We Need A Little Christmas

1966

Angela Lansbury

The interesting thing about the two Yuletide tunes I'm covering today is that neither of 'em have been around as long as a lot of 0people think they have...and that one of 'em wasn't actually written as primarily as a Christmas song.

The first one's 'We Need A Little Christmas'. Seems back in 1955 a musical based on a novel named 'Auntie Mame' opened off-Broadway. It spawned a couple of more novels, a critically acclaimed film,...and in 1966 a Broadway play. Hint...they shortened the title of the Broadway production by one word, and the word they kept wasn't 'Auntie'.

That's right...the Musical was a little production called 'Mame', which, as anyone with an interest in Broadway may remember, met with some small success. If 'Megahit' can be called 'Small Success'.

It starred Angela Lansbury (Best known for her starring role in 'Murder She Wrote) and a lady named Beatrice Arthur (We know her better as Bea Arthur and loved her as 'Maude' in the sitcom of that name, and even more so as 'Dorothy' in The Golden Girls') and featured music by Jerry Herman. One of the songs was a little tune called 'We Need A Little Christmas', sung originally by Angela Lansbury.

That's right, 'Murder She Wrote's Jessica Fletcher can carry a tune. She had also been acting for almost 40 years before she snagged the television role she's best known. As for her roles on Broadway...she's won five (Count 'em) five Tony Awards.

The play was set in the depression and just after and followed the adventures of the wealthy and eccentric titular character as she raised her young nephew. The song came about when Mame decided that her nephew and a couple of their servants 'Needed A Little Christmas...Right That Very Minute.

And the little Christmas tune she sang...it's been covered by a diverse collection of artists, and has become a Christmas Radio staple. You're gonna hear it, most likely Percy Faith's cover of it and probably daily...until the Holidays wind down for another year. And for years to come!

So enjoy, Angela Lansbury and the original version of 'We Need A Little Christmas'

Percy Faith's cover of 'We Need A Little Christmas' is hands down everyone's favorite version of the song, and the one that you're most likely to hear on the radio over Christmas. This version just puts those visions of sugarplums in your head big-time!

The cast of Glee also covered 'We Need A Little Christmas, and did their usual awesome job with it!

And what of Mame/Jessica Fletcher herself? Angela Lansbury's still going strong, and set to star in 'Blythe Spirit' in London for a 15 week engagement in early 2014.