After serving in the U.S. Army in World War II (where he worked under Walter Schumann), he was hired by Mitch Miller, then head of A & R at Columbia Records as their home arranger, and he worked with several artists, including Rosemary Clooney, Marty Robbins, Frankie Laine, Johnny Mathis, Guy Mitchell and Johnnie Ray. He wrote a top 10 arrangement for Don Cherry's "Band of Gold" in 1955, a single that sold more than a million copies.
Amongst the hit singles he backed with his orchestra (and eventually with a male chorus) were "Yes Tonight Josephine" and "Just Walkin' in the Rain" by Johnnie Ray; "Chances Are" and "It's Not for Me to Say" by Johnny Mathis; "A White Sport Coat" and "The Hanging Tree" by Marty Robbins; "Up Above My Head," a duet by Frankie Laine and Johnnie Ray, and "Pet Me, Poppa" by Rosemary Clooney. He also backed up the albums "Tony" by Tony Bennett, "Blue Swing" by Eileen Rodgers, "Swingin' for Two" by Don Cherry. and half the tracks of "The Big Beat" by Johnnie Ray.
In these early years he also produced some similar sounding records for Columbia's Epic label under the name of Jay Raye (which stands for "Joseph Raymond") amongst them a backing album and singles with Somethin' Smith & The Redheads, an American male vocal group.
Because of the success of his backings Mitch Miller allowed him to make his own record, and this became the successful "'S Wonderful", a collection of standards that were recorded with an orchestra and a wordless singing chorus (four men, four women). He released many more albums in the same vein, including "Dance The Bop" (1957), "'S Marvelous" (1957, gold album), "'S Awful Nice" (1958), "Concert in Rhythm" (1958, gold album), "Hollywood in Rhythm" (1958), "Broadway in Rhythm" (1959), and "Concert in Rhythm, Volume II" (1959, gold album).
In 1959 he started the Ray Conniff Singers (12 women and 13 men) and released the album "It's the Talk of the Town. This group of word— not just syllable — singing singers brought him the biggest hit he ever had in his career: "Somewhere My Love" (1966). The title track of the album was written to the music of Lara's Theme from the film Doctor Zhivago (1965), and was a top 10 single in the US. The album also reached the US top 20 and went platinum, and Conniff won a Grammy. The single and album reached high positions in the international charts (a.o. Australia, Germany, Great Britain, Japan) as well. Also extraordinarily successful was the first of four Christmas albums by the Singers, "Christmas with Conniff" (1959). Nearly fifty years after its release, in 2004, Conniff posthumously was awarded with a platinum album/CD.
Musically different highlights in Conniff's career are two albums he produced in cooperation with Billy Butterfield, an old buddy from earlier swing days. "Conniff Meets Butterfield" (1960) featured Butterfield's solo trumpet and a small rhythm group; "Just Kiddin' Around" (after a Conniff original composition from the 1940's), released 1963, featured additional trombone solos by Ray himself. Both albums are pure light jazz and did not feature any vocals.
Later in the 1960's he produced an average of two instrumental and one vocal album a year. Among these are (Original albums only):
* "'s Wonderful" (1956)
* "Dance the Bop!" (1957)
* "'s Marvelous" (1957)
* "'s Awful Nice" (1958)
* "Concert in Rhythm, Vol.1" (1958)
* "Broadway in Rhythm" (1958)
* "Hollywood in Rhythm" (1958)
* "It's The Talk of the Town" (1959)
* "Conniff Meets Butterfield" (1959)
* "Christmas with Conniff" (1959)
* "Concert in Rhythm, Vol.2" (1959)
* "Young at Heart" (1960)
* "Say It with Music (A Touch of Latin)" (1960)
* "Memories Are Made of This" (1960, gold album)
* "Somebody Loves Me" (1961)
* "'S Continental" (1961)
* "So Much in Love" (1962, gold album)
* "Rhapsody in Rhythm" (1962)
* "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" (1962, gold album)
* "The Happy Beat" (1962)
* "You Make Me Feel So Young" (1963)
* "Speak to Me of Love" (1963)
* "Friendly Persuasion" (1964)
* "Invisible Tears" (1964)
* "Love Affair" (1965)
* "Music From 'Mary Poppins', 'The Sound of Music', 'My Fair Lady' & Other Great Movie Themes" (1965)
* "Here We Come A-Caroling" (1965)
* "Happiness Is" (1965)
* "Ray Conniff's World of Hits" (1966)
* "En Español (The Ray Conniff Singers Sing It in Spanish)" (1966)
* "This Is My Song" (1967)
* "Ray Conniff's Hawaiian Album" (1967)
* "It Must Be Him" (1967, gold album)
* "Honey" (1968, gold album)
* "Turn Around Look at Me" (1968)
* "I Love How You Love Me" (1968)
* "Live Europa Tournee 1969/Concert in Stereo" (1969)
* "Jean" (1969)
* "Concert In Stereo: Live At 'The Sahara Tahoe'" (1969)
* "Bridge Over Troubled Water" (1970)
* "We've Only Just Begun" (1970)
* "Love Story" (1970)
* "Great Contemporary Instrumental Hits" (1971)
