Co-written and first recorded by Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers (R&B #3 1947).
Other popular versions by Chuck Berry (1958); Elvis Presley (1971); Bruce Springsteen (1987); Bonnie Raitt & Charles Brown (1992); Cee Lo Green, Rod Stewart & Trombone Shorty (2012).
From the wiki: “‘Merry Christmas Baby’ is an R&B Christmas standard written by Lou Baxter and Johnny Moore. The original 1947 version by Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers is considered to be the definitive version of this song.
“Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers was one of the hottest blues attractions on the West Coast when their recording of ‘Merry Christmas Baby’ reached position #3 on Billboard’s R & B Juke Box chart during the Christmas of 1947. Guitarist Johnny Moore commandeered an impressive lineup of players for the recording session, including bassist Eddie Williams, guitarist Oscar Moore (then of the King Cole Trio) and, notably, singer/pianist Charles Brown (‘Please Come Home for Christmas‘).
“Notable cover versions include those by Chuck Berry on his 1958 single, and Elvis Presley’s 1971 recording for Elvis sings The Wonderful World of Christmas. A live performance by Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band was recorded at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York, that would go on to be included on the Christmas compilation album A Very Special Christmas, released in 1987. In 1992, Bonnie Raitt covered ‘Merry Christmas, Baby’ with the song’s original singer, Charles Brown, for the follow-up compilation album, A Very Special Christmas 2.”
Chuck Berry, “Merry Christmas, Baby” (1958):
Elvis Presley, “Merry Christmas, Baby” (1971):
Bruce Springsteen, “Merry Christmas, Baby” (1987):
Bonnie Raitt & Charles Brown, “Merry Christmas, Baby” (1992):
Cee Lo Green, Rod Stewart & Trombone Shorty, “Merry Christmas, Baby” (2012):