The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late) is a Christmas song written by Ross Bagdasarian, Sr. (a.k.a. David Seville) in 1958. Although it was written and sung by Bagdasarian (in the form of a high-pitched chipmunk voice), the singing credits are given to The Chipmunks, a fictional singing group consisting of three chipmunks by the names of Alvin, Simon, and Theodore.
The song was very successful, reaching number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Pop Singles chart, becoming The Chipmunks’ first (and only), as well as David Seville’s second and final, number 1 single. It has the distinction of being the only Christmas record to reach number 1 on the same chart.
The single sold 4.5 million copies, according to Ross Bagdasarian, Jr. Ironically, before the song’s success, The Chipmunk Song was featured on American Bandstand’s “Rate-A-Record” segment and received the lowest possible rating of 35 across the board. The song won three Grammy Awards in 1958: Best comedy performance, Best children’s recording, and Best engineered record (non-classical).
Download “Christmas Don’t Be Late” Here!
Dave: All right you Chipmunks! Ready to sing your song?
(I’ll say we are!)
(Yeah!)
(Let’s sing it now)
Dave: Okay, Simon?
(Okay)
Dave: Okay, Theodore?
(Okay)
Dave: Okay, Alvin? Alvin? ALVIN!
(OKAY!)
Christmas, Christmas time is near
Time for toys and time for cheer
We’ve been good, but we can’t last
Hurry Christmas, hurry fast
Want a plane that loops the loop
Me, I want a hula hoop
We can hardly stand the wait
Please Christmas, don’t be late.
Dave: Okay fellas get ready.
That was very good, Simon.
(Naturally)
Dave: Very good Theodore.
(Ahhh)
Dave: Ah, Alvin, you were a little flat, watch it.
Dave: Ah, Alvin. Alvin. ALVIN!
(OKAY)
Want a plane that loops the loop
I still want a hula hoop
We can hardly stand the wait
Please Christmas, don’t be late.
We can hardly stand the wait
Please Christmas, don’t be late.
Dave: Very good, boys
(Lets sing it again! Yeah, lets sing it again!)
Dave: No, That’s enough, lets not overdo it
(What do you mean overdo it?
We want to sing it again!)
Dave: Now wait a minute, boys
(Why can’t we sing it again?)
Dave: Alvin, cut that out.
Theodore, just a minute.
Simon will you cut that out?
Boys.
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
The chipmunks were the first tape I ever owned. It came with my first stereo. Both were a christmas gift from my parents……It still makes me smile. It also makes christmas feel like it did when you were a child. My little girl recently discovered an old chipmunk tape in her grandmother’s house. I know for sure, she will be getting this song as an addition to her christmas music this year.
The chipmunks are cute and all, but their music makes me want to gouge my eyes out. Their voices are too nasal-y. “Me, I want a HUUUUULA-HOOOP” – Ahhhh! When I have kids I’ll probably appreciate these little singing, pajamaed critters, but not now.
I used to listen to this with my Mom during christmas time. I have to own this
cool
i love alvin & the chipmunks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
oh and i forgot,their so chuby and cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
what was that
ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh…………………… my favorite singers ilove alvin and the chipmunks
alvin the chipmunk go go go go…………………..//////////////…………………….;;;;;;;;;;;;;;,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
christmas time is truly near…. “pls christmas dont be laaaate” they’re so cuuuuuute!!!
I truly love the chipmuks!!!!!!!!!!!! I watch them all the time