Boris Karloff didn’t actually sing “You’re Evil, Mr. Grinch”

Boris Karloff is perhaps best known for voicing the green, furry, pot-bellied Grinch in the 1966 animated special. How the Grinch Stole Christmasbut surprisingly, he was not the writer of one of the most iconic songs of the beloved holiday classic. As an explanation for why the Grinch wants to steal Christmas from the Whos of Whoville, the song “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” was actually sung by Thurl Ravenscroft, an actor and bass singer whose voice echoed across several corners of mid-to-late 20th century pop culture.

Ravenscroft’s involvement in the creation of the now-cult holiday classic, based on Dr. Seuss’s 1957 children’s book of the same name, began in 1966, when he took a job at the studio for just a couple of hours, according to Ravenscroft. New York Times. In this job, he signed a song about a creature so “vile” that the narrator would not touch it with “a 39-and-a-half-foot-long pole.” The song also talks about the Grinch being a “monster,” whose “heart is an empty hole” and who has “garlic in his soul,” as well as other memorable lyrics including, “You’re as nice as a cactus. as charming as an eel.”

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The song became an instant hit and became one of the most memorable moments of the Christmas classic. Not only did the special’s soundtrack win the Grammy Award for Best Children’s Album at the 10th Annual Grammy Awards, but the song “You’re Mean, Mr. Grinch” has since been included in most adaptations of the Dr. Seuss book. Jim Carey sings it in the 2000 live-action film remake, and Tyler, the Creator sings an updated version in the 2018 computer-animated film.

However, despite the song’s continued success, “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” is often misbelieved, with many believing that Karloff sang it. The confusion arises not only because Karloff voiced the Grinch during appearances in the special and also provided the voice of the narrator, but also because Ravenscroft was not mentioned in the special’s closing credits. Instead loans How the Grinch Stole Christmas Let’s just say: “The sounds of the Grinch belong to Boris Karloff. . .and Boris Karloff reads!”

Although Ravenscroft’s voice is often overlooked by viewers of the annual holiday classic, most people still know his voice, even if they don’t realize it. The singer, who died aged 91 in 2005, sang “No Dogs Allowed” in “Snoopy Come Home” and also provided voice and singing credits for Disney in many films and Disneyland attractions, including Haunted Mansion, Country Bear Jamboree, Mark Twain Riverboat, Pirates of the Caribbeanand much more. In particular, he is best remembered as the voice of Tony the Tiger, the voice of Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes animation, voicing the character for 53 years and in over 500 commercials.

You can hear Ravenscroft’s voice this year when How the Grinch Stole Christmas airs as part of holiday television programming, most likely on TNT and TBS. The special is also available to stream on Peacock.