For the recordings of "Year of the Cat" Al put a classic Spanish guitar into Peter's hands and asked him to play on it for one song of the forthcoming album. That part became the opening of the well-known "On The Border". It were those recording sessions when Peter also worked with producer Alan Parsons of The Alan Parsons Project.
In 1978 he followed Al Stewart and moved to Los Angeles, CA. Around this time Peter's younger brother Danny felt the inspiration to form his own group, which would become Matt Bianco ("Bianco" is Italian for "White"). Temporarily the Al Stewart backing band was renamed to Shot in the Dark, which consisted basically of the crew (among them bass player Robin Lamble) which played on Al Stewart's 1980 and 1981 albums. Shot in the Dark alone only released one album in 1981; they disbanded when their record label closed down.
In the following years Peter became more and more involved in the L.A. music scene and played with the likes of Johnny Rivers (the "Secret Agent Man"), Bernie Leadon (after he left the Eagles), Susanna Hoffs (after she left The Bangles), Tori Amos (before she got famous), and Janis Ian ("At Seventeen"). Through this connection with Matt Bianco, Peter would contribute his guitar playing on albums of the band as well as later on with their lead singer Basia, also joining her on tours. In the late 80s he would discover that one of his neighbors, a man named Skipper Wise, was also a musician. Peter agreed to join him and his band Windows occasionally, playing guitar and keyboards on some of their records. When Skipper decided in 1988 to record a solo album (The Clock & The Moon) Peter agreed to support him, but asked for the same favor in return when it would come to his first solo album. Only one year later, in 1989, Peter White's first solo effort, Reveillez-Vous, was recorded and published, co-produced by Skipper Wise. A second release, Excusez-Moi, was finished in a similar fashion in 1992. Peter White became a leading smooth jazz musician and joined the "Guitars & Saxes" tour together with jazz musicians such as Richard Elliot, Warren Hill and Craig Chaquico.
The Christmas Song
Peter White Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Yule-tide 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 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 every mother's child is gonna spy
To see if reindeer really know how to fly.
And 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!
Peter White's The Christmas Song is a classic holiday tune that captures the essence of the season in its lyrics. The song paints a warm picture of a wintery day with imagery of roasting chestnuts and carolers singing in harmony. The first verse describes the setting with a picturesque scene of chestnuts roasting in an open fire and Jack Frost nipping at your nose. The second verse mentions the various traditions of Christmas, such as the turkey and mistletoe, and how they contribute to the festive season brightening up the night for everyone, especially the little ones, who find it hard to sleep on this exciting holiday.
Line by Line Meaning
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
The winter season is in full swing and people are enjoying roasting chestnuts on open fires to keep themselves warm.
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
The cold winter air creates icy conditions where Jack Frost causes people's noses to feel pinched.
Yule-tide carols being sung by a choir
The spirit of Christmas has brought people together in a choir to sing festive carols signaling the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
And folks dressed up like Eskimos.
People are bundled up in thick, warm clothes to protect themselves from the cold similar to Eskimos living in the cold Arctic region.
Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
During the season of Christmas, we associate certain things like turkey and mistletoe as symbols that generate merriment and festive mood among people.
Help to make the season bright
Enjoying the traditions of the Christmas season helps to create an atmosphere of happiness and hope.
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
Children are filled with anticipation and excitement, with the beauty and mysteries of Christmas lighting up their eyes with a gleam.
Will find it hard to sleep tonight.
Children are so energized by their expectations, that they will not be able to sleep easily despite being sleepy.
They know that Santa's on his way
All children believe that Santa Claus is on his way to bring presents to them.
He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
Santa has collected various presents and goodies for children all over the world that are being carried on his sleigh.
And every mother's child is gonna spy
All children, even babies, look forward to the morning of Christmas, and parents are aware of this excitement.
To see if reindeer really know how to fly.
Children believe that Santa flies in a magical sleigh carried by flying reindeer, which is a classic Christmas legend.
And so I'm offering this simple phrase
The singer is giving a message of goodwill and greeting to others during this special time.
To kids from one to ninety-two
This message is for everyone, from kids who are just born to grown-ups who have lived to 92 years of age.
Although it's been said many times, many ways
Despite having said this countless times in various ways, this phrase still carries the same essence and spirit of joy and festivity.
Merry Christmas to you!
Finally, the singer is conveying the spirit of the holiday season by wishing everyone a jolly Christmas.
Lyrics © Ceylon Records, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Mel Torme, Robert Wells
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
siemon j. franken
from days once quite poor,
Brooklyn,early'70's,
Russ,thanks for 'minders
. . . . . . . . . . .
'Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
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 tots with their eyes all aglow
Will find it hard to sleep tonight
They know that Santa’s on his way
He's loaded lots of toys and goodies
On his sleigh
And every mother's
Child is gonna spy to see if
Reindeer really know how to fly
And so, I'm offering this
Simple phrase to kids from
One to ninety-two
Altho' it's been said many times
Many ways
“Merry Christmas to you”...'
; 7 ]
FRED
I just love this song. Never heard an instrumental version until this beautiful creation ... a pure masterpiece.
Antonette Smith
Pp
Janie Villaroman
Great relaxing music .. Enjoy the Christmas Holiday with Peter White's soothing instrumental Christmas songs.
Bill Darnell
One of my absolute favorites of all time!
EuroTranceMaster
I must to say, this is very wonderful music by Peter White. Thanks for uploaded this! <3
Ken Murray
What a lovely mellow sound this guy creates. More please.
Dave C
This guy is an awesome talent you have to seen him concert show
pam guevara
Lovely Christmas jazz❤🤗👍🌲🤗🎉
TJoseph Yoakum
saw him at the River Raisin Jazz festival a few years back..EXCELLENT!
Unclett
Very uplifting even though its not Christmas.