7 Shocking Facts About Darlene Love's "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" That Still Make News In 2025

Darlene Love's "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" has been the undisputed holiday anthem for over six decades, but the story behind the song is far from a simple Christmas carol. As of December 2025, the legendary track continues to make headlines, fueled by a triumphant return to late-night television, a massive celebrity duet, and the lingering, dark shadow of its original production.

The song, first released in 1963, is a timeless masterpiece that showcases Love’s powerhouse vocals and the iconic "Wall of Sound" production. However, recent years have brought fresh drama, new accolades, and surprising collaborations that prove its legacy is still being written, making it one of the most compelling stories in music history.

Darlene Love: The Voice of Christmas & Biographical Profile

Darlene Love is an American R&B and soul singer and actress whose career spans over 60 years. She is most famous for her work as a session singer, backing vocalist, and, of course, her signature Christmas hit. Her journey from the background to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a testament to her enduring talent and resilience.

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• Birth Name: Darlene Wright
• Born: July 26, 1941 (Age 84 as of 2025)
• Birth Place: Los Angeles, California, U.S.
• Initial Fame: Lead singer of the girl group The Blossoms.
• Key Collaborations: Phil Spector, Elvis Presley, Dionne Warwick, Cher, Sam Cooke, Tom Jones.
• Film/TV Appearances: Played "Trish Murtaugh" in all four *Lethal Weapon* films; star of the Broadway musical *Hairspray*.
• Major Accolades: Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011. Featured in the Oscar-winning documentary *20 Feet from Stardom*.
• Signature Songs (Non-Christmas): "He's a Rebel" (credited to The Crystals), "Wait 'Til My Bobby Gets Home," "Today's Hits," and "All Alone On Christmas" (from the film *Home Alone 2: Lost in New York*).

The 2024 Late-Night Comeback and the 60th Anniversary

The most significant and exciting news surrounding the song in the 2024/2025 holiday season was the glorious return of Darlene Love’s annual televised performance. This tradition, which had defined Christmas for a generation, was dramatically revived.

The Letterman Legacy Revived by Fallon

For 28 consecutive years, from 1986 to 2014, Love famously closed out the final episode before Christmas on *The Late Show with David Letterman*.

This tradition became a cultural touchstone, cementing the song’s status as a perennial classic and establishing Love as the definitive voice of the season.

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After Letterman’s retirement, the tradition seemed to end, leaving a void in holiday programming. However, in December 2024, Love brought the spectacular performance back to late-night television on *The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon*.

The performance was a massive event, featuring her longtime collaborator Paul Shaffer, who had conducted the band for the Letterman performances, and Steven Van Zandt’s Little Steven & The Disciples of Soul, ensuring the iconic, full-throttle sound was perfectly recreated.

Celebrating Six Decades of a Classic

The 2024 holiday season also marked the 60th anniversary of the song's original release. "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" debuted on the 1963 compilation album *A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector*.

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Its enduring power is a testament to its unique blend of holiday cheer and genuine heartbreak, differentiating it from more traditional carols.

The 60th anniversary celebration was highlighted by a major new recording, signaling that the song is still creatively vibrant and not just a nostalgic relic.

The Shocking New Duet and Ongoing Legal Battles

While the performance tradition is a heartwarming story, the song’s recent history is also marked by surprising new collaborations and serious legal challenges, proving that the music business remains a complicated landscape for the veteran artist.

A Massive Duet with Cher on Her First Christmas Album

In a major surprise for the 60th anniversary, Darlene Love recorded a new version of her classic as a duet with the legendary pop icon, Cher.

The song appears on Cher’s 2024 album, simply titled *Christmas*, marking the first holiday album of Cher's career.

Love herself admitted that when Cher first called her about the collaboration, she didn't even recognize the superstar's voice, leading to a full-circle moment for the two music veterans.

The Persistent Shadow of Phil Spector and Legal Rights

The song’s original producer, Phil Spector, is a notorious figure whose "Wall of Sound" production on the 1963 album is legendary, but his legacy is permanently marred by his conviction for murder.

The album, *A Christmas Gift for You*, is now frequently re-released under the title *The Phil Spector Christmas Album*, and Love has long fought for proper recognition and control over her work, a battle documented in the film *20 Feet from Stardom*.

The Battle Against Big Tech: Darlene Love v. Google

In a very current development, Darlene Love has taken her fight for artist rights to the next level by suing Google. The lawsuit alleges that Google used her voice, without permission or compensation, to train its AI models for the purpose of generating music, including her hit "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)."

This landmark case highlights the cutting-edge legal issues facing musicians in the age of artificial intelligence. Love’s case against Google follows previous legal action, such as her 2016 lawsuit against Scripps Network, Inc., regarding the use of her music.

These actions underscore her dedication to protecting her intellectual property and ensuring that artists are fairly compensated for their work, even six decades after a song’s release.

The Enduring Topical Authority of a Holiday Classic

The continued news cycle surrounding Darlene Love and her song—from the joyous return to TV to the serious legal battles—reinforces its status as more than just a piece of holiday nostalgia. It is a living, breathing part of music history.

While Mariah Carey may be dubbed the "Queen of Christmas" for her modern ubiquity, Darlene Love remains the reigning champion of the soulful, rock-and-roll holiday anthem.

The sheer power of her performance, the brilliance of the arrangement by Jack Nitzsche, and the timeless emotion of the lyrics ensure that "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" will continue to be celebrated, debated, and performed for decades to come, with its story evolving every single year.