All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth

Year: 1944

Written By: Donald Yetter Gardner

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Everyone has at some time or another gotten a chuckle out of the novelty Christmas song, 'All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth'. Well, adults that is. There are many second graders that are running around wishing that during the holidays!

When Donald Yetter Gardner (*), who was a music teacher, asked his class what they wanted for Christmas he had no idea that it would spark a nationwide hit. Gardner noticed that half of his students lisped as they answered him because they were missing their two front teeth. It took him about 30 minutes to write the song and it was an instant hit, quickly becoming a holiday favourite. The song was written in 1944 but not published until 1948 when Gardner was heard singing it at a teachers conference by an employee of Witmark music. Gardner later admitted that he was amazed at the reception the song had received.

Originally 'All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth' was recorded by Spike Jones and his City Slickers on December 6, 1948 with George Rock on vocals. After the single was released, it quickly hit the top of the charts in 1949. 'All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth' has wormed it's way into the hearts of millions since then and can be heard over and over on radio and TV during the holiday season. Numerous artists have recorded it over the years, most notably Danny Kaye, The Andrews Sisters and Nat King Cole, but Gardener's favourite version of the song is reputed to be by country legend George Strait.

TV stars have gotten in on the act too. The Three Stooges, the cast of Sesame Street and the Chipmunks have all recorded a version of the song. Even drag singer RuPaul copied the song on her album 'Ho Ho Ho' but she used plastic surgery procedures instead of two front teeth. Country performer Cledus T. Judd got in on the act too when he released his own version entitled 'All I Want For Christmas Is Two Gold Front Teef'.

* There is some confusion about the author of this song as some sources do point to composer James Pierpont (who wrote 'Jingle Bells') as having written it in 1857. The majority however do verify Donald Yetter Gardner as the writer.