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 wordโ not just syllable โ 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, 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 was posthumously 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 1940s), released 1963, featured additional trombone solos by Ray himself. Both albums are pure light jazz and did not feature any vocals.
Christmas
Ray Conniff Singers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Was to certain poor shepherds
In fields as they lay
In fields where they lay watching their sheep
On a cold winter's night that was so deep
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel
They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the east beyond them afar
And to the earth it gave great light
And so it continued both day and night
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel
Hark, the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King
Peace on earth, and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled
Joyful, all ye nations, rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim
Christ is born in Bethlehem
Hark, the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King
Hail, the Heaven Prince of peace
Hail, the Son of Righteousness
Light and life to all He brings
Risen with healing in His wings
Hark, the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King
Peace on earth, and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled
Hark, the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King
Ah ah ah, ah ah ah ah
Adeste fideles lรฆti triumphantes
Venite, venite in Bethlehem
Natum videte
Regem angelorum
Venite adoremus
Venite adoremus
Venite adoremus
Dominum
Oh come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant
Oh come ye, oh come ye to Bethlehem
Come and behold Him, born the King of Angels
Oh come, let us adore Him
Oh come, let us adore Him
Oh come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord
We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
We wish you a lot of presents
We wish you a lot of presents
We wish you a lot of presents and a lot of the cheer
We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
The lyrics of "Christmas" by Ray Conniff Singers set in a cozy scene of wintertime holiday cheer. The first verse describes the amusement of roasting chestnuts on an open fire while watching snowflakes falling outside, as well as the winter-perfect atmosphere with the cold air causing Jack Frost to nip at your nose. The imagery of a choir singing Yule-tide carols and people dressed up in Eskimo outfits completes the picture of a traditional Christmas.
The second verse leaps into the holiday cheer, a turkey and mistletoe to decorate and bring brightness to the season. The little ones eagerly await the arrival of Santa Claus, with "toys and goodies" in his sleigh to make them happy.
Finally, the song reaches its climax with the singer offering a simple message of "Merry Christmas to you" to all the children from one to ninety-two. The song is filled with the festive spirit and aimed at spreading Christmas joy to all who hear it.
Line by Line Meaning
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
The aroma of chestnuts cooking over an open flame, creating an ambiance of warmth and holiday joy.
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
The chill of winter signifies the arrival of Jack Frost, biting at people's noses and creating a sense of excitement for the coming holidays.
Yule-tide carols being sung by a choir
People gathered together to sing carols during the festive season, embodying the spirit of Christmas and spreading warmth and joy.
And folks dressed up like Eskimos.
People bundled up in thick winter clothing, resembling Eskimos in order to combat the cold winter weather and enhance the holiday season.
Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
The traditional holiday staples of turkey and mistletoe are widely recognized by people during this time of the year.
Help to make the season bright
These holiday symbols help to lighten up the festivities and create a feeling of warmth and joy.
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
Small children are in awe of the magical nature of the holiday season, creating a sense of anticipation and wonder.
Will find it hard to sleep tonight.
The excitement and anticipation of the holiday gifts make it difficult for children to fall asleep on Christmas Eve.
They know that Santa's on his way
Children believe that Santa Claus is coming to deliver their gifts, creating a sense of enchantment and magic during the holiday season.
He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
Toys and gifts that are brought by Santa Claus make up the magical essence of Christmas, making children excited and creating a festive atmosphere.
And every mother's child is gonna spy
Every child eagerly awaits the arrival of Santa Claus, creating a sense of excitement and anticipation during the holiday season.
To see if reindeer really know how to fly.
Children are inquisitive about the magical qualities of holiday iconography, such as flying reindeer, adding to the sense of enchantment and magic.
And so I'm offering this simple phrase
The phrase being offered is a message of goodwill and happiness to everyone during the festive holiday season.
To kids from one to ninety-two
This message of goodwill and cheer is being conveyed to everyone, from children to adults, encompassing all generations and ages.
Although it's been said many times, many ways
This message of goodwill and cheer has been conveyed multiple times, in various forms and mediums, throughout history.
Merry Christmas to you!
A cheerful and festive greeting, conveying wishes of happiness and kindness to all during the holiday season.
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Kevin Olusola, Scott Hoying, Avriel Kaplan, Kirstin Maldonado, Mitchell Grassi, Ben Bram
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@supersiniasangel9311
This is the Christmas songs I grew up with and still playing this for 50 years
@bencadavieco9299
yes same to me and now i am far from home i feel sad to listen them, but are so beautifuls
@mayorsoffice4412
Same here, same years ๐
@GingerJar
saaaaaame๐
@elainebrooks72
Same here...hailing from Jamaica ๐ฏ๐ฒ
@Dahstin
You are old.
@restyferrer6325
Im played this songs every year, and I remember my days I'm already 57 and still kicking and alive.thank you Lord ๐๐๐
@williamgregory3479
My favorite Christmas album. Ray Conniff We listened to this wonderful music. Christmas was a special time in our house. Mom would baked a big fruitcake. We had peanut chocolate clusters , oranges. The tree was put up in the living room Christmas Eve. We got a toy and a new sweater . Times were lean. But some of the happiest days was spent in the green house in Bedington, West Virginia. Thank you God for making me so lucky and having wonder parents. I am now 80 years old and my mom and dad are in heaven. I can still smell the ginger bread cookies. Merry Christmas to all she read this. Billy Gregory
@roehlcastillovalderrama5072
Thats nice to know. Nowadays, dads busy in the lab basement cooking homemade Meth while mom is giving a head job to some random guy in his car in the street corner so we can have tuna sardines for xmas dinner. Ole!
@francheskaaltheabartilit7939
I really love to hear this old Christmas,so many years gone ,but still love to hear..โค