November is here and it’s finally time for the return of Christmas music with a new release from White Christmas icon Bing Crosby.
Crosby, who died in 1977, will release a new version of his festive classic with a modern twist as he duets with K-Pop star V.
The last time the 40s star released a Christmas collaboration was in the year of his death with David Bowie on Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy.
This Bowie track, which was lost for many years, was one of the last recorded songs by Crosby for his final television special Bing Crosby’s Merrie Olde Christmas.
The 28-year-old singer is best known as one-seventh of the popular boyband BTS, who are the fastest group since The Beatles to chart four number one albums in the US.
In partnership with the Bing Crosby Estate, V has remixed the original 1942 White Christmas song in an ‘era-bridging collaboration’.
‘I’m so grateful to have had the chance to be featured in a song with my all time favourite jazz artist, Bing Crosby,’ the Mic Drop hitmaker shared.
V, real name Kim Tae-hyung, and the rest of BTS — Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, and Jungkook — went on hiatus two years ago to enlist in the South Korean military and pursue solo music.
He continued: ‘I grew up listening to his song ‘It’s Been a Long, Long Time’ countless times a day, and I feel incredibly fortunate and honoured to have sung along on White Christmas with the voice of someone I consider an idol.’
The song was originally recorded for the musical Holiday Inn and holds the Guinness World Record for the world’s best-selling single for physical sales.
It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and remained at number one for 11 weeks after release, returning to the top spot in 1943 and 1944.
V added: ‘Being a huge fan of his, I sang with the utmost sincerity and admiration for him, and I hope many people enjoy it as much as I enjoyed singing it. Lastly, I wish a lovely holiday season to everyone listening to the song.’
This new version, titled ‘White Christmas (with V of BTS)’ will be released on Friday, December 6 and is available to pre-save and pre-order on vinyl now.
Speaking of the collaboration, Crosby’s daughter Mary shared: ‘As a family, we are thrilled to have V and Dad singing together on this ultimate Christmas song. Their voices blend beautifully, capturing the holiday spirit in the best possible way.’
Harry Crosby, his son, added: ‘We are incredibly excited about V joining Dad for the duet of White Christmas. We are happy that V will help share the joy of this timeless Christmas song.’
This isn’t the first time V has stunned fans with his festive picks, showing off his love for jazz classics and vocal talent.
Two years ago, he blew fans away with cover of It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas, first released in 1951 by Perry Como and The Fontane Sisters with Mitchell Ayers & His Orchestra.