<P> "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" is a children's Christmas song that was originally written and composed for the 1966 cartoon special How the Grinch Stole Christmas! </P> <P> The lyrics were written by Theodor "Dr. Seuss" Geisel, the music was composed by Albert Hague, and the song was performed by Thurl Ravenscroft . The song's lyrics describe the Grinch as being foul, bad - mannered and sinister, using increasingly creative put - downs, metaphors and similes, beginning with the opening line "you're a mean one, Mr. Grinch". </P> <P> 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 the voice of the Grinch in the special but who himself could not sing . Until Ravenscroft was publicly credited, Tennessee Ernie Ford was also speculated to be the voice behind the song . </P>

Who sang you're a mean one mr. grinch in 1966 tv short