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.
Winter Wonderland
Phil Spector Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the lane, snow is glistening
A beautiful sight, we're happy tonight
Walking in a winter wonderland
Gone away is the blue bird
Here to stay is the new bird
He's singing our song, as we go along
In the meadow we can build a snowman
Then pretend that he is Carson Brown
He'll say "Are you married?", We'll say "No man,
But you can do the job when you're in town."
Later on, we'll conspire
As we dream by the fire
To face unafraid, the plans that we made
Walking in a winter wonderland
In the meadow we can build a snowman
And pretend that he's a circus clown
We'll have lots of fun with Mr.Snowman
Until the other kiddies knock him down
When it snows, ain't it thrillin'
Though you know, kids are chillin'
We'll frolic and play, the Eskimo way
Walking in a winter wonderland (wo oh oh)
Walking in a winter wonderland (wo oh oh)
Walking in a winter wonderland (wo oh oh)
Walking in a winter wonderland (wo oh oh)
Walking in a winter wonderland (wo oh oh)
Walking in a winter wonderland
The lyrics to Phil Spector's "Winter Wonderland" describe the joy and excitement of being outside in the snow during winter. Sleigh bells ringing, snow glistening, and the absence of the bluebird signal the arrival of a new season. The new bird is singing along with the couple as they walk in wonderland, enjoying the beautiful scenery. The snowman they built in the meadow is personified and given a name – Carson Brown. The couple pretends to have conversations with him, one of which leads to a playful joke about marriage.
As the night draws near, the couple plans to dream by the fire, unafraid of the future plans they've made. The snowman is personified once again, this time as a circus clown, and lots of fun is had until other kids come along and knock him down. The end of the song expresses the excitement of being outside in the snow and playing like an Eskimo.
One interesting fact about the song is that it was written in 1934 by Felix Bernard, who was inspired by his hometown in New England during the winter. Another interesting fact is that the song has been covered by numerous artists, including Dean Martin, Johnny Mathis, and Tony Bennett. Additionally, the song has been featured in several movies, such as "Elf" and "The Polar Express". The song's popularity has also led to it being used in several commercials, including those for Folgers coffee and Pier 1 Imports.
The chords for Phil Spector's "Winter Wonderland" are:
Verse: A, A, A7, A7
D, D, D7, D7
E7, E7, A, A
Chorus: D, D, D7, D7
E7, E7, A, A
D, D, D7, D7
E7, E7, A, A
Bridge: F#m, F#m, B7, B7
E, E, E7, E7
A, A, A7, A7
D, D, D7, D7
E7, E7, A, A
Line by Line Meaning
Sleigh bells ring, are you listenin'
The ringing of the sleigh bells fills the air. Are you paying attention?
In the lane, snow is glistening
The snow-covered path is shimmering in the light.
A beautiful sight, we're happy tonight
It's a breathtaking view, and we're overjoyed to be here.
Walking in a winter wonderland
We're exploring this magical winter world on foot.
Gone away is the blue bird
The blue bird that used to dwell here has left.
Here to stay is the new bird
A new bird has arrived and will remain here.
He's singing our song, as we go along
He's harmonizing with us as we continue our journey.
Walking in a winter wonderland
We're still wandering in this delightful winter landscape.
In the meadow we can build a snowman
Let's construct a snowman in the meadow.
Then pretend that he is Carson Brown
We can imagine that the snowman is Carson Brown.
He'll say "Are you married?", We'll say "No man,
The snowman will inquire whether we are wed. We'll respond negatively.
But you can do the job when you're in town."
We're certain that he can fulfill the role when he's around.
Later on, we'll conspire
As the night progresses, we'll scheme.
As we dream by the fire
And we drift off into reverie in front of the fireplace.
To face unafraid, the plans that we made
We'll bravely confront the plans we formulated.
Walking in a winter wonderland
We'll continue traversing this enchanting winter world.
In the meadow we can build a snowman
We're returning to the meadow to construct another snowman.
And pretend that he's a circus clown
Let's pretend that our new snowman is a circus clown.
We'll have lots of fun with Mr.Snowman
We'll have a blast with our snowman friend.
Until the other kiddies knock him down
Sadly, other children might ruin our snowman's fun.
