Christmas is all about traditions. Thankfully, David Letterman knows this. In 1986, he invited Darlene Love to perform her popular holiday song, "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)." She's returned every year since to enchant viewers with her soulful pipes and endearing charm. Letterman exits Late Show in May, so last night (Dec. 19) was the final time Love would perform the classic.
Love made it clear in an interview with The New York Times that her holiday performance will be one of the many aspects that will leave the CBS talk show once Letterman retires. "People say, '[Letterman] can't demand that,'" Love said. "I say, 'He's not demanding.' I made a point myself, and I want to do it just for David."
Last night's performance was a complete Christmas blow out compared to Love's 1986 showing (she was backed by a four-piece band, Rolling Stone notes). Paul Schaffer led the gigantic band that included horns, strings and a small army of backup singers. Love killed it. Her voice is still a marvel.
The singer told NYT that she climbed on top of Schaffer's piano so she wouldn't have to hug Letterman, which would have been too emotional. "They said, 'Dave is coming up.' I said, 'Dave ain't coming up here.'"
"Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" appeared on Phil Spector's 1963 timeless holiday LP, A Christmas Gift for You.
"Ronnie Spector turns 'Frosty the Snowman' into a puddle in the front yard; and on the classic Brill Building original 'Christmas Baby, Please Come Home,' Darlene Love throws herself into an epic ballad of romantic affliction, turning winter wonderland into teenage wasteland. No wonder Brian Wilson has called it his favorite album of all time," RS wrote.
Check out the supercut of Love's holiday performance over the years here.
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