I came across this video for the first time during the year…thought I would share it here for some Christmas cheer and because, well,  I love it!

I also have no idea why it took me so long to see it, although I was a young child when it came out.

Back in the 70s, two fabulous musicians from very different genres and eras joined together to perform The Little Drummer Boy with a difference.

It was a pairing that should never have worked……Bing Crosby and David Bowie.

Bing Crosby was a smooth crooner with a penchant for cardigans…I loved him in High Society…my all time favourite vintage movie.

At the other end of the spectrum was David Bowie…a glam rocker in his Ziggy Stardust stage.

Plus there was a rather large an age gap…at the time, Crosby was 76 and Bowie was 30.

It may not have happened if not for the fact that Bowie’s Mum loved Crosby!

But it all somehow came together on September 11th 1977 when this track was recorded for the upcoming Bing Crosby’s Merry Olde Christmas…

I did a bit of research and discovered that Bowie did not want to do this carol…apparently he hated it.

So the scriptwriter and songwriters quickly got together and wrote a counterpoint called Peace on Earth for Bowie to sing, while Crosby sung the traditional carol.

Thankfully Bowie liked it, and was happy to sing.

After about an hour of rehearsal, they recorded the track which has gone down in history as a Christmas classic, albeit one that is slightly bizarre.

But I love it…music connected these two very different musicians, if only for a brief hour or two.

And despite the fact Bowie didn’t like the carol, the duet highlights both singers perfectly.

The words to Peace On Earth are even more important nowadays as our world slowly goes mad…

Every child must be made aware.
Every child must be made to care.
Care enough for his fellowman.
To give all the love that he can.

There is a sad side-story to this track…Bing died of a heart attack just five weeks after this was filmed, however the special was screened just over a month later, on November 30, 1977.

And of course, fast forward to today and Bowie is now also no longer with us.

But despite the fact that this song was recorded almost 40 years ago, it still continues to be popular during the festive season….and I for one am a big fan!

Have you seen this track before? Love it or hate it?