The originator of the Wall of Sound production technique, Spector was a pioneer of the 1960s girl group sound (The Ronettes and The Crystals a.o.) and produced over twenty-five Top 40 hits between 1960 and 1965 alone. After this initial success, Spector later worked with artists including Ike and Tina Turner, John Lennon, George Harrison, and the Ramones with similar acclaim.
He produced the Beatles' Academy Award-winning album Let It Be, and the Grammy Award-winning Concert for Bangladesh by former Beatle George Harrison. In 1989, Spector was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a non-performer. The 1965 song You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin', produced and co-written by Spector for The Righteous Brothers, is listed by BMI as the song with the most U.S. airplay in the 20th century.
Dubbed the "First Tycoon of Teen", Spector's records helped engender the role of the studio as an instrument, the integration of pop art aesthetics into music (art pop), and the art rock genre. His multi-artist compilation album "A Christmas Gift for You from Philles Records" (1963) is widely considered to be the finest Christmas record of all time. Spector's honors include the 1973 Grammy Award for Album of the Year for co-producing Harrison's Concert for Bangladesh (1971), a 1989 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and a 1997 induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Spector number 63 on their list of the greatest artists in history.
The 2003 shooting death of actress Lana Clarkson in his Alhambra, California home led to his being charged with murder in the second degree. After a 2007 mistrial, he was convicted in 2009 and given a prison sentence of 19 years to life. Spector died in prison due to complications of the COVID-19 virus.
Silent Night
Phil Spector Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To say words that would express my feelings
About the album to which you have just listened
An album that has been in the planning for many, many months
First, let me thank all the people who worked so hard with me
In the production of this album and in my endeavor and desire
To bring something new and different to the music of Christmas
Of course, the biggest thanks goes to you
For giving me the opportunity to relate my feelings
Of Christmas through the music that I love
At this moment, I am very proud of all the artists
And on behalf of all of them, The Crystals, The Ronettes
Darlene Love, Bobby Soxx and the Blue Jeans, and myself
May we wish you the very merriest of Christmases
And the happiest of New Years, and thank you so very much
For letting us spend this Christmas with you
(Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace)
The lyrics to Phil Spector's song "Silent Night" are unique in that they start with a spoken word message from Phil Spector himself. Spector expresses difficulty in finding words to express his feelings about the album, which he says has been in planning for many months. He gives thanks to all the people who played a part in the production of the album and his personal mission to bring something new and different to the music of Christmas. Spector notes that he is proud of all the artists involved in the project, including The Crystals, The Ronettes, Darlene Love, Bobby Soxx and the Blue Jeans, and himself.
The second half of the spoken message contains the lyrics to the classic Christmas carol "Silent Night", with the addition of the parenthetical directive to the "holy infant" to "sleep in heavenly peace". The lyrics are performed in the distinctive Spector "wall of sound" style, with a lush arrangement of instrumentation and multiple vocal tracks, creating a rich and full sound.
Overall, the lyrics to "Silent Night" offer a unique inside look into the mind of a creator and producer, expressing thanks, pride, and a desire to bring something new and meaningful to a beloved musical genre.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello, this is Phil Spector, it is so difficult at this time
Phil Spector is finding it difficult at this time to express his feelings about the album you just listened to.
To say words that would express my feelings
Phil Spector is struggling to articulate his emotions about the album.
About the album to which you have just listened
Phil Spector is referring to the album that you have just finished listening to.
An album that has been in the planning for many, many months
The album has been planned for an extended period of time before it was released.
First, let me thank all the people who worked so hard with me
Phil Spector wants to thank everyone who contributed to the production of the album.
In the production of this album and in my endeavor and desire
Phil Spector acknowledges the effort put into the album's production and his own desire to create something unique.
To bring something new and different to the music of Christmas
Phil Spector aimed to add new, innovative music to the traditional Christmas repertoire.
And to the recording industry which is so much a part of my life
Phil Spector expresses his gratitude towards the recording industry, which plays a significant role in his life.
Of course, the biggest thanks goes to you
Phil Spector is most grateful to his listeners for giving him a platform to share his musical creations.
For giving me the opportunity to relate my feelings
Phil Spector appreciates the chance to express his emotions through his music.
