You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch

"You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch"
Song by Thurl Ravenscroft
Released1966
Recorded1966
Composer(s)Albert Hague
Lyricist(s)Dr. Seuss

"You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" is a Christmas song. It was written for the 1966 animated TV special Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas![1]

History

The lyrics were written by Theodor "Dr. Seuss" Geisel and the music was composed by Albert Hague. The song was performed by Thurl Ravenscroft.

Because Ravenscroft was not listed in the credits at the end of the show, many people thought Boris Karloff sang it. Karloff was the narrator and the voice of the Grinch, but he did not sing this song. Before people knew Ravenscroft was the singer, some also thought Tennessee Ernie Ford had recorded it.[2]

The music from the special won a Grammy Award for Best Album for Children.

The song is used in almost every version of the Grinch story. In the How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000 film), Jim Carrey sang it as the Grinch. There was also a hip-hop version with rapper Busta Rhymes called "Grinch 2000."[3] The Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical also includes the song. In the 2018 animated movie, Tyler, the Creator performed a modern version of the song[4] with music arranged by Danny Elfman.

The song was also covered by a rock band called the Whirling Dervishes]].[5] Other artists like Lindsey Stirling and Sabrina Carpenter have recorded versions that became popular on the music charts.

Charts

Glee cast version

Chart (2010–11) Peak
position
US Holiday Digital Songs (Billboard)[6] 45

Thurl Ravenscroft version

Chart (2018–2024) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[7] 50
Global 200 (Billboard)[8] 87
Latvia (DigiTop100)[9] 80
US Billboard Hot 100[10] 31
US Holiday 100 (Billboard)[11] 14
US Rolling Stone Top 100[12] 24

Lindsey Stirling and Sabrina Carpenter version

Chart (2024) Peak
position
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[13]10

References

  1. ↑ Green, Joey (2012). Weird and Wonderful Christmas: Curious and Crazy Customs and Coincidences from Around the World. Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers, Inc. p. 145. ISBN 978-1-57912-924-8.
  2. ↑ McCracken, Elizabeth (December 25, 2005). "Our Cereal Hero". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 15, 2012. Retrieved December 27, 2009.
  3. ↑ "THAT TIME JIM CARREY RAPPED AS THE GRINCH WITH BUSTA RHYMES". Mel. December 2, 2021.
  4. ↑ Klinkenberg, Brendan (October 24, 2018). "Tyler, the Creator Updates 'You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch' and It's… Pretty Good?". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 23, 2018.
  5. ↑ Acampora, Rob (November 29, 2011). "Jersey Band Forever Tied to Character Who Turns 45 This Year". SoJO 104.9. Retrieved 2021-12-05.
  6. ↑ "Glee Cast Chart History (Holiday Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
  7. ↑ "Billboard Hot 100: Week of January 7, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  8. ↑ "Billboard Global 200: Week of January 6, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  9. ↑ ""DIGiTop100" gada izskaņas topā svētku dziesmas uzvar teju visus muzikālos smagsvarus" [Christmas songs beat almost all musical heavyweights in DIGiTop100 at the end of the year] (in Latvian). Skaties.lv. 3 January 2018. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  10. ↑ "Billboard Hot 100: Week of December 31, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  11. ↑ "Thurl Ravenscroft Chart History (Holiday 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  12. ↑ "Top 100 Songs". Rolling Stone. December 24, 2020. Archived from the original on January 12, 2021. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  13. ↑ "Lindsey Stirling Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved July 7, 2025.

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