With Christmas just about upon us, Keith Richards’ social media pages have posted a holiday-themed archival video clip. The clip features the Rolling Stones guitarist revealing what he says is “the hippest Christmas song” ever.
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The tune in question is Chuck Berry’s 1958 rocking yuletide classic “Run Rudolph Run,” which Richards covered in 1978 and released as his first solo single.
The video clip originally was posted on Richards’ YouTube channel in 2018 as an installment of his “Ask Keith Richards” feature.
Keith was asked why he decided to record “Run Rudolph Run,” and he responded, “To me, it’s the hippest Christmas song that there is.”
Richards noted that he thought Berry had written “beautiful lyrics” and that there was “a beautiful, joyful feeling” about the tune.
He added, “It tells the story, short and snappy, and what a great track. The sound of it is amazing. I always [thought], ‘I’ve got to have a bash at that.’”
Keith also recalled details about the recording of his version of the song.
“[Fellow Rolling Stones guitarist] Ronnie [Wood] and I, I think we were in [Los Angeles,] actually,” Richards said. “And I threw a bass on. And [longtime Stones session keyboardist] Ian Stewart was with us on that. Actually, it was just done out of sheer fun.
He concluded, “You know, that’s the thing with Christmas songs. Once a year you can pull them out.”
Richards’ cover of “Run Rudolph Run” is available as a digital download and via streaming services here.
About Chuck Berry’s Original Version of “Run Rudolph Run”
Berry put a rock ‘n’ roll spin to the story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. In the tune, Chuck sings of how the speedy Rudolph jets off Santa to get the children their presents in time for Christmas morning. With Santa in tow, Rudolph brings a little boy an electric guitar and a little girl “a little baby doll that can cry, drink, sleep, and wet.”
Although Berry wrote “Run Rudolph Run,” he had to relinquish his songwriting credit to Johnny Marks, the composer of “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” after Marks sued him. Marks owned the trademark to the name Rudolph.
Berry initially released “Run Rudolph Run” as the B-side to his version of “Merry Christmas Baby.” In January 2021, “Run Rudolph Run” scored its highest position on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching No. 10.
More About Richards’ Version of “Run Rudolph Run”
Richards released “Run Rudolph Run” as a non-album single in December 1978. The single’s B-side featured a rendition of Jimmy Cliff’s reggae classic “The Harder They Come.” Keith rereleased “Run Rudolph Run” in 2007 with a cover of another lauded reggae tune, Toots and the Maytals’ “Pressure Drop,” as its B-Side.
Then, in 2018, Richards released a limited-edition “Run Rudolph Run” vinyl single that featured both “The Harder They Come” and “Pressure Drop” as part of the Record Store Day event.
An official animated music videos for both Berry’s and Richards’ versions of “Run Rudolph Run” debuted in 2020.
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