Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Hugh McIntyre covers music, with a focus on the global charts. Bing Crosby changed the future of holiday music when he released ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Hugh McIntyre covers music, with a focus on the global charts. Bing Crosby is one of the biggest names in holiday music. Some may ...

Even before "White Christmas" blanketed airwaves, Billboard was covering "insiders whisper[ing]" about the Irving Berlin song.

But the story doesn't end there. "Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy" arrived as a single five years later, in November 1982, and became a massive U.K. chart hit, landing at No. 3 in early 1983. It was ...