The month of December has many celebrations and holidays, making it one of the most exciting months of the year. Included, but often forgotten on this list, is Frank Sinatra’s birthday, which falls on December 12. In honor of his birthday, here are the top seven Frank Sinatra songs and pop culture moments that should live in our heads throughout the whole month of December.
1. “A Jolly Christmas From Frank Sinatra”
A holiday great, this album released in 1957 is made up of some of the most iconic twelve Christmas songs, all sung by Sinatra. The album showcases some of the more traditional aspects of Christmas music without the pop sensations that would come later. If you want to journey back in time, make sure to grab a cup of hot cocoa and play this lovely album.
2. “Mistletoe and Holly”
An iconic Christmas song, it is often overlooked that this song was co-written by Sinatra. The song is now included in holiday music playlists worldwide as a holiday classic. Sinatra’s music has become part of the holiday season and all of his songs, including his covers, should be added to your Christmas playlists this holiday season.
3. “Happy Holidays with Bing and Frank”
A Christmas special for the ages, two greats sat down in 1957 to film arguably one of the most iconic Christmas specials ever. Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby, two holiday icons, filmed a special in early color TV, singing Christmas songs and telling Christmas stories. Available online, this is a must-watch during the holiday season.
4. The Rat Pack
The infamous group, from Las Vegas, started what would soon lead modern artists such as Taylor Swift and the Kardashian family to create friend groups full of renowned celebrities. The Rat Pack included Frank Sinatra, Humphrey Bogart, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford, and Joey Bishop. They filmed movies together, performed on stage, and started an inclusive club that drew the eyes of individuals around the world. Sinatra was given the title “packmaster” as the leader of the infamous club. Although Bogart died from esophageal cancer in 1957 and the group fell apart, Sinatra was the one who brought the club together.
5. Charitable Donations
While many recognize Sinatra for his music and films, few often remember that Sinatra was a prominent philanthropist, and constantly raised money for causes in need. Such causes include raising $6.5 million in bond pledges for Israel, which awarded him the Medallion of Valor.
6. Ocean’s 11
While not exactly a holiday movie, but a classic nonetheless, the film features Sinatra and other members of the Rat Pack including Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford, and Joey Bishop. The film covers a New Year’s Eve heist with the biggest screen actors of the 20th century, and is a must-watch.
7. Revolutionary Style
Along with musical and cinematic accomplishments, Sinatra delivered many fashion statements throughout his career landing him to appear in books such as Dressing the Man: Mastering the Art of Permeant Fashion and Threading the Needle, which includes influential men in the fashion industry who have left a stamp on the history of fashion design.
Dressing the Man shows Sinatra sporting the Hollywood-style waistband, a style of a nonexistent waistband with small belt loops. Sinatra is also featured in the section centered around men’s hosiery, which involved many ways of combining hose with different types of trousers. A picture shows Sinatra’s sport hose contrasted with the thick and coarse texture of his flannel pants.
Threading the Needle discusses revolutionary fashion designer J. Press and his contribution to Ivy Style. One chapter from the novel outlines the eight months J. Press spent dressing Sinatra. Press discusses not only fashion but the close relationship he developed with Sinatra, travelling with him to events and parties. He discusses Sinatra’s generosity. But good things never last, and Sinatra ended the relationship.
This December, take a moment to remember Sinatra and the lasting legacy he holds within the music, film, and even the fashion industry, by realizing the influence he had not only on modern culture, but on the winter holiday season as we know it today.
