Christmas (Baby Please Come Home): Choral Instrumental Pak
By Jeff Barry / By Phil Spector / By Ellie Greenwich / As performed by Darlene Love / Arranged by Kirby Shaw
Item: 35-PK00092061
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Description
This 1963 Christmas favorite by Darlene Love is a perennial favorite and has been covered by dozens of artists, most famously by U2 on the 1987 "A Very Special Christmas" compilation album. The heartfelt emotion will bring a spirit of rock 'n' roll festivity to every holiday program! Duration: ca. 2:35.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00092061
More about this title
About the Composer: Jeff Barry
Jeff Barry shaped the sound of 1960s pop and rock as a songwriter, producer, and arranger. His collaborations with Phil Spector and Ellie Greenwich produced some of the era's most enduring hits, including "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)," which became a holiday standard through its infectious melody and emotionally direct lyrical hook. Barry's gift for crafting memorable melodies that sit naturally in the voice made him a foundational figure in American popular music.
Beyond the recording studio, Barry's influence extends into music education through arrangements that capture the essence of classic pop while remaining singable and engaging for student ensembles. His work demonstrates how strong songwriting and smart voicing can create arrangements that feel both authentic and accessible.
Why we love this
This arrangement preserves the Spector wall of sound aesthetic while keeping the vocal line front and center where it belongs. The rhythm section writing cuts through with clarity, giving your group something tangible to lock onto rather than drowning in reverb and echo. A holiday staple that sounds fresh every time you rehearse it.
What to expect
Warm, earnest, and undeniably festive. The song channels 1960s soul sensibility with a rock edge, creating an emotional pull that feels less saccharine than many holiday selections. You'll feel the longing in the lyrics balanced against the celebratory energy of the music.
Who it's for
Directors building a holiday concert that leans toward genuine pop and rock rather than traditional Christmas standards. Any choir with singers who can nail a soulful lead line and a rehearsal band or accompanist who can swing the rhythm section will thrive with this arrangement.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the vocal melody against the rhythm section so the lead line stays prominent; the charm lives in the directness of the song's emotional hook.
- Lock the rhythmic precision of the piano and bass parts early in rehearsal. The pocket here is tight and essential to nailing the 1960s soul-pop feel.
- Shape the dynamics to build toward the end. Resist the urge to peak too early; let the arrangement breathe and grow organically through the 2:35 duration.
- Pay attention to the gospel-influenced chord movements and slight syncopations in the accompaniment. These details separate a polished performance from a routine one.
How to use it
Place this in the second half of your concert to energize the room after slower, more reverent seasonal pieces. It works equally well as an opener if you want to signal that your holiday program embraces popular culture alongside traditional repertoire. The familiarity of the melody means even non-singers in your audience will connect immediately.
Skills your students will build
- Singing with rhythmic precision in a syncopated, soul-inflected style
- Balancing vocal melody against a full rhythm section accompaniment
- Interpreting dynamics and phrasing in a pop arrangement context
- Responding to light swing and pocket feel in ensemble singing