Barlow's first album, Sings, was released in 1998. She has received seven nominations for Canada's Juno Awards with her album Seule ce soir winning for best Jazz Vocal Recording in 2013 and Clear Day winning the same award in 2016. Seule ce soir also won Album of the Year – Jazz Interpretation at the 2013 ADISQ Awards. Barlow was also nominated for the Jack Richardson Producer of the Year Award at the 2016 Juno Awards.
Barlow was named Female Vocalist of the Year at the 2008 National Jazz Awards. She has named as influences Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, and Stevie Wonder.
Barlow has voiced various characters for animated television series, including Sailor Mars and Sailor Venus in Sailor Moon, Courtney, Laurie and Ellody in the Total Drama series, Chrissy in 6teen, Mrs. Ridgemount in Stoked, Bunny in Almost Naked Animals and Theresa Falcone (MacDougall) in Fugget About It.
Born in Toronto to parents who were professional musicians, Barlow grew up in recording studios and by age seven had begun a career singing television and radio commercials.
She was encouraged by her parents to sing and study several instruments including piano, cello, clarinet, and violin. Barlow studied voice at the Etobicoke School of Arts and music theory and arranging at Humber College.
Barlow's grandfathers were ventriloquist Cy Leonard and actor Bob Homme (who played The Friendly Giant). Her father is award-winning jazz drummer Brian Barlow (aka Brian Leonard). Her mother, Judy Tate, is a composer, arranger and singer. Her uncle was Richard Homme, a Canadian jazz bassist who died 6 May 2011.
Sleigh Ride
Emilie-Claire Barlow Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you
Outside the snow is falling and friends are calling "yoo hoo",
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you.
Giddy yap, giddy yap, giddy yap,
Let's go! Let's look at the show,
We're riding in a wonderland of snow.
Giddy yap, giddy yap, giddy yap,
We're gliding along with a song of a wintry fairy land
Our cheeks are nice and rosy and comfy cozy are we
We're snuggled up together like two birds of a feather would be
Let's take that road before us and sing a chorus or two
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you.
There's a birthday party at the home of Farmer Gray
It'll be the perfect ending a perfect day
We'll be singing the songs
We love to sing without a single stop
At the fireplace while we watch
The chestnuts pop. pop! pop! pop!
There's a happy feeling nothing in the world can buy
When they pass around the coffee and the pumpkin pie
It'll nearly be like a picture print by Currier and Ives
These wonderful things are the things
We remember all through our lives!
These wonderful things are the things
We remember all through our lives!
Just hear those sleigh bells jingling, ring ting ting-a-ling too
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you
Outside the snow is falling and friends are calling "yoo hoo",
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you.
The lyrics to "Sleigh Ride" by Emilie-Claire Barlow describe the joy and excitement of going on a sleigh ride with a loved one. The song begins with the sound of sleigh bells ringing, setting the scene for the wintery adventure. As the two ride together in the snowy wonderland, they are surrounded by the beauty of nature and the company of friends. The chorus repeats the message that this is the perfect weather for a sleigh ride with the one you love. In the second verse, the lyrics depict a cozy scene where the couple snuggles up together like two birds of a feather, while they enjoy the sound of their own singing and the popping of chestnuts. The lyrics sing of the happy feeling that fills one’s heart during these special moments and how it cannot be bought by any material object. The final chorus invites everyone to enjoy this perfect weather and the wonderful memories that last a lifetime.
Overall, “Sleigh Ride” evokes the sentimental feelings we all experience during the winter holidays. We recall cherished memories of spending time with loved ones, singing beloved songs, and enjoying the beauty of winter scenery. It reminds us of the importance of connection with one another and the happiness that is gained through simple joys.
Line by Line Meaning
Just hear those sleigh bells jingling, ring ting ting-a-ling too
Let's listen to the festive sound of the sleigh bells ringing and the cheerful melody of the ride.
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you
The weather outside is pleasant and perfect to embark on a sleigh ride with a companion like you.
Outside the snow is falling and friends are calling "yoo hoo"
Our surroundings are covered in snow which has a magical effect, and our friends are calling us to join them.
Giddy yap, giddy yap, giddy yap
Let's encourage the horse to move faster through the snow with some joyful sounds.
Let's go! Let's look at the show, We're riding in a wonderland of snow.
We are moving in a magical and picturesque realm of snow, so let's enjoy the ride and the breathtaking scenery.
It's grand! Just holding your hand. We're gliding along with a song of a wintry fairy land
The experience is wonderful, the only thing that can make it better is being close and holding hands, and along the way, we get to sing songs related to the snowy environment we're in.
Our cheeks are nice and rosy and comfy cozy are we
The cold weather might be harsh, but we're both comfortable and warm with a healthy, rosy glow on our faces.
We're snuggled up together like two birds of a feather would be
We are holding each other tight and snuggled up just as two small birds would huddle together for warmth.
Let's take that road before us and sing a chorus or two. Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you.
Let's take the opportunity to sing together and make the most out of the lovely weather and the path ahead.
There's a birthday party at the home of Farmer Gray. It'll be the perfect ending a perfect day. We'll be singing the songs we love to sing without a single stop
We have a chance to complete a perfect day with a birthday party at Farmer Gray's house, surrounded by love and good music.
At the fireplace while we watch the chestnuts pop. Pop! Pop! Pop!
We can sit in front of the fireplace while watching the chestnuts pop and enjoy each other's company.
There's a happy feeling nothing in the world can buy, when they pass around the coffee and the pumpkin pie
The happiness we feel inside can't be bought as we share coffee and pie, which symbolize the warmth and coziness of a winter holiday.
It'll nearly be like a picture print by Currier and Ives
Our time together will be so perfect that it will feel like a moment captured in a classical painting by Currier and Ives.
These wonderful things are the things we remember all through our lives!
These are the memories that will stick with us forever and define the essence of winter holiday experiences.
Just hear those sleigh bells jingling, ring ting ting-a-ling too
As we conclude the ride, let's enjoy the sound of the sleigh bells jingling, marking the end of a perfect day with a perfect person.
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you
And let's remember that any future winters we spend together, we can always take a sleigh ride and relive these wonderful memories.
Writer(s): PARISH MITCHELL, ANDERSON LEROY
Contributed by Alyssa S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.