In this Christmas special episode of The A to Z of Wartime Song, hosts Lili Redman and Tom Carradine unwrap one of the most iconic songs of the wartime era – Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas.” They trace the remarkable life of Berlin, from his childhood as a Jewish immigrant fleeing persecution, through the bustle of Tin Pan Alley, to becoming one of America’s most prolific and patriotic songwriters. Along the way, they explore his astonishing output, his service during both world wars, and the deeply personal losses that shaped his music – including the hidden grief many believe lies at the heart of White Christmas. The episode delves into the song’s origins in the 1942 film Holiday Inn, its record-breaking success through Bing Crosby’s legendary recording, and the wave of wartime versions that followed on both sides of the Atlantic — from Carroll Gibbons and Joe Loss to Harry Roy’s surprisingly swing-infused take. With discussion of the evocative lyrics, Berlin’s deceptively simple but masterful melody, rarely sung verse and the song’s enduring emotional power for families separated by war, this festive episode reflects on why White Christmas continues to resonate – not just as a seasonal favourite, but as a song born of longing, memory and hope. SPOTIFY PLAYLIST You can listen to ALL of the songs that Tom and Lili talk about in the episode on their Spotify playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1FQDrBphYqYLAuN6Jm01PN?si=b777dc33a703408a REFERENCES Irving Berlin https://www.irvingberlin.com/ Newsies (Disney Movie Musical) https://www.newsiesthemusical.com/ Song Plugger https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Song_plugger Tin Pan Alley https://www.tinpanalley.nyc/ The Bowery https://ny.curbed.com/2017/10/4/16413696/bowery-nyc-history-lower-east-side Lower East Side Tenement Musuem https://www.tenement.org/ Vaudeville https://www.vaudeville.org/ Tony Pastor’s Music Hall, Union Square http://www.performingartsarchive.com/Theatres/Theatres-P/Pastors-14th-Street_NY/Pastors-14th-Street_NY.htm Pelham Cafe, Chinatown NYC https://infamousnewyork.com/2013/08/12/mike-salters-pelham-cafe-birthplace-of-irving-berlin/ Irving Berlin’s Transposing Piano https://thesongbook.org/about/news-media/news-release-items/songbook-foundation-to-unveil-irving-berlin-piano/ Alexander’s Ragtime Band https://www.irvingberlin.com/alexanders-ragtime-band Vernon and Irene Castle https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vernon_and_Irene_Castle Won’t You Play a Simple Melody (Bing Crosby / Dick Powell) https://youtu.be/uIZvVj3rxho Simultaneous Quodlbet https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quodlibet When I Lost You (Irving Berlin) https://youtu.be/sB5n6wnT61whttps://youtu.be/wi-zs6FggAY Irving Berlin WW1 Service https://parlorsongs.com/storefront/berlinwar-companion.php How I Hate To Get Up in the Morning (Irving Berlin) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70FVFxXpY_8&list=RD70FVFxXpY_8&start_radio=1 Putting on the Ritz – Fred Astaire https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xfphyb I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm https://youtu.be/LRmGYCwsPpM This Is The Army (1943 Film) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmUfIfqW4zs La Quinta Hotel, California https://www.laquintaresort.com/ Arizona Biltmore Hotel https://www.arizonabiltmore.com/about-us/resort-history/ Sheet Music (Grey) https://www.rubylane.com/item/2403998-2517-H-35/1942-Sheet-Music-%22White-Christmas%22 Sheet Music (Green) https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/295132116554 Sheet Music (Movie Song Cover – with War Bonds Advert) https://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=32283821141&dest=gbr&ref_=ps_ggl_2038407968_77546262132&cm_mmc=ggl-_-UK_Shopp_RareStandard-_-product_id=bi%3A%2032283821141-_-keyword=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=2038407968&gbraid=0AAAAAD3Y6gvtpaPdSSRKHCwkpu5dJ3CuI&gclid=Cj0KCQiAi9rJBhCYARIsALyPDttAFWGd3nniAERuxb4ptoFqmmlcKTHzpJcjqdLRfKL2fht4vA2MnYwaAh3ZEALw_wcB#&gid=1&pid=1 Sheet Music (1950s) https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/157388257327?chn=ps&_ul=GB&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=157388257327&targetid=2446966182456&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9215318&poi=&campaignid=21697381820&mkgroupid=188145534956&rlsatarget=pla-2446966182456&abcId=10027101&merchantid=562961780&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21697381820&gbraid=0AAAAAD_Lr1eIBEEA2sgHw9G4sJTtgCMVk&gclid=Cj0KCQiAi9rJBhCYARIsALyPDtuplVqdTKX1FbhPM3I9oCj475RCHouu5Z8X33k44Ki3uFeddGiG_4EaAiScEALw_wcB White Christmas – Original Version https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQyy8SpDpTY&list=RDQQyy8SpDpTY&start_radio=1 White Christmas – Carroll Gibbons and His Savoy Orpheans (Vocals by Edna Kaye) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GW66dHCSmec White Christmas – Frank Sinatra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IFxGllw2Vs&list=RD-IFxGllw2Vs&start_radio=1 CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 00:52 Catch Up 03:22 Christmas Special = White Christmas 04:42 Irving Berlin 20:37 The Origins of White Christmas 23:08 Discussing the Sheet Music Cover 24:59 Discussing the Lyrics 29:13 Discussing the Music 32:33 Discussing Versions: Bing Crosby 34:24 Charlie Spivak 35:48 Freddie Martin and His Orchestra 36:27 Carroll Gibbons and His Savoy Hotel Orpheans 39:21 Joe Loss and His Orchestra 40:34 Frank Sinatra 41:46 Harry Roy and His Mayfair Hotel Orchestra 42:45 What’s Our Favourite? 43:57 If You Liked That You’ll Like This 44:19 Christmas Bells at Eventide – Gracie Fields 44:59 Santa Clause Came in the Springtime – Benny Goodman 45:13 I’ll Be Home For Christmas – Bing Crosby 46:17 I’m Sending a Letter to Santa Claus – Arthur Askey 47:07 The Fairy on the Christmas Tree – Gracie Fields 47:28 Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – Judy Garland 49:17 Teaser for Next Season 50:40 Outro SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS You can follow the podcast on social media: http://instagram.com/warsongspod https://www.facebook.com/warsongspod Find more information about Lili Redman here: https://liliredman.com/https://www.instagram.com/lili__redman/ https://www.facebook.com/ScalaLil Or Tom Carradine here: https://www.tomcarradine.com/https://www.instagram.com/tomcarradine https://www.facebook.com/mrtomcarradine CONTACT THE PODCAST If there’s a wartime song that you think they should discuss, or if you have a personal or family story connected to one, drop them a line at [email protected] to be “Mentioned in Dispatches”. LISTENING LINKS Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7ktQ4nyudmPRLcCNyNxEfv?si=ac9e1babe6834f2b Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-a-to-z-of-wartime-song/id1806037318 If you’ve enjoyed this episode Lili and Tom would be grateful if you’d leave a review and make sure you’ve subscribed and turned on notifications so you’ll never miss an episode.