You’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch

Year: 1966

Written By: Theodor Geisel

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Everyone loves the TV Special How the Grinch stole Christmas. However, the kids especially love the Christmas song you're a mean one Mr. Grinch. The TV special, which was first a book, was an instant hit as was the song that is featured in it. There has been some speculation as to whether the carol and TV show is more appropriate for Halloween or Christmas with the Christmas holiday winning hands down every time.

You're a mean one Mr. Grinch was written and composed for the 1966 TV special How the Grinch stole Christmas. It was written by the much-loved Theodor "Dr. Seuss" Geisel, the music was composed by Albert Hague and contained six verses. It was performed by Thurl Ravenscroft, the voice of Tony the tiger in the Kellogg's commercials for years.

When the TV show was aired, Boris Karloff played the part of the narrator and the voice of the Grinch. Ravenscroft's name was never mentioned in the closing credits so Karloff is often credited with singing You're a mean one Mr. Grinch, even though the horror actor can't sing. As soon as Seuss found out he called Ravenscroft and apologized and even went so far as to write letters to papers crediting Ravenscroft with singing the song.

The book, song, and TV special tell the same story. The Grinch is mean, nasty, and sinister with a heart that is too small. He hates Christmas and hates the Whos down in Whoville even more. The story goes on to tell about how the Grinch got Christmas spirit and went from being a nasty old Grinch to someone all of the who's in Whoville loved. The story and the song touched the hearts of many adult and child alike.

Ravenscroft recorded two versions of the song, one for TV and the other for the soundtrack. They differed in as the sound track is more straightforward and has fewer instruments and sound effects. The instrumentation and the order of the verses differed also.

The TV special and song were turned into a full-length movie in the year 2000. Produced by Ron Howard and starring Jim Carrey as The Grinch it made the song more popular than ever. Jim Carrey and rapper Buster Rhimes sang You're a mean one Mr. Grinch in the movie together.

The song has been recorded by quite a few artists since its release most notably Bob Malone, Jim Carrey, and RuPaul.