THE CHIPMUNK SONG (CHRISTMAS DON'T BE LATE)

'"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.

Contents

Overview

Chart Performance

Adaption in other media

Trivia

Overview

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, but the second time around, he has to shout a little softer.
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.

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.

Adaption in other media

The song has been adapted in ''The Alvin Show'' as one of its musical segments. The short depicts Alvin looking through various presents to find a hula hoop, even as he reluctantly sings along with the other Chipmunks. At the end of the song, Seville rewards Simon and Theodore with toy planes and Alvin with his hula hoop. The subsequent argument ends abruptly with their Christmas tree falling over, and Seville and the Chipmunks emerge from the mess to wish the viewers a merry Christmas.
The song was also featured in ''A Chipmunk Christmas''. A depressed Alvin sings along flatly at first (much like the 1958 original), but then leaves the studio to give away his harmonica to a sick boy. As Seville starts to resume recording the song without Alvin, Alvin returns in the nick of time to sing the song with the others.

Trivia

★ The B-Side featured on the single was 'Almost Good'. A jazz tune by David Seville.

★ 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.

★ Jonathan Coulton, as part of his "Thing A Week" series, parodied the song with "[Podsafe Christmas Song]", a tongue-in-cheeck plea for podsafe Christmas music (including the line: "Don't think us rude, we don't want to get sued / By the thugs at the RIAA...")