Elvis Presley – Elvis Sings The Wonderful World of Christmas (1971)
Studio Album • Released: October 20, 1971 • RCA Victor • Producer: Felton Jarvis
Elvis Sings The Wonderful World of Christmas is the fifteenth studio album and second full Christmas record by American music legend Elvis Presley. Released in autumn 1971, it was his first collection of new holiday recordings since his iconic Elvis’ Christmas Album from 1957 and has since become a seasonal favorite.
📀 Original Tracklist (1971 LP)
Side A
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O Come, All Ye Faithful – 2:49
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The First Noel – 2:10
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On a Snowy Christmas Night – 2:51
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Winter Wonderland – 2:20
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The Wonderful World of Christmas – 2:00
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It Won’t Seem Like Christmas (Without You) – 2:44
Side B
7. I’ll Be Home on Christmas Day – 3:51
8. If I Get Home on Christmas Day – 2:55
9. Holly Leaves and Christmas Trees – 2:15
10. Merry Christmas Baby – 5:46
11. Silver Bells – 2:30
(Some reissues and later CD releases include additional bonus tracks — notably “Blue Christmas” recorded live in 1968.)
👩🎤 Album Credits
Artist: Elvis Presley
Producer: Felton Jarvis
Label: RCA Victor (LSP‑4579)
Recorded: May–June 1971 (main sessions) & various overdub sessions; some later versions include a live 1968 track
Studio: RCA Studio B, Nashville, Tennessee
Genre: Christmas · Pop · Rock and Roll
Personnel Highlights
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Elvis Presley – lead vocals
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James Burton – lead guitar
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Chip Young – rhythm guitar
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Norbert Putnam – bass
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David Briggs – piano
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Kenneth Buttrey & Jerry Carrigan – drums
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Charlie McCoy – organ & harmonica
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Glen Spreen – organ
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The Imperials, Millie Kirkham – backing vocals
🖼️ Cover Art & Design
The cover art for Elvis Sings The Wonderful World of Christmas features a classic festive winter design with holiday imagery and bold typography — a visual departure from Elvis’s standard rock records and fitting for a seasonal release. The layout emphasizes classic seasonal symbolism to appeal to both pop and traditional Christmas music audiences.
📈 Chart Performance & Certifications
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Billboard Holiday Albums: #1 (the album topped the seasonal chart even though holiday LPs weren’t eligible for the main Billboard 200 from 1963–1973)
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RIAA Certifications:
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Gold – November 4, 1977
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Platinum – December 1, 1977
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2× Platinum – May 20, 1988
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3× Platinum – July 15, 1999
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Over the decades, Elvis Sings The Wonderful World of Christmas has sold millions of copies worldwide and grown into a holiday staple.
⭐ Ratings & Reception
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Critic Score: ~70/100 (AlbumOfTheYear.org)
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User Score: ~63/100 (AlbumOfTheYear.org)
While not as universally acclaimed as Elvis’s first Christmas album, the record is widely appreciated for its warm seasonal tone, Elvis’s expressive vocal performances, and timeless holiday arrangements.
🎵 Popular Tracks & Singles
✔ Merry Christmas Baby – A bluesy, soulful standout that has become a perennial favorite.
✔ O Come, All Ye Faithful – Classic carol with Elvis’s rich baritone.
✔ I’ll Be Home on Christmas Day – Nostalgic ballad about returning for the holidays.
✔ Winter Wonderland – Festive standard given Elvis’s warm touch.
✔ Silver Bells – Holiday classic delivered with sincerity.
The album’s single pairing “Merry Christmas Baby / O Come, All Ye Faithful” was released in November 1971.
🎉 Fun Facts & Trivia
🔹 This was Elvis’s second and final full Christmas album, coming 14 years after his debut holiday LP from 1957.
🔹 Many tracks on the album were controlled by Elvis Presley’s own publishing company, including “Holly Leaves and Christmas Trees” and “If I Get Home on Christmas Day.”
🔹 Because holiday albums weren’t eligible for the main Billboard Top LPs chart at the time, the album’s success wasn’t reflected there despite strong seasonal sales.
🔹 The album eventually achieved triple‑platinum status, proving its lasting popularity.
🤔 Did You Know?
🎄 The track “Merry Christmas Baby” has a long jam feel that many fans regard as one of Elvis’s bluesiest seasonal performances.
🎤 Some reissues include the classic “Blue Christmas” track from a 1968 performance — a song intimately tied to Elvis’s holiday legacy.
❄️ Over the years, fans have debated which Elvis Christmas album is superior — and while the 1957 original remains iconic, The Wonderful World of Christmas has a distinct ’70s soul and warmth that many listeners adore.
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