"Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!", also known as simply "Let It Snow", is a song written by lyricist Sammy Cahn and composer Jule Styne in July 1945 in Hollywood, California, during a heatwave as Cahn and Styne imagined cooler conditions. The song was first recorded that fall by Vaughn Monroe, was released just after Thanksgiving, and became a hit by Christmas.
Other U.S. recordings during the 1945–46 winter season included those by Danny O'Neil (Majestic), Connee Boswell (Decca), Woody Herman (Columbia), and Bob Crosby (ARA).
Due to its wintry setting and lighthearted tone, the song has come to be associated with Christmas, even though the lyrics never once mention the holiday. Instead, the song seems to describe the affection between two lovers spending time together during a snowstorm. Nevertheless, in the United States the song has come to be regarded as a Christmas classic, and is often played on radio stations during the Christmas and holiday season. It has been covered by multiple artists on Christmas-themed albums.
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Vaughn Monroe version
In the U.S., the Monroe record charted higher—by several of Billboard magazine's measures—than has any successor. For 15 weeks, through 30 March 1946, it appeared in its "Honor Roll of Hits: The Nation’s Top 15 Tunes." In the "Songs with Greatest Radio Audiences" category, it was listed for 16 weeks (again through 30 March 1946). Of Billboard's "Top 15 Most Played on the Air," the Monroe recording charted for 13 weeks—five of them at #1 in January–February 1946. In Billboard's "Best Selling Popular Retail Records" tabulation, it spent 13 weeks in the top ten (three weeks as #1). Sheet music sales were similarly high during this period, spending 10 weeks in Billboard's top ten through 23 March 1946.
Frank Sinatra version
American singer Frank Sinatra released a version as a single in 1950 that featured The B. Swanson Quartet.
Dean Martin version
American singer Dean Martin released a version of the song in 1959, as part of his album A Winter Romance, and a re-recorded version in 1966, as part of The Dean Martin Christmas Album. The song entered the Billboard Hot 100 for the first time in 2018 and every year since, peaking at number 7 through 2026, with a total of 29 weeks in the Top 100.
Lena Horne version
Lena Horne recorded her version of "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" for her 1966 holiday album, Merry from Lena. It has remained popular since, notably appearing on Christmas soundtracks such as the 2003 film Elf.
Jessica Simpson version
American singer Jessica Simpson released a version of the song in 2004, as part of her album Rejoyce: The Christmas Album. Her version was produced by Billy Mann and reached Number 20 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.
Other charting recordings
Other notable versions
Widely heard recordings of the song include:
1945 (first recording) – Vaughn Monroe for RCA Victor, which became a popular hit, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard "Best Sellers" music chart for five weeks from late December into early 1946. Vaughn later re-recorded the song in stereo for his 1958 RCA Victor album There I Sing/Swing It Again, and once again for his 1962 Dot Records album His Greatest Hits.
1946 – Woody Herman for Columbia Records, which reached No. 8 on the Billboard chart. Other 1946 versions were recorded by Connee Boswell for Decca Records and Bob Crosby for ARA Records.
1962 – Bing Crosby, on his album I Wish You a Merry Christmas.
2005 – Carly Simon, on a CD single. It peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.
2012 – Rod Stewart, on his album Merry Christmas, Baby. Stewart's version reached No. 1 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart in December 2012 and remained there for a total of five weeks, tying it for the longest leading rendition of a holiday title in the history of the chart.
2013 – Dove Cameron recorded the song for the Christmas album Disney Holidays Unwrapped.
2019 – Doris Day recorded the song for her Christmas album The Doris Day Christmas Album in 1964. Her version is unusual as she sings as the host in a breathy seductive tone with sighs; all in a slow tempo, with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra remixing the version in 2019.