Elvis Presley – If Every Day Was Like Christmas offers a gentle wish: that the warmth of Christmas might last throughout the year. Written by Red West, the song first appeared as an RCA Victor single in 1966. Its appeal comes from a simple feeling of goodwill, expressed through familiar holiday scenes.
If Every Day Was Like Christmas: the 1966 single
Elvis’ official release catalog dates the single to November 15, 1966. RCA Victor issued it as 47-8950, pairing the Christmas song with “How Would You Like to Be,” from It Happened at the World’s Fair. The original picture sleeve is shown below.
Red West’s song and the Nashville recording
The official session credits identify Red West as the writer. They also distinguish two recording dates: the backing track on June 10, 1966, and Elvis’ vocal on June 12. Both sessions took place at RCA’s Studio B in Nashville.
Those credits name Pete Drake on steel guitar and David Briggs on piano. Meanwhile, the vocal ensemble includes Millie Kirkham, June Page, Dolores Edgin, the Jordanaires, and the Imperials. That combination gives the recording a full, choral setting while keeping Elvis’ lead vocal at its center.
A wish that reaches beyond Christmas
The lyric brings together bells, a choir, and a child looking forward to Christmas. However, its central question reaches beyond the decorations. The narrator wants to hold on to the peace and happiness those moments create.
Rather than tell a complicated story, the song builds on small, recognizable images. As a result, its message feels personal and easy to follow. Elvis sings with warmth, allowing the hopeful idea to carry the performance. The season provides the setting, but the wish is for kindness to continue after it ends.
If Every Day Was Like Christmas on Elvis’ Christmas Album
The recording later joined the 1970 RCA Camden edition of Elvis’ Christmas Album. Elvis’ official album page dates that release to November 1, 1970, and lists the song as track six. This is the later Camden edition, rather than the original 1957 album.
For more Elvis recordings, revisit “Treat Me Nice” and “Way Down.” Finally, listen to the official lyric video below and return to this quietly hopeful Christmas performance.