Donald Gardner was the second grade teacher, charged with coming up with a tune for the schools Christmas program. To draw out inspiration, he asked his students what each wanted for Christmas. It wasn’t long into their list of demands before he noticed that 16 out of the 22 kids were missing one, or two, front teeth. Inspiration struck alright, and Gardner wrote one of the most memorable, at least, holiday tunes of all time.
You’re listening to Spike Jones and His City Slickers from 1948, with George Rock on vocals. Gardner’s reaction upon first listening: “Horrible” he said. “That will never sell.” But it sold… 1.3 million copies in just seven weeks. Pretty amazing…especially considering Gardner nearly offered it up for free to a publishing house!