Ralph Blane / Hugh Martin / 4:06
Musicians: Bob Dylan: vocals; Phil Upchurch: guitar; David Hidalgo: guitar (?); Donnie Herron: mandolin (?); Patrick Warren: piano; Tony Garnier: upright bass; George G. Receli: drums; Amanda Barrett, Abby DeWald, and Nicole Eva Emery: backup vocals / Recording Studio: Groove Masters, Santa Monica, California: May 2009 / Producer: Jack Frost (Bob Dylan) / Sound Engineer: David Bianco
This composition was written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” was performed by Judy Garland in the 1944 MGM musical Meet Me in St. Louis, directed by Vincente Minnelli. Garland sings it to her younger sister Tootsie (Margaret O’Brien) on Christmas Eve, after their father has announced their move from St. Louis to New York City for a business promotion.
After Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra recorded the song, first in 1950 and then a second time in 1963 with more cheerful lyrics. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” was then covered by numerous performers, all keeping the extraordinary emotional force of the lyrics, including Jackie Gleason, Ella Fitzgerald, James Taylor, Whitney Houston, and Mary J. Blige.
Dylan gives a superb rendition of this beautiful song. If his version is far removed vocally from Sinatra’s, the jazzy arrangements are perfect. Upchurch provides an excellent introduction on guitar before continuing on a swing rhythm. He is backed by Hidalgo on guitar with a very intense vibrato and Warren on piano. The rhythm section of Receli and Garnier plays with finesse. There is also a very discrete mandolin, probably Herron’s.