RUN DMC – Christmas in Hollis (1987)

“Christmas in Hollis” is a single by Run-DMC that was included on two 1987 Christmas compilation albums featuring various artists: A Very Special Christmas (A&M 3911) and Christmas Rap (Profile 1247).

When Bill Adler first asked Run-DMC to contribute to A Very Special Christmas—the first in a series of various artists compilation albums produced to benefit the Special Olympics—they refused. After Bill—who was then the director of publicity for Rush Productions, which managed Run-DMC—gave the band the idea for “Christmas in Hollis,” they changed their minds and agreed to be on the album. (Other contributing artists included Whitney Houston, Sting, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Madonna, and Bob Seger.)

The song was produced by Run DMC along with Rick Rubin and was originally released as a single in 1987 by A&M. In 2000, thirteen years after it was first released, it reached number 78 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

It was December 24th on Hollis Ave in the dark When I see a man chilling with his dog in the park I approached very slowly with my heart full of fear Looked at his dog, oh my God, an ill reindeer

But then I was illin’ because the man had a beard And a bag full of goodies, 12 o’clock had neared So I turned my head a second and the man had gone But he left his driver’s wallet smack dead on the lawn

I picket the wallet up, and then I took a pause Took out the license and it cold said “Santa Claus” A million dollars in it, cold hundreds of G’s Enough to buy a boat and matching car with ease

But I’d never steal from Santa, ’cause that ain’t right So I was going home to mail it back to him that night But when I got home I bugged, ’cause under the tree Was a letter from Santa and the dough was for me

It’s Christmastime in Hollis Queens Mom’s cooking chicken and collard greens Rice and stuffing, macaroni and cheese And Santa put gifts under Christmas trees

Decorate the house with lights at night Snow’s on the ground, snow-white so bright In the fireplace is the yule log Beneath the mistletoe as we drink egg nog The rhymes that you hear are the rhymes of Darryl’s But each and every year we bust Christmas carols, Christmas carols

Rhymes so loud, I’m proud you hear it It’s Christmastime and we got the spirit Jack Frost chillin’, the hawk is out And that’s what Christmas is all about The time is now, the place is here And the whole wide world is filled with cheer

My name’s D.M.C. with the mic in my hand And I’m chilling and coolin’ just like a snowman So open your eyes, lend us an ear We wanna say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year