In 1983, she travelled to Toronto to seek a musical career. In 1986, she founded a trio with bassist David Piltch and pianist Aaron Davis. Offered a record deal in 1989, the Holly Cole Trio released an EP, Christmas Blues, that year, which featured a version of The Pretenders' "2,000 Miles". This was followed by their first full album, Girl Talk, in 1990.
A succession of releases followed through the early 1990s. For example, 1991's Blame It On My Youth, covered songs by Tom Waits ("Purple Avenue", aka "Empty Pockets"), Lyle Lovett ("God Will"), includes show tunes such as "If I Were a Bell" (from Guys and Dolls) and "On the Street Where You Live" (from My Fair Lady), and even remakes "Trust In Me", from Disney's The Jungle Book, into a strikingly sultry and sinister song of seduction and death. Also recorded in this period was "Alison", a reinterpretation of Elvis Costello's original.
Following 1993's Don't Smoke in Bed, the trio released a CD entirely of songs by Tom Waits, called Temptation. With this 1995 release, the "Trio" was dropped from the group's name.
Cole next went into a two-album flirtation with pop music, perhaps keeping with the "diva" fad of the late 90s. These albums, Dark Dear Heart (1997) and Romantically Helpless (2000) veered further from jazz by introducing pop elements to Cole's sound.
In 2001, she returned to the Christmas jazz roots of her first CD with Baby It's Cold Outside, which included such should-be classics as "Christmas Time is Here" (from A Charlie Brown Christmas), "Santa Baby", and the title track. Swapping cold for hot, she moved to a Summer theme in 2003's Shade, this time reinterpreting Cole Porter ("Too Darn Hot"), Irving Berlin ("Heatwave"), and The Beach Boys' Brian Wilson ("God Only Knows").
Cole's latest album, Holly Cole (originally entitled This House Is Haunted) was released in Canada in March 2007. It was released in the US in January 2008 and was followed by a US tour.
Cole tours frequently, particularly around the holiday season, in Canada. She was also a part of the 1999 Lilith Fair tour.
Christmas Time Is Here
Holly Cole Lyrics
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Happiness and cheer
Fun for all that children call
Their favorite time of the year
Snowflakes in the air
Carols everywhere
Olden times and ancient rhymes
Sleigh bells in the air
Beauty everywhere
Yuletide by the fireside
And joyful memories there
Christmas time is here
We'll be drawing near
Oh, that we could always see
Such spirit through the year
Oh, that we could always see
Such spirit through the year
In Holly Cole's rendition of "Christmas Time Is Here," the lyrics evoke a sense of whimsy and nostalgia that is associated with the holiday season. The first stanza speaks to children's excitement at this time of year, while the second stanza speaks to the traditional aspects of Christmas, such as carols, love, and dreams. The third stanza continues with descriptions of the joys of the season, including beauty and joyful memories, culminating in the desire expressed in the fourth stanza for the Christmas spirit to last throughout the year.
The lyrics effectively capture the essence of Christmas as a time of joy, togetherness, and celebration. They acknowledge both the traditional elements of the holiday and the sense of excitement that it brings to children. Moreover, they express a longing for the kind of giving, love, and good cheer that permeates the season to be present throughout the year. Overall, the song's lyrics are evocative and poignant, reminding us of what is most important at this special time of year.
Line by Line Meaning
Christmas time is here
The holiday season has arrived
Happiness and cheer
A time of joy and celebration
Fun for all that children call
The excitement of Christmas for kids
Their favorite time of the year
Christmas is the most anticipated time for kids
Snowflakes in the air
Winter weather accompanies the holiday
Carols everywhere
Traditional songs fill the air
Olden times and ancient rhymes
Remembering the traditions of Christmases past
Of love and dreams to share
Sharing hopes and affections with loved ones during the season
Sleigh bells in the air
The sound of the holidays
Beauty everywhere
The decorations and festivities make everything look beautiful
Yuletide by the fireside
The coziness of the holidays indoors
And joyful memories there
Nostalgia for past Christmases with loved ones
We'll be drawing near
We are approaching Christmas
Oh, that we could always see
Expressing a desire to keep the holiday spirit year-round
Such spirit through the year
The feeling of love and goodwill towards others that is often associated with Christmas
Lyrics © DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Capitol CMG Publishing, LEE MENDELSON FILM PROD., INC., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Vince Guaraldi, Lee Maurice Mendelson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind