who wrote rudolph the red-nosed reindeer song

The song "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" was written by Johnny Marks in 1949. Marks was a songwriter who worked in Tin Pan Alley, the New York City music industry that flourished in the early 20th century. Marks was inspired to write the song after hearing a story about a young reindeer with a shiny nose who was ostracized by his peers due to his unique appearance. Marks decided to write a song celebrating the power of individuality and embracing one's differences. The song quickly became a holiday classic and has been performed by many artists over the years.