Cyprus-born (of Armenian ancestry) Canadian-American songwriter, singer, guitarist, actor, and voice actor specializing in jazz, blues, and Tin Pan Alley classics. Recognized by his Panama hat, dark sunglasses, and black tie, he first appeared on stage in Toronto, Canada, in the early 1970s. As well as music, he also appeared on film and television in acting and voice-over roles.
Redbone, who had a distinctive deep voice, began his career in the 1970s. His work encompassed pre-war jazz, ragtime, & blues styles with modern arrangements that still retain a vintage feel.
While living in Canada in the early 1970s, Redbone began performing in public at Toronto area nightclubs and folk music festivals. At one point, it was rumored that he was actually comedian Andy Kaufman, who sometimes took on other identities, or Frank Zappa, who somewhat resembled Redbone. However, Redbone has performed since the deaths of Kaufman and Zappa, and the rumors have subsided. David Letterman once proposed that he was Don Novello, the comedian famous for playing Father Guido Sarducci.
In 1974, Rolling Stone magazine ran a feature article on Redbone, a full year before he had a recording contract. The article described his performances as "so authentic you can hear the surface noise [of an old 78 rpm]." His first album, On the Track, was released by Warner Bros. Records in 1975. He was introduced to a larger public as a semi-regular musical guest on NBC's Saturday Night Live throughout the late 1970s and into the 1980s. In a late-'70s appearance on the The Merv Griffin Show, he was introduced as "Andy Kaufman ...maybe or maybe not," alluding to the eccentric comedian as being his possible true identity.
During the 1980s-90s Redbone was a frequent guest on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. It was apparent from the on-air exchanges between host and guest that Carson was a fan of Redbone's work.
Redbone survived the crash of a small plane in Clarksburg WV on Feb. 12, 1979.
Frosty the Snowman
Leon Redbone Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With a corn cob pipe and a button nose
And two eyes made out of coal
Frosty the snowman is a fairy tale they say
He was made of snow
But the children know how he came to life one day
There must of been some magic in
But when they placed it on his head
He began to dance around
Frosty the snowman was alive as he could be
And the children say he could laugh and play
Just the same as you and me
Frosty the snowman knew the sun was hot that day
So he said lets run and we'll have some fun before I melt away
Down to the village with a broom stick in his hand
Runnin' here and there all around the square
Sayin' catch me if you can
He led them down the streets of town
Right to that traffic cop
And he only paused a moment when he heard him holler stop
Frosty the snowman
Had to hurry on his way
But he waved goodbye sayin' don't you cry
I'll be back again some day
Look at Frosty go
Over the hills of snow
The lyrics to Leon Redbone's version of Frosty the Snowman tell the story of a beloved winter icon who magically comes to life through the power of a silk hat. Frosty is described as a jolly and happy snowman, adorned with simple accessories like a corn cob pipe, a button nose, and two coal eyes. Although Frosty is said to be a fairytale, the children in the story know that he indeed came to life through some sort of magic that lies within the silk hat they found. As soon as the hat is placed on Frosty's head, he comes alive and starts dancing around.
The song then goes on to describe Frosty's adventures with the children who brought him to life. He is depicted as being just like any other child, capable of laughing and playing, but with one significant difference - Frosty knows that he is made of snow and that he will eventually melt away. This realization doesn't stop Frosty from leading the children on a wild adventure through the village with a broomstick in hand, taunting the townspeople with a playful game of "catch me if you can." Frosty is eventually faced with the reality of melting away, and he must say goodbye to the children he led on an unforgettable adventure. He promises that he will return someday, demonstrating the immortal qualities of childhood joy and imagination.
Line by Line Meaning
Frosty the snowman was a jolly happy soul
Frosty the snowman was a very cheerful and joyful character
With a corn cob pipe and a button nose
He had a smoking pipe made out of corn and his nose was made of a small button
And two eyes made out of coal
Frosty's eyes were made of coal
Frosty the snowman is a fairy tale they say
People believe Frosty is a fictional character
He was made of snow
Frosty's body consists of snow
But the children know how he came to life one day
The children have an idea about how Frosty became alive
There must of been some magic in
It's most probably that some magic occurred
That ol' silk hat they found
It might have been the old silk hat they found
But when they placed it on his head
But it's when they put the hat on his head
He began to dance around
Frosty started to move around and dance
Frosty the snowman was alive as he could be
Frosty was fully alive, just as much as any other living being
And the children say he could laugh and play
The children claim that he had the ability to laugh and play
Just the same as you and me
He was similar to us, humans, in his behavior
Frosty the snowman knew the sun was hot that day
Frosty was aware that it was a hot day and he could melt away
So he said lets run and we'll have some fun before I melt away
He suggested that they should have fun before he melts away due to the hot sun
Down to the village with a broom stick in his hand
Frosty went to the village while holding a broomstick
Runnin' here and there all around the square
Frosty was running and moving around the village square
Sayin' catch me if you can
He challenged the children to catch him
He led them down the streets of town
Frosty took the children along the streets of the town
Right to that traffic cop
Frosty and the children went directly to the traffic police officer of that area
And he only paused a moment when he heard him holler stop
He stopped for a moment when the traffic cop shouted at him to stop
Frosty the snowman
Frosty, the snowman
Had to hurry on his way
Frosty had to continue his journey quickly
But he waved goodbye sayin' don't you cry
He said farewell and asked the children not to cry
I'll be back again some day
Frosty promised to return some day
Look at Frosty go
Observe Frosty as he goes
Over the hills of snow
Frosty is going over the snow-covered hills
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jack Rollins, Steve Nelson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Joe Biggs
My favorite Frosty the Snowman rendition ever! The two most unique voices and people together to sing the song. Just incredible!
James Petrovsky
One of my favorite Christmas songs ever!
Suz Phillips
Reprising it together in Heaven now. RIP Leon Redbone and Dr. John.
Blehkelekwet
RIP KodaK film
Michael Tobin
"Apparently, musician heaven is somewhere in the southern hemisphere..." - June, 2019. R.I.P. Leon & Mac, hope it's always Christmas wherever u are.
Anne DuFour
Leon Redbone and Dr. John are a perfect pair. I miss so many wonderful artists. God Bless Them All.
Amy J
Hands-down best version of this song...
Daniel Landry
Boy they killed it!!!!
Steve Swan
He did the first recording of the song in 1950.
MarcellusTheGreen
Didn't Gene Autry do a version of this song way back when?