For 28 years, it was a holiday tradition for Darlene Love to perform her signature hit “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” on David Letterman's late-night shows, but that all came to an end when it went off the air in 2015. Now, they have reunited on Letterman's YouTube channel to pick up where they left off.
Before Love sang “Christmas” to the accompaniment of longtime Letterman bandleader Paul Shaffer on piano, everyone chatted about the tradition. Letterman also asked Love about her recent performance of the song with Cher during the Rockefeller Center tree lighting special.
This led Love to express her feelings about never being asked to perform the song solo for the annual ceremony. “You know they wouldn't hire me for that?” she said, noting that other artists have performed the song in her place.
Letterman responded in disbelief, saying, “That's bullshit and I hope I haven't ruined anyone's vacation.” Love added that Cher echoed those same thoughts.
On a more positive note, Love said performing with Cher was a coming full circle moment. When Love recorded the first version of “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” in 1963, Cher sang backing vocals. Love would return the favor six decades later, duetting on Cher's version of the song for a 2023 Christmas album.
Later in the conversation, Love thanked Letterman for his role in advancing her career. “David, I want you to know that you're the reason my career took off,” he said, “because I didn't really work much.” At a time when Love was “really trying to get this solo career going,” appearing on Letterman every year helped her land more work.
Watch Love sing “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” with Shaffer and three backup singers below.
In the years since Love last played “Christmas” on Late show with David Letterman In 2014, he moved the annual presentation to ABC's daytime talk show. The view, but I didn't feel the same. Hopefully, Love and Letterman can continue the tradition from now on.
Letterman recently returned to the late show as a guest, with The National performing at his request. He later posted a 27-minute conversation with The National's Matt Berninger in which they talked about creativity and depression. Next year, Letterman will appear on Netflix's Is a Joke Fest.
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