This wonderful Christmas composition was performed by dozens of famous musicians, including many legends of the rock scene. And her ascent to worldwide fame began with an incomparable version of the unforgettable Chuck Berry.
Let’s take a quick look at the history of the song Run Rudolf Run by Chuck Berry and remember which of the many performers managed to achieve maximum success with it.
The story and Meaning of Run Rudolf Run by Chuck Berry
The song was written by Johnny Marks and Marvin Brodie. Interestingly, Marx wrote not only this New Year’s hit, but also such well-known Christmas tracks as Rudolf, the Red-Nosed Reindeer, A Holly Jolly Christmas, Rockin’ around the Christmas Tree and Silver and Gold.
Chuck Berry was the first performer of Run Rudolf Run. In 1958 he released it as a single on Chess Records. The song peaked at number 36 on the UK Singles Chart and peaked at number 69 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Subsequently, the composition was sung by Lynyrd Skynyrd, Hanson, Bryan Adams, Sheryl Crow, The Grateful Dead, Keith Richards, Billy Idol and many others. We should also mention the joint version by Lemmy Kilmister, Billy Gibbons and Dave Grohl, recorded for the album We Wish You a Metal Xmas and a Headbanging New Year.
Sometimes the musicians allowed themselves to change the lyrics quite significantly, and some of them released a track called Run, Run Rudolf.
In 2013, Whitney Wolanin’s version of the song climbed to number two on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, making it the song’s highest charting achievement of all time.
Interesting Facts
- It is not difficult to notice that the song performed by Chuck Berry is very reminiscent of other hits of the rock and roll legend: Johnny B. Goode and Little Queenie.
- On Chuck Berry’s 1958 single, Johnny Marks is not credited as a co-writer of the song, although he officially owns the rights to the song.
- The song is heard in many famous films, but the most striking episode is perhaps the scene from the comedy Home Alone, in which the family, having forgotten the character MacCalley Culkin at home, rushes to the plane.
Run Rudolf Run Lyrics by Chuck Berry
Out of all the reindeers you know you’re the mastermind
Run, run Rudolph, Randolph ain’t too far behind
chorus:
Run, run Rudolph, Santa’s got to make it to town
Santa make him hurry, tell him he can take the freeway down
Run, run Rudolph ’cause I’m reelin’ like a merry-go-round
Said Santa to a boy child
All I want for Christmas is a rock and roll electric guitar
And then away went Rudolph a whizzing like a shooting star
Chorus x2
Chorus 2xSaid Santa to a girl child what would please you most to get?
A little baby doll that can cry, sleep, drink and wet
And then away went Rudolph a whizzing like a Saber jet
Chorus
Lyrics Run Rudolf Run by Chuck Berry Alternate
You know you’re the best of all the reindeer
Run, run, Rudolph, Randolph is right behind you
Chorus:
Run, run Rudolph, Santa gotta get in town
Santa, give him a boost, tell him he can speed down the freeway
Run, run Rudolph, because my head is spinning like a carousel
Santa asked the boy: “What do you want?”
“All I need for Christmas is a rock and roll electric guitar”
And then Rudolph rushed away like a meteor
Santa asked the girl: “What would you like most?”
“A little doll that can cry, sleep, drink and write”
And then Rudolph sped away like a jet plane
Chorus
