(All I Want for Christmas is) My Two Front Teeth

All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth” is a novelty Christmas Song written in 1944 by Donald Yetter Gardner. He was a music teacher at the time. As many teachers do, he asked his second grade class what they all wanted for Christmas. He noticed that many of his students answered with a certain lisp because they had lost a tooth or two in the front of their young mouths.

The song was published in written form in 1948 after music executive discovered Gardner singing the song at a music teacher’s conference. The rest is history, as they say.

A quick search on Discogs reveals that this song have been recorded by dozens of artists. These include Little Tommy Tucker, Alvin & The Chipmunks, The Andrew Sisters, Spike Jones, Arthur Godfrey, The Three Stooges, The Platters, The Sesame Street cast, and even Danny Kaye. My favorite version is by Nat “King” Cole.

Pretty nifty right?

What is even more fun is the cover-art found on the various singles, compilation and albums that feature the song. Take a look at what I found, starting with the cassette tape that I had as a child.

Below we have the jacket used on the Spike Jones version released on RCA Victor as a 45rpm 7inch record.

The LP below has been re-released a number of times on different record labels.

Below is a box collection of 45pm records that were created specifically to work with record changers.

1 thought on “(All I Want for Christmas is) My Two Front Teeth

  1. My favorite recording of, “All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth” was by Danny Kaye. He was hilarious! I have always wondered why no one has ever put together a holiday album featuring him. I’ve heard recordings other holiday songs sung by him. He was brilliant. I especially love the “Jingle Bells” song off of the “Five Pennies” soundtrack.

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