What Song Is Playing in Christmas Vacation in the Attic?

By Robert Palmer

If you’re a fan of the Christmas classic movie “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” you might have noticed a catchy tune playing in the background during one of the scenes in the attic. The song in question is “Mele Kalikimaka,” which is a Hawaiian-themed Christmas song originally written by R. Alex Anderson and first recorded by Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters in 1950.

The Scene

The scene where “Mele Kalikimaka” plays in Christmas Vacation is when Clark Griswold, played by Chevy Chase, is looking for old home movies to project onto a sheet hung up in the attic. As he rummages through boxes and tangles with old film reels, “Mele Kalikimaka” starts playing on an old record player.

The Song

“Mele Kalikimaka” means “Merry Christmas” in Hawaiian and has become a popular holiday song over the years. The song’s catchy melody and upbeat lyrics make it a perfect addition to any Christmas playlist.

Lyrics

The lyrics to “Mele Kalikimaka” are as follows:

Mele Kalikimaka is the thing to say
On a bright Hawaiian Christmas Day
That’s the island greeting that we send to you
From the land where palm trees sway

Here we know that Christmas will be green and bright
Sunshine by day and all the stars at night
Mele Kalikimaka is Hawaii’s way
To say Merry Christmas to you

  • Brightest greetings from Hawaii come your way
  • To say Merry Christmas to you

Conclusion

So there you have it, “Mele Kalikimaka” is the festive tune that plays during one of the most iconic scenes in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. With its sunny lyrics and catchy melody, it’s no wonder this song has become a holiday classic. So next time you watch the movie, be sure to sing along and spread some Hawaiian Christmas cheer!