* "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing" (1971)
* "Love Theme from "The Godfather" (1972)
* "Alone Again (Naturally)" (1972)
* "I Can See Clearly Now" (1972)
* "Ray Conniff in Britain" (1973)
* "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" (1973)
* "Harmony" (1973)
* "The Way We Were" (1973)
* "The Happy Sound of Ray Conniff" (1974)
* "Ray Conniff In Moscow" (1974)
* "Laughter in the Rain" (1975)
* "Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song" (1975)
* "Love Will Keep Us Together" (1975)
* "I Write the Songs" (1975)
* "Live in Japan" (1975)
* "Send in the Clowns" (1976)
* "Theme from 'SWAT' and Other TV Themes" (1976)
* "After the Lovin'" (1976)
* "Exitos Latinos" (1977)
* "Ray Conniff Plays the Bee Gees and Other Great Hits" (1978)
* "I Will Survive" (1979)
* "The Perfect '10' Classics" (1980)
* "Exclusivamente Latino" (1980)
* "Siempre Latino" (1981)
* "The Nashville Connection" (1982)
* "Musik für Millionen" (partly produced for a German TV show in 1982)
* "Amor Amor" (1982)
* "Fantastico" (1983)
* "Supersonico" (1984)
* "Campeones" (1985)
* "Say You Say Me" (1986)
* "30th Anniversary Edition" (1986)
* "Always in My Heart" (1987)
* "Interpreta 16 Exitos De Manuel Alejandro" (1988)
* "Ray Conniff Plays Broadway" (1990)
* "'S Always Conniff" (1991)
* "Latinisimo" (1993)
* "40th Anniversary" (1995)
* "Live in Rio (aka Mi Historia)" (1997)
* "I Love Movies" (1997)
* "My Way" (1998)
* "'S Country" (1999)
* "'S Christmas" (1999)
* "Do Ray Para O Rei" (2000).
Between 1957 and 1968, he had 28 albums in the American Top 40, the most famous one being "Somewhere My Love" (1966). He topped the album list in Britain in 1969 with "His Orchestra, His Chorus, His Singers, His Sound". He also was the first American popular artist to record in Russia—in 1974 he recorded "Ray Conniff in Moscow" with the help of a local choir. His later albums like "Exclusivamente Latino", "Amor Amor" and "Latinisimo" made him very popular in Latin-American countries, even more so after performing in the Viña del Mar International Song Festival. In Brazil and Chile he was treated like a young pop superstar in the 1980s and 1990s when he was in his 70s and 80s. He even played live with his orchestra and eight-person chorus in large football stadiums as well as in Viña del Mar.
Ray Conniff was a quiet, modest sympathetic artist. He always worked in the background so that in the fifties there were rumours that this man didn't even exist and his name was just a name fake as then his orchestral sound was so sensational. Nevertheless he sold about 70 million albums world-wide and continued recording and performing until his death in 2002.
He died in Escondido, California, and is interred in the Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles, California.
In 2004, a memorial two-CD compilation set, "The Essential Ray Conniff", was released, featuring many rare and previously unreleased tracks. "The Singles Collection, Vol.1" was released on the Collectables label in 2005. This also features many rare tracks.
Jingle Bells
Ray Conniff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh
Dashing through the snow in a one horse open sleigh
Oer the fields we go laughing all the way
Bells on bobtail ring, making spirits bright
Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh
Day or two ago I thought I'd take a ride
Soon Miss Fannie Bright was seated by my side
The horse was lean and lank misfortune seemed his lot
He got into a drifted bank and then we got up-sot
Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh
Now the ground is white, go it while were young
And take the girls tonight and sing a sleighing song
Ya get a bobtail net, ya pick him for his speed
And hitch him to an open sleigh
And crack, you'll take the lead
Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh
One horse open sleigh
The lyrics to Ray Conniff's "Jingle Bells" are a fun and festive description of a winter sleigh ride. The song begins with the repetition of the title phrase "jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way" invoking the joyful tinkling of the bells on the horse's harness. The opening lines also bring the listener directly into the exciting activity of sleigh riding, as the singer declares "Oh, what fun it is to ride in a onehorse open sleigh." The verses describe the experience of riding in the snow-covered countryside, laughing and singing all the while. The mention of "bobtail" refers to the practice of cutting a horse's tail short for practical purposes, and the ringing of the bells on its tail adds to the festive atmosphere. The third verse tells a story of a mishap during a ride with Miss Fanny Bright, where the horse got stuck in a snowbank and tipped over the sleigh.
