“Do You Hear What I Hear?” – Song by Harry Simeone
Written October 1962
Composer: Gloria Shayne
Lyricist: Noël Regney
Whitney Houston – Do You Hear What I Hear – Live at Tonight Show with Jay Leno, from 1990.
“Do You Hear What I Hear” was recorded by Whitney Houston in 1987 for the A Very Special Christmas, an album compilation That benefits the Special Olympics. It features songs performed by artists from a variety of genres, such as Dave Matthews, U2, Stevie Nicks, Bon Jovi, Madonna, The Smashing Pumpkins, No Doubt, Whitney Houston, Run–D.M.C., Jason Mraz, Willie Nelson, Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
The project is the brainchild of Jimmy Iovine, who produced albums by Tom Petty, Stevie Nicks, Rod Stewart and many other boldface names. He’s known for spotting musical opportunities and making them happen – Iovine is why Patti Smith recorded Springsteen’s “Because The Night.”
In January 1985, a few weeks after Christmas, Iovine’s dad died at 63. Knowing the memory would linger every holiday, Jimmy decided to honor his dad with A Very Special Christmas. All he had to do was convince some of the biggest stars in music to each record a Christmas song… for free. At the suggestion of his wife Vicki, the album would benefit the Special Olympics (she was a volunteer) and everyone involved would donate their time and efforts.
“Do You Hear What I Hear?” is a song written in October 1962, with lyrics by Noël Regney and music by Gloria Shayne. The pair, married at the time, wrote it as a plea for peace during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Regney had been invited by a record producer to write a Christmas song, but he was hesitant due to the commercialism of Christmas.[3] It has sold tens of millions of copies and has been covered by hundreds of artist.
