Blue Christmas, a song that holds a special place in the hearts of many, is a poignant holiday tune that captures the feeling of longing and sadness during a time meant for joy.
As the scent of gingerbread fills the air and familiar carols begin to play, a certain melancholic warmth settles over the season for some of us. It’s a feeling that resonates deeply, a sense of quiet solitude amidst the festive clamor. For those of us who came of age in the late 1960s and early 1970s, that feeling is often inextricably linked with the smooth, earnest voice of Bobby Sherman. While many remember his bubbly, teen-idol hits, it’s his rendition of the classic “Blue Christmas” that holds a particularly poignant place in the holiday soundtrack of our youth.
Released in 1970 on the Christmas Album, a cherished vinyl treasure from the Metromedia label, “Blue Christmas” isn’t a song of jingle bells and cheer. Instead, it’s an ode to the bittersweet reality of a holiday spent apart from a loved one. The song, originally made famous by Elvis Presley, was given a new life through Sherman’s gentle, melodic touch. His version is less about a booming, theatrical sadness and more about a heartfelt, personal lament. It feels like a private moment of reflection, a quiet sigh into a cold, winter night. The absence of a chart position for this specific track only adds to its timeless quality; it was a deeper cut on an album that wasn’t about singles, but about creating an entire, nostalgic holiday mood.
The story behind Sherman’s version of the song is a reflection of his own career journey. By 1970, he was at the peak of his teen idol fame, a face plastered on bedroom walls and the voice behind hits like “Julie, Do Ya Love Me” and “Easy Come, Easy Go.” His music was a form of escapism for a generation navigating a tumultuous time. With the Christmas Album, Sherman offered something more intimate and emotionally mature. He wasn’t just singing for his adoring fans; he was sharing a part of himself. The song’s meaning is in its title—the feeling of a “blue Christmas” when your “blue” is a person, not just a mood. It’s a powerful, relatable emotion that transcends the superficial cheer of the season.
The song’s quiet sincerity and the earnestness of Sherman’s delivery are what make it resonate so deeply even today. It reminds us of a time when the holidays felt simpler, perhaps more personal. There was no social media to broadcast our every move; our sadness, like our joy, was often a private affair. Bobby Sherman’s “Blue Christmas” captures that feeling perfectly, a gentle echo of a time when a simple pop song could feel like a shared secret.