The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)

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"The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)" is a song written by Ross Bagdasarian (a.k.a. David Seville) in 1958. Although it was written and sung by Bagdasarian (in the form of a chipmunk voice), the singing credits are given to The Chipmunks, a fictional singing group consisting of three chipmunks by the names of Alvin, Simon, and Theodore.

[edit] Plot synopsis

Over a musical intro, Seville asks the group if they're ready to sing their song and gets enthusiastic responses from all but Alvin, who is nowhere to be found. Seville calls louder and louder to get his attention, finally eliciting a frustrated Okay! from the rodent.

In this waltz, the Chipmunks plead for Christmas to arrive quickly and name the toys they hope to receive. During an instrumental break, Seville speaks quietly to the group as though he were in the recording studio directing them. He expresses approval of Simon and Theodore's vocal performances, but chides Alvin for singing flat. Again, Seville has to shout to get any response from Alvin.

As the vocals end, Seville congratulates the entire group on their performance and The Chipmunks want to sing the song again, but Seville tells them not to overdo it. The group argues with Seville until his pleadings are drowned out by the group's shouting. The song then fades out.

[edit] Chart Performance

The song was very successful, reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming The Chipmunks' first (and only) and David Seville's second and final single to do so. It also has the distinction of being the only Christmas record to reach #1 on the same chart. The single sold 4.5 million copies, according to Ross Bagdasarian, Jr.

Between 1959-1962, the single managed to re-enter the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #41, #45, and #39 in 1959, 1960, and 1962 respectively. (Starting in 1963, Billboard would list Christmas songs on a separate chart.) The song managed to chart on the Hot Digital Songs for a first time in 2005, peaking at #35 on that chart.

[edit] Trivia

• Bob Rivers parodied the song called "The Twisted Chipmunk Song." on his 2000 album "Chipmunks Roasting On An Open Fire. Melvin, Squeaky, and Thagadore (Melvin and the Gerbils) were the characters in the song.

• On December 16, 2006, the television program "Saturday Night Live" offered a live-action rendition of The Chipmunk Song featuring Justin Timberlake performing the singing role of "Dave" and SNL cast members Bill Hader (Alvin), Fred Armisen (Simon) and Andy Samberg (Theodore) performing as the Chipmunks in authentic voice and costume.

Preceded by "To Know Him is to Love Him" by Teddy Bears

Billboard Hot 100 number-one single Issue Date: December 22, 1958

Succeeded by "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" by The Platters