Coming to prominence in the 1920s as an inventive trumpet and cornet player, Armstrong was a foundational influence in jazz, shifting the focus of the music from collective improvisation to solo performance. With his instantly-recognizable gravelly voice, Armstrong was also an influential singer, demonstrating great dexterity as an improviser, bending the lyrics and melody of a song for expressive purposes. He was also skilled at scat singing (vocalizing using sounds and syllables instead of actual lyrics).
Renowned for his charismatic stage presence and voice almost as much as for his trumpet-playing, Armstrong's influence extends well beyond jazz music, and by the end of his career in the 1960s, he was widely regarded as a profound influence on popular music in general. Armstrong was one of the first truly popular African-American entertainers to "cross over", whose skin-color was secondary to his music in an America that was severely racially divided. He rarely publicly politicized his race, often to the dismay of fellow African-Americans, but took a well-publicized stand for desegregation during the Little Rock Crisis. His artistry and personality allowed him socially acceptable access to the upper echelons of American society that were highly restricted for a black man.
Armstrong was born and brought up in New Orleans, a culturally diverse town with a unique musical mix of creole, ragtime, marching bands, and blues. Although from an early age he was able to play music professionally, he didn't travel far from New Orleans until 1922, when he went to Chicago to join his mentor, King Oliver. Oliver's band played primitive jazz, a hotter style of ragtime, with looser rhythms and more improvisation, and Armstrong's role was mostly backing. Slow to promote himself, he was eventually persuaded by his wife Lil Hardin to leave Oliver, and In 1924 he went to New York to join the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra. At the time, there were a few other artists using the rhythmic innovations of the New Orleans style, but none did it with the energy and brilliance of Armstrong, and he quickly became a sensation among New York musicians. Back in Chicago in 1925, he made his first recordings with his own group, Louis Armstrong and his Hot Five, and these became not only popular hits but also models for the first generation of jazz musicians, trumpeters or otherwise.
Other hits followed through the twenties and thirties, as well as troubles: crooked managers, lip injuries, mob entanglements, failed big-band ventures. As jazz styles changed, though, musical purists never lost any respect for him -- although they were sometimes irritated by his hammy onstage persona. Around the late forties, with the help of a good manager, Armstrong's business affairs finally stablilized, and he began to be seen as an elder statesman of American popular entertainment, appearing in Hollywood films, touring Asia and Europe, and dislodging The Beatles from the number-one position with Hello Dolly". Today many people may know him as a singer (a good one), but as Miles Davis said: βYou canβt play nothing on modern trumpet that doesnβt come from him."
The 62-year-old Armstrong became the oldest act to top the US charts when "Hello Dolly" reached #1 in 1964. Four years later Satchmo also became the oldest artist to record a UK #1, when "What a Wonderful World" hit the top spot.
The Christmas Song
Louis Armstrong Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like Eskimos
Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
Help to make the season bright
Tiny little tots with their eyes all aglow
They know that Santa's on his way
He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
And ev'ry mother's child is gonna spy
To see if reindeer really know how to fly
So I'm offering this simple phrase
To kids from one to ninety-two
Although' it's been said many times, many ways
"Merry Christmas to you"
Love and joy come to you
And to you your carol too
And God bless you and send you
A happy New Year
And God send you
A happy New Year
The Christmas Song, often known as Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire, is a holiday classic that has been covered by many artists, but the original version by Nat King Cole remains the most popular. The song's lyrics are full of imagery related to Christmas, such as chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose, and yuletide carols being sung by a choir. The lyrics also emphasize the joy and excitement of the holiday season, with references to turkey and mistletoe, children with their eyes aglow, and Santa Claus on his way with lots of toys and goodies.
However, the lyrics also contain a more subtle message about the importance of family and togetherness during the holidays. The lines "And folks dressed up like Eskimos" and "To kids from one to ninety-two" suggest a universal celebration that brings people of all ages and backgrounds together. The final line, "Merry Christmas to you," is a simple but heartfelt wish for happiness that transcends material concerns and speaks to the deeper meaning of the season.
Overall, The Christmas Song is a beautiful and timeless tribute to the magic of Christmas and the joy it brings to people all over the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
As the chestnuts are being cooked on an open fire, the sense of warmth and togetherness prevails
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
In this cold weather, Jack Frost can be felt as a small bite on the nose, but it adds to the charm of the season
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir
The beautiful carols create a sense of peace, love, and joy and bring the community together
And folks dressed up like Eskimos
The people dress up warmly to join the festivities, and they could be seen wearing fur and woolen clothes, just like Eskimos
Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
These two things signify that the celebratory season of Christmas is here, and everyone could feel the excitement
Help to make the season bright
The presence of turkey and mistletoe brings light and joy to the season
Tiny little tots with their eyes all aglow
The excitement and wonder of the season are seen in the youngest members of the family who can hardly wait for Santa to arrive
Will find it hard to sleep tonight
Their eagerness makes it difficult for the children to sleep before Christmas morning when they'll receive their presents
They know that Santa's on his way
Every child knows that Santa is coming with his bag of gifts, which adds to their eagerness and excitement
He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
The kids know that Santa has brought lots of toys and treats for them, which makes them overjoyed
And ev'ry mother's child is gonna spy
Every child, regardless of whether they have been good or bad, is eager to catch a glimpse of Santa and his reindeer take off into the skies
To see if reindeer really know how to fly
Children are fascinated by the common Christmas folklore of flying reindeer, and they can't wait to see if it's true
So I'm offering this simple phrase
The singer wants to express his heartwarming message in a simple way
To kids from one to ninety-two
This message of goodwill is not limited by age, as everyone can appreciate the spirit of Christmas
Although' it's been said many times, many ways
The sentiment expressed here is not unique, but it still resonates with everyone who hears it
"Merry Christmas to you"
Wishing everyone a happy and blessed Christmas season filled with love, joy, and peace
Love and joy come to you
May the celebration of Christmas bring love and joy into the lives of people
And to you your carol too
May you also have your special song that fills your heart with joy
And God bless you and send you
As people celebrate Christmas, may they feel God's blessings and love
A happy New Year
As the old year ends, may it be replaced with a new year that is filled with prosperity, success, and happiness
And God send you
May God grant your wishes and bless your life with successes and achievements
A happy New Year
Wishing everyone happiness and joy in the coming new year
Lyrics Β© Kanjian Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Mel Torme, Robert Wells
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rabiademir1729
I love you Louis Armstrong!βοΈπ
@M007qtrvlogs
Love u 2
@pippilotta4468
This is the best Winterworldsong. Love Louis Armstrong
@beebatman6608
I love you Louie Armstrong!β€οΈ
you make everything seem so Happy π
Love walking in the winter wonderlandππβ¨οΈπ πππ§βππ
@christinamarti4441
You are totally missed πβ₯οΈthank you for the love
@themidknightmando3219
Gotta love Louis. Gotta love him.
@texas1345
I play this song every time I bust out a line. I love the snow!
@MC.STORM336
Nobody sings 'em quite like Louis.
@markherron1407
Congratulations on your 700th milestone and Happy Birthday to Louis Armstrong REST IN POWER and Merry Christmas ππ Blessings and Hugs ππππππππππππππππ
@Charlotte-on6wz
This is great !!!!!!