"You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" is a Christmas song originally done for the 1966 animated feature How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The lyrics were written by Dr. Seuss, the music was written by Albert Hague, and the lyrics were performed by Thurl Ravenscroft.
Because Ravenscroft was not credited in the closing credits of the special, it is often mistakenly attributed to Boris Karloff, who served as narrator and speaking voice of the Grinch in the special.
Ravenscroft recorded two versions, one for the television special and another for the soundtrack. The two differ in the order of the verses, the instrumentation (the soundtrack version's accompaniment is more straightforward and features fewer instruments and "sound effect" musical events than the version heard during the special), and the transitions between verses (the soundtrack's transitions are shorter and less abrupt).
Since then, it has been remade by several other artists:
- Thurl Ravenscroft, the original
- Jim Carrey, for the 2000 live action version of the film
- Gary Hoey, guitar instrumental
- Sixpence None the Richer
- Rockapella, a cappella
- Marty Gold Children's Chorus
- Whirling Dervishes, titled just "Grinch", on the Grinch EP
- Mojo Nixon & Toadliquors, titled "Mr. Grinch," on the Horny Holidays album
- Deanna Kirk, on the album Where Are You Now
- Bus Stop, titled "Grinch," on the album Miracle Time!
- Blue Meanies, titled "Hey Mr. Grinch," on the A Very Punk Christmas compilation
- Brian Setzer Orchestra, from the Dig That Crazy Christmas album
- Go Fish, titled "The Grinch Song" from the More Than a Story album * Hugo Lugo, on the "Buoppie Stew: Originals And Covers" album
- Dweezil Zappa
- Bob Malone
- The Coats, on the Album "On Christmas Time"
- Crash Test Dummies
- The Asylum Street Spankers
- RuPaul, on the album Ho, Ho, Ho
- Aimee Mann, on the album One More Drifter in the Snow
- Ron Thal, as a part of his solo live in a Guns N' Roses concert before Christmas.
