Have a Holly Jolly Christmas is a Christmas album by American folk singer Burl Ives, first released by Decca Records in October 1965 (recorded in 1964). It peaked at #32 on Billboard'''s Best Bets For Christmas album chart on December 2, 1967."Billboard Best Bets For Christmas." Billboard, vol. 79, no. 48, December 2, 1967, p. 8. worldradiohistory.com.
Ives had recorded two of the songs on the album ("A Holly Jolly Christmas" and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer") previously for the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer soundtrack, but he recorded new versions for Have a Holly Jolly Christmas''. "A Holly Jolly Christmas" in particular had a significantly different and slower arrangement, which is more commonly heard today. This version had already been released as a single the previous year, with a B-side of "Snow for Johnny", which he also featured on the album.Decca Records #31695, A-side of "A Holly Jolly Christmas", with a B-side of "Snow for Johnny"
Track listing
Personnel Burl Ives – lead vocals Owen Bradley – director of chorus and orchestra
Charts + Chart performance for Have a Holly Jolly Christmas Chart (2019–2023) Peakposition Lithuanian Albums (AGATA) 27 Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) 47
References Decca DL 4689 (mono), DL 74689 (stereo), 1965 vinyl LP release MCA 15002 (1977 LP re-issue) at discogs.com MCAD 25992 (1995 CD re-issue) at discogs.com