They Made a Christmas Album?- Advent 2018: Day 9

Today's featured artist is Madonna. With a name like that, you would assume that Christmas and the Material Girl would fit together like a hand and glove. But with only 1 exception, Madonna has never done a full-scale Christmas album. In fact, as far as I can tell, she's only ever recorded one seasonal tune.

Madonna's holiday song was Santa Baby.  It was a recording for the A Very Special Christmas charity album sponsoring Special Olympics in 1987. The over-sexualized song is about a gold digging harpy who wants extravagant things from St. Nick while making a bunch of innuendos of how she was such a 'good girl.'

The song was originally and best performed by Eartha Kitt. Kitt was one of 3 actresses to play Catwoman on the 1966 Baman TV show. Her ability to trill her words and feisty attitude made her a great Catwoman, second to only Julie Newmar.

Today's post is a clear example of how a good song put in the hands of two artists can have differing results. Kitt's 1953 rendition of Santa Baby was seductive, coaxing and very well could have doubled as her audition tape for playing Catwoman. Madonna's was kinda whiny...

Up until now, I have only posted one video. But with today's post, I want to highlight the differences of the two songs. While I am very proud to present Eartha Kitt's version of the song, I humbly apologize for Madonna's tune. And just be glad that I didn't subject you to the Kylie Minogue version. Nobody should ever have to endure that...