DESCRIPTION:
Written by Harry Simeone, Henry Onorati and Katherine Davis. Arranged by Don Costa and produced by Global Records, Inc.

Johnny Mathis left Columbia Records in 1963 after a solid six year chart run and joined Mercury. Obviously aware of the quality and selling power of his Christmas recordings, Mercury had Johnny record a Christmas album almost as soon as he landed at the label. “The Sounds Of Christmas” was released in October 1963 and included the two tracks issued on this 45, “The Little Drummer Boy” / “Have Reindeer Will Travel”.

“The Little Drummer Boy” was originally issued in 1958 by the Harry Simeone Chorale and reached #13 on the Hot-100. Many versions have followed as the song gravitated to being a Christmas staple.