Let It Snow

This was written by the lyricist Sammy Cahn and the Broadway songwriter Jule Styne in 1945. It was first recorded by Vaughn Monroe, and has since become a standard, with Patsy Cline, Martina McBride, Garth Brooks, Herb Alpert, Chris Isaak, the Carpenters, Carly Simon and Jessica Simpson just some of the artists to record it. Dean Martin's version is one of the best-known, and it fit his image as a swinging member of the Rat Pack without a care in the world. The most popular version on American radio (according to ASCAP), is by Harry Connick Jr.

Although this song is associated with Christmas, there is no mention of the holiday in the lyrics. It's about making the most of a snowy day by spending it with a loved one by the fire.

In the book Songwriters on Songwriting by Paul Zollo, Sammy Cahn said: "'Let It Snow' was written on Hollywood and Vine on the hottest day of the year. I said to Jule Stein, 'Why don't we go down to the beach and cool off?' He said, 'Why don't we stay here and write a winter song.' I went to the typewriter. 'Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful, and since we've got no place to go, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.' Now why 3 'let it snow's'? Why not 2 or 4? Because 3 is lyric."

A version by Rod Stewart recorded for his 2012 holiday album, Merry Christmas, Baby, reached #1 on Billboard's adult contemporary chart.