Wonderland Burlesque's The Twelve Days Before Xmas - Day Eight: The Mistletoe Kiss Polka - Margaret Whiting

Wonderland Burlesque's

The Twelve Days Before Xmas

Day Eight:

The Mistletoe Kiss Polka - Margaret Whiting

Who doesn't love a little holiday romance? Meet me under the mistletoe!

Today's song is sung by a performer whose own love story melts my heart - the lovely, ever-classy Margaret Whiting.

You see, when Margaret Whiting was 70 years-old, she married the love of her life - 48 year-old former gay porn star Jack Wrangler. They made quite the couple. Together as a couple throughout the 1970's and 80's, they made it official in 1994. One would like to believe that during the holidays they spent plenty of time doing The Mistletoe Kiss Polka!

The Mistletoe Kiss Polka - Margaret Whiting

The Mistletoe Kiss Polka, written by Jimmy Kennedy and Constance Palmer is a 1949 song by Margaret Whiting with The Mellomen and Frank De Vol and His Orchestra. Recorded in Los Angeles September 2, 1949, it was released by Capitol Records as the B-side of a one-off single, 57-9033.

Jack Wrangler and Margaret Whiting

Day eight! Only four more, my dears.

Wonderland Burlesque's The Twelve Days Before Xmas - Day Seven: Swingin' Them Jingle Bells - Fats Waller

Wonderland Burlesque's

The Twelve Days Before Xmas

Day Seven:

Swingin' Them Jingle Bells - Fats Waller 

What would Xmas be without a big-bellied man singing about those jingling bells?

Oh, we're not talking about Santa, but the mighty Fats Waller!

Swingin' Them Jingle Bells - "Fats" Waller 

Recorded in Chicago on November 29, 1936 and originally issued as 78rpm:Victor 25483-B, Swingin’ Them Jingle Bells was written by John Hancock, performed by “Fats” Waller and his Rhythm and features the lively vocals of “Fats” Waller, himself. It would subsequently be reissued as an A-side several times. 

"Fats" Waller

Five days, my dears. Get ready!

Wonderland Burlesque's The Twelve Days Before Xmas - Day Six: Department Store Santa Claus - Howard Morris

Wonderland Burlesque's

The Twelve Days Before Xmas

Day Six:

Department Store Santa Claus - Howard Morris

Nothing says Xmas like a bawling brat squirming on Santa's lap at the local department store, to say nothing of all the fantastical requests old Kris Kringle gets whispered into his ear year after year.  Well, here's a little novelty record that sought to capture all the excitement of what it was like to be a... Department Store Santa Claus!

Department Store Santa Claus - Howard Morris

 (Before & After Xmas)

Department Store Santa Claus is a Christmas novelty record in two parts (Before Xmas and After Xmas) by the comic actor, director, and voice over artist. Howard Morris He was best known for his role on The Andy Griffith Show as Ernest T. Bass, and as Uncle Goopy on Sid Caesar's  celebrated comedy sketch show Your Show of Shows (1954). Released on Roulette Records as single R-4309 in 1960, it failed to chart, but remains fondly remembered by many. 

Howard Morris

We're have way there, folks. Only six more to go!

Wonderland Burlesque's The Twelve Days Before Xmas - Day Five: Jing a Ling, Jing a Ling - The Andrew Sisters

Wonderland Burlesque's

The Twelve Days Before Xmas

 Day Five:

Jing-A-Ling, Jing-A-Ling - The Andrew Sisters

Ha, ha! Ho, ho!

Oh, my word! If you have a bit of a hangover, do not listen to this song!

It's like a barrel of chipmunks suddenly got the Xmas spirit after paying a visit to Tammy Wynette's medicine cabinet.

Yes, it's that marvelous, magical mirth, the kind only the harmonies of The Andrew Sisters could produce.

Jing-A-Ling, Jing-A-Ling - The Andrew Sisters

Jing-A-Ling, Jing-A-Ling, based on the melody from Walt Disney's Beaver Valley, was written by  by Paul J. Smith and Don Raye and sung by The Andrews Sisters with music by Vic Schoen and His Orchestra. Recorded on 9/15/1950, it was released on Decca as single L 5841 that same year.

The big day is here in only seven more days!