Is the Song Holiday Road in Christmas Vacation?

By Robert Palmer

If you’re a fan of Christmas movies, you’ve probably seen National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation at least once. The movie, released in 1989, has become a classic for many families during the holiday season. One thing that catches the attention of viewers every time is the catchy tune that plays during the opening credits and throughout the movie.

The song is called “Holiday Road,” and it’s often associated with summer road trips and vacations. But is “Holiday Road” actually in Christmas Vacation? Let’s find out.

The History of “Holiday Road”

Before we dive into whether or not “Holiday Road” appears in Christmas Vacation, let’s take a quick look at the history of the song. “Holiday Road” was written and performed by Lindsey Buckingham, who was a member of Fleetwood Mac at the time. The song was originally written for National Lampoon’s Vacation, which was released in 1983 and starred Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold.

The success of National Lampoon’s Vacation led to several sequels, including European Vacation (1985) and Christmas Vacation (1989). “Holiday Road” appeared in all three films but became most closely associated with National Lampoon’s Vacation.

“Holiday Road” in Christmas Vacation

Now let’s get to the question at hand: Is “Holiday Road” actually in Christmas Vacation? The answer is both yes and no.

If you’re watching an edited version of Christmas Vacation on TV, you might not hear “Holiday Road.” That’s because some TV versions replace it with a generic instrumental tune due to licensing issues. However, if you watch the original theatrical release or an unedited DVD or Blu-ray copy, you’ll hear “Holiday Road” during two scenes.

The first scene where “Holiday Road” appears is when Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) is daydreaming about his perfect swimming pool. The song plays as he envisions himself lounging by the pool with a cold drink in his hand.

The second scene is during the end credits of the movie. “Holiday Road” plays as the credits roll and we see various scenes from the film, including Clark’s disastrous attempt to turn on his Christmas lights.

  • Conclusion

In conclusion, “Holiday Road” does appear in Christmas Vacation, but only in two scenes. If you’re watching an edited version of the movie on TV, you might not hear it at all. However, if you’re a die-hard fan of the Griswold family and their holiday antics, you’ll want to make sure you watch an unedited version of the film to hear Lindsey Buckingham’s catchy tune.

Final Thoughts

The use of “Holiday Road” in Christmas Vacation adds to the overall charm and nostalgia of the film. It’s a fun nod to National Lampoon’s Vacation and shows that even though Clark Griswold is trying to have a perfect family Christmas, he can’t escape his love for summer vacations and road trips.

So next time you watch Christmas Vacation, listen closely for “Holiday Road” and sing along if you know the words!