Of Christmas through the music that I love
Phil Spector enjoys conveying his feelings about the holiday season through his preferred genre of music.
At this moment, I am very proud of all the artists
Phil Spector takes pride in the work of the many artists who contributed to the album.
And on behalf of all of them, The Crystals, The Ronettes
Phil Spector is speaking on behalf of the artists featured in the album, including The Crystals and The Ronettes.
Darlene Love, Bobby Soxx and the Blue Jeans, and myself
Phil Spector and other artists featured in the album like Darlene Love and Bobby Soxx contributed to its production.
May we wish you the very merriest of Christmases
Phil Spector and the other artists featured in the album extend their wishes to the listeners for a joyous Christmas season.
And the happiest of New Years, and thank you so very much
Phil Spector and the other artists featured in the album also thank the listeners for their support and wish them a happy New Year.
For letting us spend this Christmas with you
Phil Spector and the other artists featured in the album are grateful for the opportunity to spend the Christmas season with their listeners.
(Holy infant so tender and mild
This line is the start of the lyrics to 'Silent Night,' a Christmas carol that is played immediately after this message from Phil Spector.
Sleep in heavenly peace)
Continuation of the 'Silent Night' lyrics, wishing the holy infant to rest in peaceful slumber.
Lyrics ยฉ DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Traditional (pd), David Foster, Rod Stewart
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stephencoomer5692
Hello, this is Phil Spector.
It is so difficult at this time to say words that would express my feelings
about the album to which you have just listened;
an album that has been in the planning for many, many months.
First, let me thank all the people who worked
so hard with me in the production of this album
and in my endeavour and desire to bring something new and different
to the music of Christmas and to the recording industry
which is so much a part of my life.
Of course, the biggest thanks goes to you,
for giving me the opportunity to relate my feelings
of Christmas through the music that I love.
At this moment, I am very proud of all the artists, and on behalf of all of them,
The Crystals, The Ronettes, Darlene Love, Bobby Soxx and the Blue Jeans and myself,
may we wish you the very merriest of Christmases and the happiest of new years
and thank you so very much for letting us spend this Christmas with you.
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
@spreadthelove77
RIP Mr Spector.
Separating the art from the artist, this man was a straight-up musical genius who left us a wonderful catalogue of songs to enjoy.
@San-br4qv
Thatโs tru. He could be a killer but his music was beautifully wonderful
@geoffbache9897
@San2507 I agree. I played drums for several groups (depping) back then and all the bands I depped for played spectors music at some point. There aren't many who have had a recognisable sound. Phil Spector (my favourite) Glenn Miller and Abba. I don't like todays ... erm music. If you are a musician i'm sure you'll agree that they need to put the C in rap
@sonicdiablo8968
@Geoff Bache ugh
@esdrasbarreto3446
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ฏ๐ง๐ท๐ muito bom.
@carlosfandangomusic4090
I love this album and it's one of my favourites. So much so, that I wrote a track for my Christmas album as an homage to Phil Spector's 'A Christmas Gift For You'. Check out Carlos Fandango 'Selection Box' album track called 'The Little Match Girl'. Whoever listens to it, I hope you enjoy it. ๐
@stephencoomer5692
Hello, this is Phil Spector.
It is so difficult at this time to say words that would express my feelings
about the album to which you have just listened;
an album that has been in the planning for many, many months.
First, let me thank all the people who worked
so hard with me in the production of this album
and in my endeavour and desire to bring something new and different
to the music of Christmas and to the recording industry
which is so much a part of my life.
Of course, the biggest thanks goes to you,
for giving me the opportunity to relate my feelings
of Christmas through the music that I love.
At this moment, I am very proud of all the artists, and on behalf of all of them,
The Crystals, The Ronettes, Darlene Love, Bobby Soxx and the Blue Jeans and myself,
may we wish you the very merriest of Christmases and the happiest of new years
and thank you so very much for letting us spend this Christmas with you.
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
@judacia
Is there a version available without PS talking on it? I really love the music in the background!
@danidupeyron1835
Phil Spector. "Leyend"
@DTheAustralian
Hey, remember when Phil Spector killed Lana Clarkson in 2003?