If you’re a fan of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, you may have found yourself humming along to the catchy tune that plays during the opening credits and throughout the movie. The song is none other than “Christmas Vacation” by Mavis Staples.
The Origins of “Christmas Vacation”
The song was written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, a husband-and-wife songwriting duo who are best known for their work in the 1960s and 1970s. “Christmas Vacation” was originally recorded by Mavis Staples in 1989 for the movie’s soundtrack.
The Lyrics
The lyrics to “Christmas Vacation” are simple and catchy, with a chorus that goes:
It’s that time, Christmas time is here
Everybody knows there’s not a better time of year
Hear that sleigh, Santa’s on his way
Hip, hip hooray, for Christmastime is here!
The rest of the song talks about all the joys of the holiday season, from spending time with family to drinking eggnog and eating candy canes.
The Legacy of “Christmas Vacation”
Since its release in 1989, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation has become a beloved holiday classic. And while the movie itself is great, there’s no denying that “Christmas Vacation” adds an extra layer of festive cheer.
In fact, the song has become so closely associated with the movie that it’s hard to hear it without picturing Clark Griswold (played by Chevy Chase) putting up Christmas lights or Cousin Eddie (played by Randy Quaid) emptying his RV’s sewage tank into the storm drain.
In Conclusion
So there you have it: “Christmas Vacation” by Mavis Staples is the iconic song that plays throughout National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Whether you’re watching the movie for the first time or the fiftieth, it’s a tune that’s sure to get stuck in your head and put you in a festive mood.