A Voice That Wrapped Christmas in Velvet – A Celebration of Joy That Warms the Coldest Days
In the autumn of 1963, Andy Williams gifted the world It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, a festive jewel from his debut holiday album, The Andy Williams Christmas Album, which climbed to No. 1 on Billboard’s Christmas Albums chart that year. Though it wasn’t released as a single to chase pop chart glory—those days were reserved for tracks like Moon River—it became a seasonal cornerstone, its jolly brass and buoyant strings ringing through every December since. Recorded in September ’63 and released in October, the song captured Williams at his peak, his voice a soothing balm after a year shadowed by Kennedy’s loss. For us who tuned in, it wasn’t just a tune—it was the sound of Christmas itself, spun from vinyl on living room hi-fis as snow dusted the windows.
The story behind It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year is a tale of Tin Pan Alley alchemy. Written by Edward Pola and George Wyle, a pair of seasoned songsmiths who’d penned hits for Bing Crosby and others, it was crafted for Williams’ first NBC Christmas special in ’63. Pola, an ad man turned lyricist, and Wyle, a TV music director, cooked it up in a burst of holiday cheer, aiming to bottle the bustle of the season—sleigh bells, roasting chestnuts, and all. Recorded at Columbia’s 30th Street Studio in New York, Williams laid down that silky vocal with the backing of the Robert Mersey Orchestra, their upbeat arrangement turning a simple carol into a full-on celebration. It was a family affair too—Wyle’s grandson later recalled how Grandpa George would hum it at home, a melody born from love and laughter.
At its heart, It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year is a hymn to the magic of the season—a rollicking reminder to embrace the chaos and warmth of Christmas with open arms. “There’ll be parties for hosting, marshmallows for toasting,” Williams sings, painting a picture of crackling fires and crowded rooms, of kids jingle-belling and tales of old glories. It’s less about quiet reverence and more about the giddy rush of December—friends calling “yoo-hoo,” hearts glowing for those we hold dear. For those of us who grew up with it, it’s the echo of a time when the holidays meant tinsel-strewn trees and Perry Como on the TV, when a crooner’s voice could make even the greyest winter feel golden.
For older souls, this song is a dog-eared Christmas card from the past. It’s the clink of milk bottles on the porch for Santa, the rustle of wrapping paper late at night, the flicker of black-and-white specials where Andy Williams—cardigan-clad and grinning—welcomed us into his world. Back then, his annual TV shows were as much a tradition as the turkey, and this track, with its peppy tempo and lush harmonies, became our anthem. It’s lived on—covered by everyone from Harry Connick Jr. to Kylie Minogue—but Williams’ version remains the original, the one that first danced through our homes. As the years pile up like snowdrifts, It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year still pulls us back to those bright, bustling Decembers, when life felt simpler, and a song could make every moment feel like a gift.