The chorus repeats the title phrase, encouraging the listener to join in the festive activity of sleigh riding. The final verse emphasizes the urgency of taking advantage of the snowy conditions while they last and taking a romantic excursion with a loved one. The final exhortation to "crack" and take the lead contributes to the enthusiastic, upbeat tone of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way
The sound of the jingling bells is heard all around as the sleigh makes its way through the snowy terrain.
Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh
The experience of riding in a sleigh with a single horse, while breathing in the fresh and cool winter air, is truly an enjoyable one.
Dashing through the snow in a one horse open sleigh
The sleigh moves at high speed, cutting through the snow, and the rider feels an incredible rush of excitement.
Oer the fields we go laughing all the way
The riders are carefree and let out hearty laughs as the sleigh makes its way through the open fields.
Bells on bobtail ring, making spirits bright
The bells tied to the horse's tail ring out a cheerful tune, lifting the spirits of everyone around.
What fun it is to sing along on a sleighing song tonight
The pleasure is doubled when people get together and sing along while riding in the sleigh.
Day or two ago I thought I'd take a ride
Just a few days ago, the singer had this idea of taking a sleigh ride.
Soon Miss Fannie Bright was seated by my side
The artist was accompanied by Miss Fannie Bright, who sat by their side during the sleigh ride.
The horse was lean and lank misfortune seemed his lot
The horse was weak and thin, and seemed to be unlucky.
He got into a drifted bank and then we got up-sot
The horse got stuck in a snow bank and the sleigh tipped over, causing some inconvenience.
Now the ground is white, go it while were young
With the snow-covered ground and their youth on their side, the singer encourages everyone to take advantage and go out for a ride.
And take the girls tonight and sing a sleighing song
The artist suggests taking along the girls and singing sleighing songs to make the ride even more enjoyable and memorable.
Ya get a bobtail net, ya pick him for his speed
Choosing a horse with a short tail, the singer advises to select the one with excellent speed.
And hitch him to an open sleigh
Tie the horse to a sleigh with no roof, so that everyone can enjoy the clear winter sky and the snow-covered fields.
And crack, you'll take the lead
Whip the horse to move faster, and you will be in the lead, enjoying the thrill and adventure of the ride.
One horse open sleigh
An open sleigh pulled by a single horse, which is an iconic symbol of enjoying winter in the snow-covered countryside.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ray Conniff, TRAD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@javierruizledezma7736
El mejor arreglista, con una gran orquesta y sus maravillosos coros, mi ídolo. Por siempre Ray Conniff.
@alexramirez9401
Escuchando esta bella melodía el 26 de diciembre de 2020. Saludos desde El Salvador.
@hectorlemus5409
AQUELLOS DICIEMBRES QUE NUNCA VOLVERÁN..!!
LAS MEJORES NAVIDADES SON Y SERÁN SIEMPRE LAS DE LOS 80's...
EN CASA SE LOS ABUELOS...MI MADRE
MIS TÍOS..MI FAMILIA...
🇸🇻🇸🇻🇸🇻❤️🎉⛄
@hectorlemus8865
THE BEST VERSION...OF RAY CONNIFF..
I REMEMBER MY CHILDHOOD...1983-1989...
@smartdog3003
I agree, I like the old Christmas songs too because they are easy to understand!! And I really Love Ray Conniff and his singers, especially his Christmas albums, tapes, and CDs!! They seem to sing so joyful and happy!!! It is too bad that Ray Conniff died or we could be hearing some more of his wonderful songs!!! :)
@augustogarcia1327
Hola me recuerda cuando me Hiba a la primaria con mi bolsa del mandado que le volaba ami mamá por qué nosotros nunca usamos mochila íbamos tres hermanos a la primaria somos once y en todo el camino hacia mi escuela la escuchaba en cada casa amo esta fecha que ya está cerca felices fiestas por adelantado que dios me bendiga a todos mis hermanos mexicanos
@abcdefghij6653
Me recuerda mi infancia, hace ya 40 años...
@davidmarcouii5012
The best version of this song!
@RobertoReyes
I share this video I hope you like it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjoO9PQBl4A
@hectorcastillo2416
Esta es la mejor version de todas!