of times, but none better that David Seville and the Chipmunks.

  • 6

    THE CHIPMUNK SONG - CHRISTMAS DON'T BE LATE

    David Seville and the Chipmunks

    "The Chipmunk Song" was a smash hit on the Billboard Charts reaching #1 in 1958 and sold 4.5 million copies in just seven weeks. Ironically, before finding success, the song was featured on American Bandstand and received the lowest rating possible. Now, it's a Christmas classic, and how many of us had/have this song on Chipmunk vinyl?

More From Kool 107.9