There are some moments in pop culture history that I wish I could have been there for to say I experienced it when it happened... and the song at #8 is one of those moments. To me it seems like it would have been so exciting to see two worlds colliding.... new school and old school.... traditional and new wave... classic and contemporary.
Bing Crosby can easily be considered the king of holiday music. He's released so many albums and singles over the years, and his voice is synonomous with the holidays. In 1977 he called on one of the most innovative, current pop artists to join him for a duet. This man was the eccentric David Bowie. It seemed like an interesting choice considering how conservative Bing's traditional audience was. Bing and David recorded this song together in September of that year and taped a clip that would air during the holiday season for Bing's next televised Christmas special. Sadly, Bing passed away just one month later. This made the Christmas special that year even more poignant.
I've always loved how simple this duet it, and how it seemlessly ties together Little Drummer Boy and Peace on Earth. When you watch the entire video through and listen to the dialogue between Bing and David at the beginning, it makes the song that much more impactful. These two different voices, from two different generations, came together to create a beautiful piece of timeless holiday music... and its one of those moments that I wish I was around for to watch it on TV when it first aired. Still, it remeains a tune that I will listen to every single year during the holiday season.
Here's #8: "Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth" by Bing Crosby and David Bowie:
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