note the spelling Willson ... www.last.fm/music/Meredith+Willson
Born Robert Meredith Reiniger in Mason City, Iowa, Willson attended Damrosch Institute (later The Juilliard School) in New York City. A flute and piccolo player, Willson was a member of John Philip Sousa's band (1921 - 1923) and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra under Arturo Toscanini (1924 - 1929). Willson then moved to San Francisco, California as the concert director for KFRC, and then as a musical director for the NBC radio network in Hollywood.
His work for films included the music for Charlie Chaplin's 1940 film The Great Dictator, for which he was nominated for an Academy Award. During World War II, he worked for the United States' Armed Forces Radio Service. His work with the AFRS teamed him with George Burns, Gracie Allen and Bill Goodwin. (He would work with all three as the bandleader, and a regular character, on the Burns and Allen radio program.) Returning to network radio after WWII, he created the Talking People, a choral group which spoke in unison while delivering radio commercials.
Willson's most famous work, The Music Man, premiered on Broadway in 1957 and was adapted twice for film (in 1962 and 2003). He referred to the play as "an Iowan's attempt to pay tribute to his home state." It took Willson some eight years and thirty revisions to complete the musical, for which he wrote more than forty songs. The cast recording of The Music Man won the very first Grammy award ever issued.
His second musical, The Unsinkable Molly Brown, ran on Broadway for 532 performances from 1960 to 1962 and was made into a 1964 motion picture starring Debbie Reynolds.
His third (and apparently last) musical was an adaptation of the film Miracle On 34th Street, called Here's Love! (1963).
His Symphony No. 1 In F Minor, A Symphony Of San Francisco, and Symphony No. 2 In E Minor, Missions Of California, were recorded in 1999 by William T. Stromberg conducting the Moscow State Symphony Orchestra.
Willson penned a number of very well-known songs, such as "Seventy-Six Trombones," "Gary Indiana," "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas," and even "Till There Was You," which was a hit for the Beatles in 1963. He also wrote the University of Iowa's fight song.
In general, it was recognized that Willson wrote surprisingly well-crafted, complex, and subtle music that classical music fans could appreciate, with intricate and sometimes startling counterpoint, well-crafted melody, and subtle orchestration, all while still appealing to mass audiences.
Willson and his wife lived for years in the Mandeville Canyon section of Brentwood, California. In the 1960s, Willson was fondly remembered by friends and neighbors as a warm and gregarious host who loved nothing more than to play the piano and sing at numerous parties. Willson often gave out autographed copies of his record album, Meredith Willson Sings Songs from The Music Man.
It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas
Meredith Wilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everywhere you go
Take a look at the five and ten, it's glistening once again
With candy canes and silver lanes that glow
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Toys in every store
But the prettiest sight to see is the holly that will be
On your own front door
Is the wish of Barney and Ben
Dolls that'll talk and will go for a walk
Is the hope of Janice and Jen
cnd Mom and Dad can hardly wait for school to start again
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Everywhere you go
There's a tree in the Grand Hotel, one in the park as well
It's the sturdy kind that doesn't mind the snow
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Soon the bells will start
cnd the thing that'll make 'em ring is the carol that you sing
Right within your heart
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Toys in every store
But the prettiest sight to see is the holly that will be
On your own front door
Sure, it's Christmas once more
"It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" is a festive and joyful song that encapsulates the anticipation and excitement surrounding the holiday season. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the holiday atmosphere and decorations that can be seen everywhere during this time of year. The song sets the scene by describing how Christmas is starting to become apparent in various places. The reference to the five and ten, which was a common type of variety store in the mid-20th century, suggests that even the most ordinary places are transformed into winter wonderlands during Christmas.
The lyrics also mention specific elements that contribute to the Christmas ambiance, such as candy canes, silver lanes, and holly on front doors. These details highlight the decorations and traditional symbols associated with the holiday. The mention of toys in every store serves as a reminder of the joy and excitement that Christmas brings, particularly for children. The wishes of specific characters, like Barney, Ben, Janice, and Jen, further emphasize the anticipation and desire for special gifts during this time.
Moreover, the song acknowledges the presence of Christmas trees in prominent places like the Grand Hotel and the park, symbolizing the widespread celebration and the resilience of the holiday spirit, even in the face of snow and wintry weather. Lastly, the lyrics mention that the carols sung from the heart are the true essence of Christmas and contribute to the festive atmosphere.
Line by Line Meaning
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
The signs of Christmas are becoming more evident
Everywhere you go
No matter where you look
Take a look at the five and ten, it's glistening once again
Observe the small shops, sparkling and festive
With candy canes and silver lanes that glow
Decorated with candy canes and shining streets
Toys in every store
Stores are filled with toys
But the prettiest sight to see is the holly that will be
However, the most beautiful sight is the holly decoration
On your own front door
Found on the entrance to your own home
A pair of Hopalong boots and a pistol that shoots
Hopalong boots and shooting pistols are desired gifts
Is the wish of Barney and Ben
Barney and Ben hope to receive those gifts
Dolls that'll talk and will go for a walk
Talking and walking dolls are hoped for
Is the hope of Janice and Jen
Janice and Jen wish for those dolls
And Mom and Dad can hardly wait for school to start again
Parents are excited for school to begin once more
There's a tree in the Grand Hotel, one in the park as well
Both the Grand Hotel and the park have Christmas trees
It's the sturdy kind that doesn't mind the snow
These trees can handle the snow without any problems
Soon the bells will start
Before long, the ringing of bells will commence
And the thing that'll make 'em ring is the carol that you sing
The song you sing will cause the bells to ring
Right within your heart
Deep in your heart
Sure, it's Christmas once more
Indeed, it is Christmas once again
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@darrenyang9765
Even though it is July you have to get in the holiday spirit
@MF-dz7cp
I played this song in band for Christmas and it's been stuck in my head for the whole year 🤣
@leo_Pop_03
Thank goodness I’ve found this exact piece, and as a senior from Jack Britt High School Band in Fayetteville NC, I have a really great piece at measure 43, since I play low woodwind instrument like a Baritone (Bari Sax). This part is really good with sousaphones, and all of this sudden, I still play all of saxophones and I mean, there are some really great moments with tenor saxophones along with the Trombone parts. This piece is so good to play and can’t wait to play it on December 10th winter concert!!!
@kelslynn944
I'm getting into the Christmas spirit and it's only March almost April but idk cause Christmas is my favorite holiday. 🎄🎊🎀🎁
@serenas3063
Christmas is my favourite holiday
@CaitlinPearson12304
I mean July is the perfect time to start practicing if you want to be perfect for christmas
@Nautica254
exactly
@canalbandashow
Very Nice Song 😍
@mgdwstnr
Merry Christmas😁🎁🎄
@mariar.4893
IT IS JULY YOU D E M O N S