Imagine the deep smooth voice of Bing Crosby blending effortlessly with the energetic flair of David Bowie. Sounds bizzare, right? But it surprisingly worked. Or one could even say, as one of the fan commented, “It was truly magical” (I was the fan). But on a serious note, it did sound really good, when these two legends joined forces to sing the holiday classic “Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy.” Starting off with a lighthearted comedy sketch, Crosby and Bowie launch into a moving rendition. It’s an unusual duet you didn’t realize you liked until now.
As the song progresses the duo showcased their harmonous collaboration with Bowie showing off his vibrant tenor. Bowie switches things up by singing the lyrics from “Peace On Earth,” while Crosby continues with “Little Drummer Boy” beneath him. You might think its a quirky mashup but somehow it all works really well. And here’s a fun fact: this track was actually recorded back in 1977. Only now is it surfacing, with the release of the Bing Crosby Christmas Gems compilation this year. Their duet really is something — check it out in the video below.
Bing Crosby, David Bowie – Peace On Earth / Little Drummer Boy
You might question, how on earth did this unlikely collaboration even occur? Well when Bowie appeared to film a TV special for Crosby accompanied by, his then-wife, Angie. The contrast between the two, as Crosby with his classic style and Bowie with his glam rock style with full make-up and bright red hair, nearly led to the cancellation of the show. Yet amongst the tension, creativity flourished.
Initially they planned for a straightforward version of “Little Drummer Boy.” However, Bowie had other ideas. Fraser remembers Bowie expressing, “I hate this song. Is there something else I could sing?” Not one to back down, Bowie pushed for a fresh take. Speaking of classics, remember Bing’s iconic duet “White Christmas” with Frank Sinatra? You can watch that gem below as well.
Frank Sinatra & Bing Crosby – White Christmas (Happy Holidays)
Facing Bowie’s pushback, Fraser, Grossman, and scriptwriter Buz Kohan sprang into action. In just over an hour, they crafted the track “Peace On Earth” right there in the studio. This new arrangement hit the sweet spot for Bowie, who then nailed the performance with Crosby within the same timeframe. The result? The unforgettable duet you saw in the first video above. Pretty cool right?
“Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy” didn’t just charm listeners; it climbed the charts, peaking at number three in the UK and becoming one of Bowie’s biggest hits. Sadly, just a month after their duet session, Crosby passed away from a heart attack. The Washington Post described the song as “one of the most succesful duets in Christmasmusic history.” It’s a timeles classic that brings together two icons in a truly magical way.