BC Clark, lights on the house going on for the first glow, family home for the holidays, checking in facebook/phones with those who are not, and missing those who remain with us only in our memories .... ah the early signs of the Christmas season.
You are a true Okie if you know that by heart!
Hey, until just a few years ago, BC Clark used to videotape folks singing the jingle at various malls, then splice them all together for their Christmas commercials. Why'd they stop doing that??
This Oklahoma tradition goes nationwide.
http://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/...e-841114691531
Quite a few years ago, a line was removed from the jingle.
"the Christmas wish from BC Clark is to keep on pleasing you" was removed to shorten it up a bit.
My understanding is that was done to get the jingle to fit in a 30-second spot, something that was as important when it was first created.
Very cool to see this on the national news, especially since I've know the Clarks since I was a little kid. They are incredibly nice people.
^^ Your're right Pete. The change came about in the mid 70's to fit shorter 30 second time slots.
It has become almost a Christmas carol in ltself. I remember growing up in the 60's it was as much a part of Christmas as anything else around town.
Best 300.00 they ever spent on advertising.
Even adjusted for inflation ($2,647.67), it doesn't seem that bad.
You don't realize how important that jingle is to the Christmas season until you move to a place that doesn't have it. Christmas certainly doesn't feel the same without hearing that jingle on the radio several times a day.
I read that the jingle was created in 1957, and in 1961, they replaced it with a new one, which was met by strong objection from the public, so the old jingle returned
and has been a mainstay ever since.
I'm a big fan of how the family members actually work at the stores. We're closest to the downtown location, and there are always two or more Clarks there when we go in. They don't make a big deal about who they are--just take care of you like any other employee would.
I moved to Oklahoma 4 years ago and am still utterly fascinated by the whole phenomenon. Hearing it played at Christmas concerts, hearing it everywhere you go, and everyone knowing the lyrics. We have nothing like this back east as far as I can tell. I casually mentioned to my Uber driver the other week that I didn't know the words and she nearly slammed on her brakes on I-44 to express her shock.
As a small child, I appeared on the commercial in 1983. Was in Northpark Mall with my family when they asked me if I wanted to sing it. As an adult I sometimes get on the website and impress (bore?) my friends and co-workers.
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