[4] English singer-songwriter and entertainer Ian Whitcomb interviewed Marks about the creation of the song in 1972.

[5] The song had an added introduction, paraphrasing the poem "A Visit from Saint Nicholas" (in the public domain by the time the song was written), stating the names of the eight reindeer: "You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen!

The song was first introduced live on New York Radio (WOR) by crooner Harry Brannon in November 1949.

[10] Autry's version of the song also holds the distinction of being the only chart-topping hit to fall completely off the chart after reaching No.

[citation needed] The song was also performed on the December 6, 1949, Fibber McGee and Molly radio broadcast by Teeny (Marian Jordan's little girl character) and the Kingsmen vocal group.

[12] In 1969, it was awarded a gold disk by the RIAA for sales of 7 million, which was Columbia's highest-selling record at the time.

Cover versions included, sales exceed 150 million copies, second only to Bing Crosby's "White Christmas".