Singing
David Bowie And Bing Crosby Sing Wonderful Christmas Duet
This is one of my favorite Christmas duets of all time.
Eduardo Gaskell
12.07.20

There’s just something really charming about older songs and videos. It could be the timelessness of the song, the artists, or even Christmas itself. Either way, this one’s a yuletide treat!

It’s David Bowie and Bing Crosby singing “The little drummer boy (Peace on earth)“. So that’s two legends from different genres singing a classic carol for the holidays.

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It’s a lovely video.

This was part of “Bing Crosby’s Merrie Olde Christmas”. It’s a narrative film wherein Bing Crosby spends Christmas in England after a distant relative by the name of Sir Percival Crosby invites him and his family over for Christmas. It’s all about family!

Unfortunately, Bing passed away before it could be released so he never got to see it. Which means that this little act is pretty special.

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Knock knock, Mr. Crosby!

Bing opens the door and there in the Christmas cold stands a young David Bowie. The exchange is light but memorable.

Bowie- “Hello, are you the new butler?”

Bing- “It’s been a long time since I’ve been the new anything.”

Bowie- “Are you related to Sir Percival?

Bing- “Well distantly.”

Bowie- “Oh you’re not the poor relation from America?”

Bing- “Gee news sure travels fast doesn’t it? I’m Bing.”

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Crosby is a gentleman and doesn’t take offense at Bowie’s cheeky remark.

Bowie- “You’re the one who sings, right?”

Bing- “Well, right or wrong, I sing either way.”

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It’s the kind of conversation you no longer hear nowadays. It’s classic gentlemanly banter. The chat turns to Christmas and David mentions to Bing how his six year old son loves Christmas.

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Mr. Crosby asks if the Bowies observe and follow the traditions associated with Christmas.

Bowie answers,

“Oh yeah most of them really, presents, tree, decorations, agents sliding down the chimney.”

Bing’s reaction is classic, eliciting a response from David.

“I was just seeing if you’re paying attention.”

It’s a really witty exchange!

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But then they start singing. And oh, those voices. See, David and Bing are from opposite ends of the industry. If you lived during that era, you would know why. So to see them come together and sing was a real surprise. Don’t forget this was 1977.

Listen!

“Come they told me
Pa rum pum pum pum

A new born king to see
Pa rum pum pum pum

Our finest gifts we bring
Pa rum pum pum pum
To lay before the king
Pa rum pum pum pum,”
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Bowie’s impromptu ad-libs while Crosby sings may very well get those presents sliding down that chimney!
This video is such a classic that Will Ferrel and John C. Reilly did their own version of it, matching each scene perfectly. From the clothes to the dialogue and singing, it became more of a homage than a parody.
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Bing and David’s Christmas video was initially released on November 30, 1977. Crosby passed of a heart attack on October 14, 1977 while hanging out with his buddies on a golf course. David Bowie passed away two days after his 69th birthday on January 10, 2016.
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Gone but never forgotten. And to this day, they entertain viewers around the world with this merry old video. These gentlemen are as timeless and as beautiful as Christmas.

Listen to the croon and tune of these two in the video below!

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