"The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)" is a novelty Christmas song written by Ross Bagdasarian Sr. (a.k.a. David Seville) in 1958. Bagdasarian sang and recorded the song, varying the tape speeds to produce high-pitched "chipmunk" voices, but the recording credits the vocals to The Chipmunks, Bagdasarian's fictitious singing group of chipmunks named Alvin, Simon, and Theodore. The song won three Grammy Awards in 1958, for Best Comedy Performance, Best Children's Recording, and Best Engineered Record (non-classical).
In the recording, Dave asks the Chipmunks if they are ready to sing. Simon and Theodore immediately answer "Okay", but Alvin hesitates, causing Dave to yell "ALVIN!!!", to which Alvin responds emphatically, "Okay!"
In the vocal performance, the Chipmunks sing about the presents they want for Christmas; Alvin wants a hula hoop. An instrumental interlude follows, which repeats the musical accompaniment to the Chipmunks' singing. Near the end of the interlude, Dave tells the Chipmunks to get ready to sing again, compliments Simon and Theodore for singing well, and scolds Alvin for singing a little flat. Alvin again hesitates to respond, so Dave yells at him again, and Alvin again answers, "Okay!"
The Chipmunks reprise the last four lines of the vocal, followed by another instrumental performance of the music. At the end, Dave compliments the Chipmunks for their performance. However, the Chipmunks want to sing the song again. Dave tells them not to overdo it. The Chipmunks and Dave argue as the instrumental music fades out.
The song is sung to an accelerated version of the tune "Around the World" (Oct 1956), released just two years earlier.
The song was very successful, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Pop Singles chart, becoming The Chipmunks' first (and only), as well as David Seville's second and final, No. 1 single. It has the distinction of being the only Christmas record to reach No. 1 on the same chart. The single sold 4.5 million copies in seven weeks, according to Ross Bagdasarian, Jr. Before the song's success, "The Chipmunk Song" was featured on American Bandstand's "Rate-A-Record" segment and received the lowest possible rating of 35 across the board.
Between 1958 and 1962, the single managed to re-enter the Hot 100, peaking at No. 41 in 1958, No. 45 in 1960, and No. 39 in 1962. (Starting in 1963, Billboard would list recurrent Christmas songs on a separate chart.) The song managed to chart on the Hot Digital Songs for the first time in 2005, peaking at No. 35 on that chart.
"The Chipmunk Song" is the last Christmas/holiday song to reach No. 1 on any US singles record chart totaling performance of all available records.
With the release and popularity of the film Alvin and the Chipmunks in December 2007, "The Chipmunk Song" re-entered the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 70. At the same time, a remixed version of the song that appears on the Chipmunks' 2007 album (and soundtrack to the film) Alvin and the Chipmunks: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, peaked at No. 66 and was credited as "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late) (2007 Version)".
As of December 25, 2011, Nielsen SoundScan estimated total sales of two versions of the digital track by The Chipmunks at 867,000 downloads, placing it third on the list of all-time best-selling Christmas/holiday digital singles in SoundScan history (behind Mariah Carey's 1994 hit single "All I Want for Christmas Is You" and Trans-Siberian Orchestra's 1996 track "Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24").
Dave: Alright Chipmunks, ready to sing the new version of your song?
Simon: You know we are, yeah, lets sing it now!
Dave: Alright Simon?
Simon: Alright
Dave: Alright Theodore?
Theodore: Alright
Dave: Alright Alvin?...Alvin?...ALVIN!
Alvin: Oh Yeah!
Christmas, Christmas time is near,
Time for toys and time for cheer.
We've been good, but we can't last,
Hurry Christmas, Hurry fast.
Want a plane that loops the loop,
Me, I want a Hula-Hoop.
We can hardly stand the wait,
Please Christmas don't be late.
Hey, Hey, ohhh come on!
(Guitar Solo)
Dave: Guys that was excellent
Simon great work
Simon: Naturally!
Dave: Theodore good job
Theodore: He He He He
Dave: Alvin, you were a little flat
watch it, Alvin... Alvin?...ALVIN!
Alvin: 2, 3, 4!
Christmas, Christmas time is near,
Time for toys and time for cheer.
We've been good, but we can't last,
Hurry Christmas, Hurry fast.
Want a plane that loops the loop,
I still wanting a Hula-Hoop.
We can hardly stand the wait,
Please Christmas don't be late.
We can hardly stand the wait,
Please Christmas don't be late.
Don't be late ...
CHRISTMAS DON'T BE LATE!
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