When it snows, ain't it thrillin'
It's an exhilarating experience when it snows.
Though you know, kids are chillin'
Even though children are shivering in the cold.
We'll frolic and play, the Eskimo way
We'll jump around and have a good time like Eskimos do.
Walking in a winter wonderland (wo oh oh)
Our winter stroll continues, and we're loving every minute of it.
Walking in a winter wonderland (wo oh oh)
We're still walking in this fantastic winter wonderland.
Walking in a winter wonderland (wo oh oh)
The joyous feeling of walking in this winter paradise stays with us.
Walking in a winter wonderland (wo oh oh)
We're still savoring the magic of walking in this winter wonderland.
Walking in a winter wonderland (wo oh oh)
Our walk in this enchanting winter realm is still ongoing.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Felix Bernard, Richard B. Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
木倉谷哲也
Lyrics:
Sleigh bells ring, are you listenin’
In the lane, snow is glistenin’
A beautiful sight, we’re happy tonight
Walking in a Winter Wonderland
Gone away is the blue bird
Here to stay is the new bird
He’s singing our song, as we go along
Walking in a a Winter Wonderland
In the meadow we can build a snowman
Then pretend that he is Parson Brown
He’ll say “Are you married?”, we’ll say “No man
But you can do the job when you’re in town”
Later on, we’ll conspire
As we dream by the fire
To face unafraid, the plans that we made
Walking in a Winter Wonderland
In the meadow we can build a snowman
And pretend that he’s a circus clown
We’ll have lots of fun with Mr.Snowman
Until the other kiddies knock him down
When it snows, ain’t it thrillin’
Though you know, kids are chillin’
We’ll frolick and play, the Eskimo way
Walking in a Winter Wonderland (wo oh oh, yeah)
Walking in a Winter Wonderland (wo oh oh, yeah)
Walking in a Winter Wonderland (wo oh oh oow)
Walking in a Winter Wonderland (wo oh oh)
Walking in a Winter Wonderland (wo oh oh)
Walking in a Winter Wonderland
Walking in a Winter Wonderland……
I'm not the Walrus
This is by far, the best Christmas album ever made by mankind. Every other holiday album will have the few that are amazing, but this is the only one known, where the entire album is just hit after hit, in the best way possible.
Duke Of L.A.
Brian Wilson from The Beach Boys agrees
Emma Buckley
It's not Christmas until this album has been played in its entirety
Judy anderson
Absolute BEST rendition of this song....bar NONE!!!! Harmonizing voices are PHENOMENAL!!! Love, love, love Darlene Love!!!
Paul Putnam
Christmas albums come & go but somehow this one endures. A masterpiece - by a madman !
Jerome Whitehead
This is my favorite version of "Winter Wonderland."
Isabel Erhart
Same!
lyonslaforet
Phil Spector reached his goal: to make a piece of music highly moving!
Jodie Vaughan
This song gives me a warm glow inside I love Christmas so much
木倉谷哲也
Lyrics:
Sleigh bells ring, are you listenin’
In the lane, snow is glistenin’
A beautiful sight, we’re happy tonight
Walking in a Winter Wonderland
Gone away is the blue bird
Here to stay is the new bird
He’s singing our song, as we go along
Walking in a a Winter Wonderland
In the meadow we can build a snowman
Then pretend that he is Parson Brown
He’ll say “Are you married?”, we’ll say “No man
But you can do the job when you’re in town”
Later on, we’ll conspire
As we dream by the fire
To face unafraid, the plans that we made
Walking in a Winter Wonderland
In the meadow we can build a snowman
And pretend that he’s a circus clown
We’ll have lots of fun with Mr.Snowman
Until the other kiddies knock him down
When it snows, ain’t it thrillin’
Though you know, kids are chillin’
We’ll frolick and play, the Eskimo way
Walking in a Winter Wonderland (wo oh oh, yeah)
Walking in a Winter Wonderland (wo oh oh, yeah)
Walking in a Winter Wonderland (wo oh oh oow)
Walking in a Winter Wonderland (wo oh oh)
Walking in a Winter Wonderland (wo oh oh)
Walking in a Winter Wonderland
Walking in a Winter Wonderland……