Bagdasarian sang the song, varying the tape speeds to produce high-pitched "chipmunk" voices, with the vocals credited to Alvin and the Chipmunks, Seville's cartoon virtual band[1] and later media franchise.

[4] In the song, the chipmunks Alvin, Simon, and Theodore express their lack of patience for the arrival of Christmas Day.

"The Chipmunk Song" has been a staple on the Billboard charts and saved Liberty Records from near-bankruptcy.

[5] It has been featured in many movies and television shows, including a prominent appearance in the successful 2007 live-action film Alvin and the Chipmunks.

In the song, the narrator asks a witch doctor for romantic advice because he has fallen in love with a girl; the witch doctor responds in a high-pitched squeaky voice with a nonsense incantation which creates an earworm.

In 2007, following the release of the live-action Alvin and the Chipmunks film, the song reappeared on the charts nearly five decades after its initial success.

Although initially featured on American Bandstand's "Rate-A-Record" segment with the lowest possible rating of 35 across the board,[20] "The Chipmunk Song" became a number one hit by New Year's Day.

[21] One phrase in the chorus has Alvin wishing for a hula hoop, which was that year's hot new toy.

[41][42][43][44][45] The song was certified Gold by the RIAA as one of the best-selling physical Christmas singles in the United States.

[51] Bob Rivers released a parody of the song for his 2000 Christmas album Chipmunks Roasting on an Open Fire.