Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Brickman enrolled in the Cleveland Institute of Music taking courses in composition and performance, while taking business classes at Case Western Reserve University. His music career started when he was nineteen, when Jim Henson hired him to write tunes for Sesame Street. He was also hired to write commercial jingles while in college.
Brickman writes a wide variety of music. Besides his piano compositions and love songs, he has also created arrangements of other songs. Several of his albums feature arrangements of children's music; he has produced two Christmas-themed albums The Gift (1997) and Peace (2003); and his 2005 album Grace concentrates on arrangements of well-known Christian music.
Jim Brickman has also starred in the now-on-DVD PBS specials "My Romance: An Evening with Jim Brickman", "Love Songs & Lullabies" and "The Disney Songbook." In 2006, he sponsored his first Jim Brickman Valentine's Day Cruise with Carnival Cruise Lines which has become an annual event.
Silent Night
Jim Brickman Lyrics
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It was quite a sight to see
With whispers and bells and angel wings
And you were holding me
And the snow came down that silent night
Still there in my memory
With the crackle of the fire and
And you were holding me
And the world spins round
And the seasons change
Letting go moving on and
Nothing stays the same
Winter turns to Spring and
Summer turns to Fall
Our shadows on the wall, I still can see
When I was holding you and
You were holding me
And the back roads, thеy turn into highways
And most days I still hear your song
Almost makes it worth leaving whеn
I hear you singing
Love, won't you sing me back home
And the world spins round
And the seasons change
Letting go moving on and
Nothing stays the same
Winter turns to Spring and
Summer turns to Fall
Our shadows on the wall, I still can see
When I was holding you and
You were holding me
And the snow came down that silent night
It was quite a sight to see
With whispers and bells and angel wings
And you were holding me
And the world spins round
And the seasons change
Letting go moving on and
Nothing stays the same
Winter turns to Spring and
Summer turns to Fall
Now it won't be long at all
What a joy it will be
On that silent night when I'm holding
You and you are holding me
The lyrics of Jim Brickman's song "Silent Night" evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing for a love that has been lost but still deeply cherished. The imagery of the snow falling on a silent night creates a serene and magical atmosphere, symbolizing the beauty and purity of their past relationship. The mention of whispers and bells, as well as angel wings, suggests a heavenly presence, perhaps hinting at the memory of their love being something ethereal and divine.
Throughout the song, Brickman reminisces about the moments they shared together, particularly a specific silent night that remains vivid in his memory. He recalls the crackle of the fire and the echoes of a choir, painting a picture of warmth and togetherness. The phrase "And you were holding me" is repeated multiple times, emphasizing the significance of that physical and emotional connection they once had.
As the song progresses, Brickman reflects on the passage of time and the changes that occur in life. He acknowledges that everything is transient, from the seasons to their own relationship. Winter turns to spring, and summer turns to fall, emphasizing the impermanence of everything. Despite these changes, however, the singer still holds onto the memories of their love. The line "Our shadows on the wall, I still can see" implies that even though they are no longer together, the impact of their love lingers and can still be felt.
The closing lines of the song suggest a bittersweet hope for the future. The back roads are now highways, representing the journey of life and the paths they have taken separately. The singer yearns to hear their loved one's song again, like a distant echo of their shared love. The final repetition of "On that silent night when I'm holding you and you are holding me" reveals a longing for reunion, an anticipation of a future moment when they can be together again.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, the snow came down that silent night
The peaceful snowfall occurred during that quiet night
It was quite a sight to see
It was truly a beautiful scene
With whispers and bells and angel wings
Soft sounds and joyful melodies filled the air, accompanied by a heavenly presence
And you were holding me
You were embracing me, providing comfort and love
Still there in my memory
It remains vividly imprinted in my mind even now
With the crackle of the fire
The sound of the fire's gentle popping
And the echoes of the choir
Resonating voices from the choir reverberated
And you were holding me
You continued to hold me close
And the world spins round
The world keeps moving and changing
And the seasons change
The seasons transition from one to another
Letting go moving on and
Releasing and progressing forward
Nothing stays the same
Nothing remains unchanged
Winter turns to Spring
The cold winter transforms into the vibrant spring
And Summer turns to Fall
The hot summer transitions into the colorful fall
Our shadows on the wall, I still can see
I can still visualize our shadows on the wall
When I was holding you
During the time when I embraced you
And you were holding me
When you were also holding onto me
And the back roads, they turn into highways
The small, secluded roads transform into major highways
And most days I still hear your song
On most days, I can still hear the melody you used to sing
Almost makes it worth leaving when
It almost justifies leaving behind what I know
I hear you singing
When I hear your voice filled with song
Love, won't you sing me back home
Love, please sing me back to the place I call home
Now it won't be long at all
It will not take much time
What a joy it will be
How delightful it will be
On that silent night when I'm holding
During that peaceful night when I'm embracing
You and you are holding me
When you, in turn, hold onto me
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TOM DOUGLAS, JIM BRICKMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind