Podcast Summary: "True Stories Behind Christmas Songs & Dangerous Decorations"

Something You Should Know with Mike Carruthers | December 16, 2025

Episode Overview

In this festive bonus episode, host Mike Carruthers dives into the hidden stories and quirky histories behind beloved Christmas songs and traditions. Joined by music journalist and author Annie Zaleski ("This Is Christmas Song by Song"), the conversation unpacks how classic holiday tunes came to be, what makes them so enduring, and a sprinkling of odd and even hazardous Christmas decoration tales from history.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Dangerous & Unusual Christmas Decorations

[04:17]

• Radioactive Ornaments:
  • In the early 1900s, Christmas ornaments and artificial snow sometimes contained radioactive radium, which was then considered healthy and desirable for its glow.
  • “People literally put faintly radioactive decorations in their living room without knowing that it could cause all kinds of health problems.”—Mike [05:01]
• Spider Web Tree Ornaments:
  • In Eastern Europe, especially Ukraine, trees were decorated with fake or real spider webs for luck, inspired by folk tales.
  • “To this day, spider web ornaments are considered a symbol of good luck and prosperity.” —Mike [05:40]

2. Why We Love Christmas Music

Guest: Annie Zaleski
[07:06]

• Music reflects and shapes culture. Christmas songs are “a window into world history, social movements, and how American culture has moved forward.” —Annie [07:16]

3. The Story Behind "White Christmas"

[07:37]

• Written by Irving Berlin for the film Holiday Inn (1942), though performed on radio the previous year.
• Became emblematic of World War II’s uncertainty and hope.
• “It’s full of nostalgia... a beacon of comfort.” —Annie [08:29]

4. Nat King Cole’s "The Christmas Song"

[09:17]

• Written by Mel Tormé and Robert Wells on an “excessively hot” summer day—hoping writing about Christmas would cool them down.
• Nat King Cole recorded it (twice) in 1946, giving it a “haunting” and deeply empathetic feel.
• “He really lived the songs that he sang.” —Annie [10:56]
• Mike notes: “There’s a hauntingness about it that just makes the song.”

5. Elvis's "Blue Christmas"

[11:32]

• Written in the rain by radio scriptwriter Jay Johnson; Elvis popularized it in 1957, though it was previously recorded by others.
• Built for those with “a melancholy Christmas.”
• “If you’re having a... not great year, he really captured it.” —Annie [11:51]

6. Enduring Nature of Christmas Songs & Mariah Carey

[12:30]

• Not many new songs become classics, but Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” is one exception.
• Written with Walter Afanasieff; “she really leans into the vocal performance... and the instrumentation is kind of old-fashioned.” —Annie [13:18]
• “It’s infectious—it gets in your head.” —Mike [13:55]

7. Recent and Infectious Holiday Hits

Kelly Clarkson’s "Underneath the Tree"
[18:06]

• Written with Greg Kurstin in a modernized “wall of sound” style.
• “True love makes Christmas better” is the core theme.
• Continues the tradition of women dominating the Christmas pop vocal space.

8. "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"

[19:12]

• From Judy Garland’s Meet Me in St. Louis (1944).
• Songwriter Hugh Martin threw his draft in the trash, but it was saved by Ralph Blaine.
• Nearly cut from the film for being too somber.

9. The Story of "Merry Christmas Darling" by The Carpenters

[20:04]

• Lyrics by Frank Pooler as a gift for a crush—later given to the Carpenters when Pooler became a professor at their college.
• Karen Carpenter’s “angelic” performance made it timeless.
• “There’s almost no words to describe how beautiful it is.” —Annie [21:26]

10. Novelty Christmas Songs: "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" & "Chipmunks Song"

[21:49], [23:23]

• "Hippopotamus" was promoted by raising money for a real hippo, later donated to the Oklahoma City Zoo.
• "Chipmunks" song: Created by manipulating tape speeds, inspired by "Witch Doctor." Almost featured insects instead!

11. “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”

[24:00]

• Released in 1943; “less optimistic” than White Christmas.
• Written in a time when many soldiers could not return home—the key line: "If only in my dreams."
• Drama behind the scenes with copyright lawsuits.
• Bing Crosby’s delivery made it a comforting song for the lonely.

12. The Arrival of Rock & Roll: "Jingle Bell Rock" and "Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree"

[29:34]

• "Jingle Bell Rock" — originally by Bobby Helms (country musician). Songwriting credits are controversial.
• "Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree" — Brenda Lee recorded at age 12, written by Johnny Marks (also wrote "Rudolph").
• “She always sounded so much more sophisticated and adult than she actually was.” —Annie [31:13]
• Featured in Home Alone, which kept it in popular culture.

13. Holiday Hits from the ‘80s: Wham! and the Eagles

[32:18]

• Wham!’s “Last Christmas” — George Michael wrote and recorded nearly alone. The song’s meaning is debated, interpreted as heartbreak and moving on.
• Eagles’ “Please Come Home for Christmas” — A cover of Charles Brown’s classic; notable for harmonies and first with Timothy B. Schmidt on bass.
• “It’s my favorite Eagles song, to be honest!” —Annie [33:49]

14. The Real Story of "The Twelve Days of Christmas"

[35:48]

• Doesn’t count down to Christmas; runs from Christmas Day to January 5.
• No secret religious code—originates as a memory game in 18th-century England and France.
• If gifts were given cumulatively, you’d get 364 presents (including 184 birds!).
• Current real-world cost: Over $40,000, or six figures if you buy all repeats.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• [07:16] Annie on Christmas music:
  “You can really see the world history, social movements, and they’re all reflected in Christmas music.”
• [08:29] Annie on "White Christmas":
  “It’s reassuring. It’s full of nostalgia... yearning that one day everyone will be together again.”
• [10:56] Annie on Nat King Cole:
  “He really lived the songs that he sang.”
• [12:20] Mike on Mariah’s Christmas song:
  “But it has stuck, and it probably will stick for a while.”
• [31:29] Annie on Brenda Lee and "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree":
  “She said that [Home Alone] breathed new life into the tune. It hit Number One last year—just unbelievable.”
• [32:41] Annie on Wham!’s "Last Christmas":
  “[People] have many different interpretations. I’ve had some heated conversations with people about Last Christmas. You would not expect for the way it sounds!”

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------------|:---------------:| | Dangerous Decorations | 04:17–06:30 | | Why Christmas Music Reflects Culture | 07:06–07:37 | | “White Christmas” Story | 07:37–08:50 | | Nat King Cole’s “The Christmas Song” | 09:17–10:55 | | Elvis's “Blue Christmas” | 11:32–12:30 | | Mariah Carey and Staying Power of Christmas Songs | 12:30–13:55 | | Kelly Clarkson’s “Underneath the Tree” | 18:06–19:04 | | “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” | 19:12–20:04 | | The Carpenters’ “Merry Christmas Darling” | 20:21–21:35 | | Novelty Christmas Songs | 21:49–24:00 | | “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” | 24:00–25:44 | | Rock & Roll’s Impact: “Jingle Bell Rock,” Brenda Lee| 29:34–31:56 | | Wham! / Eagles—Modern Classics | 32:18–35:12 | | The Twelve Days of Christmas Exposed | 35:48–39:10 |

Tone & Style

The episode is warm, nostalgic, informative, and personable—perfectly suited to the holiday season. Both Mike and Annie share stories in a conversational, journalistic style that mixes pop culture trivia with genuine appreciation for the emotional connections people have with Christmas music.

Summary Takeaway

This bonus episode offers a delightful, revealing tour through the stories behind the songs that soundtrack our holidays—explaining not just how they were written, but why they endure, and how they reflect the times in which they were created. The mixture of humor, history, and touching backstories makes it a merry listen for anyone eager to know a little more about the music of the season.

Guest: Annie Zaleski (author, “This Is Christmas Song by Song”)
Host: Mike Carruthers