Behind the Song: Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

The Enduring History of the World’s Most Famous Reindeer: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Every year, the moment "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" floats through the air, we are instantly transported to the warm, cozy nostalgia of the holiday season. It’s a song about acceptance, a story about a misfit who becomes a hero, and a Christmas classic that simply never fades.

But the history of the shiny-nosed hero is a fascinating story that begins not on the North Pole, but in the depths of the Great Depression, as a piece of retail advertising.

Watch a clip of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer spinning on Red Vinyl from 1957 here: https://youtube.com/shorts/PJhMI47x6EA

From Copywriter to Creator: Robert L. May's Vision (1939)

The year was 1939, and the Chicago-based department store Montgomery Ward was looking for a cost-effective holiday promotion. Instead of buying and distributing external coloring books, they tasked their in-house copywriter, Robert L. May, with creating an original Christmas story.

May, who was a quiet and small man and had known what it was like to be an underdog, drew inspiration from his own life and classic tales like The Ugly Duckling. He wanted to create a character that symbolized hope for his young daughter, who had also been struggling. He settled on a reindeer because his daughter adored the deer at the Lincoln Park Zoo, and after considering names like "Rollo" and "Reginald," he chose the alliterative and endearing name, Rudolph.

The idea for a glowing red nose came to him during a particularly thick, foggy day in Chicago. However, the initial concept faced resistance. In the 1930s, a bright red nose was often associated with alcoholism, something the company wanted to avoid. Luckily, a colleague’s endearing sketches of the little reindeer convinced management, and the story of Rudolph, ostracized for his nose until he saved Christmas by guiding Santa’s sleigh through a storm, was approved.

Montgomery Ward printed and distributed over 2.4 million copies of the booklet for free that first year, making Rudolph an instant hit with children across America.

From Poem to Pop Hit: Johnny Marks and Gene Autry (1949)

Despite its initial success, the rights to Rudolph belonged to Montgomery Ward, as May had created the character while on their payroll. However, in an incredible gesture of good will, the head of the company returned the full copyright to May a few years later.

May’s brother-in-law, a professional songwriter named Johnny Marks, saw the potential for a song. Marks turned May’s rhyming poem into the catchy, memorable tune we know today. After being passed up by Bing Crosby, the song was recorded by the famous "Singing Cowboy," Gene Autry, in 1949.

Autry’s recording became a sensation, hitting No. 1 on the Billboard charts and becoming the first major Christmas hit of the post-World War II era. It sold over 2 million copies that year alone and cemented Rudolph's place in popular culture—making both May and Marks millionaires.

The Stop-Motion Special (1964)

The final piece of the Rudolph legend came in 1964 with the premiere of the famous stop-motion animated television special, produced by Rank/Bass.

This special—which introduced characters not found in the original story, like Hermey the aspiring dentist elf and Yukon Cornelius—is based on the Johnny Marks song. It has been telecast every year since its debut, making it the longest continuously running Christmas TV special in the history of American television.

Spin a Festive Classic!

From a humble company promotion to a global symbol of overcoming adversity, the history of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a story as uplifting as the holidays themselves.

If you love the classic sound of Christmas, check out this festive red vinyl spin of the song. It brings that timeless nostalgia to life!

Watch a clip of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer spinning on Red Vinyl from 1957 here: https://youtube.com/shorts/PJhMI47x6EA