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, 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.
White Christmas
Ray Conniff Singers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just like the ones I used to know.
Where the tree tops glisten and children listen
To hear sleigh-bells in the snow.
I'm dreaming of the White Christmas (du-ah)
With every Christmas card I write.
And may all your Christmas be white.
I'm dreaming of the White Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know.
Where the tree tops glisten and children listen
To hear sleigh-bells in the snow.
I'm dreaming of the White Christmas
With every Christmas card I write.
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmas be white.
The song “White Christmas” by the Ray Conniff Singers embodies the feeling of nostalgia and longing for a perfect Christmas past. The lyrics state, “I’m dreaming of the White Christmas, just like the ones I used to know,” referring to a time when Christmas was simpler, more joyful, and perhaps the singer was surrounded by loved ones who may no longer be with them. The mention of the “tree tops glisten[ing] and children listening to hear sleigh-bells in the snow” transports the listener to a picturesque winter scene, creating a sense of warmth and coziness alongside the longing for the perfect holiday.
The lyrics continue to express the desire for the holiday season to be merry and bright, while also wishing for snow that will turn Christmas Day white. This wish holds a certain level of whimsy, as for some, having a white Christmas is not always possible. However, it is a traditional hallmark of the holiday season and having this image of the perfect holiday evokes a certain sense of nostalgia and longing. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the importance of the singer’s dream, and how they yearn to capture the magic of this season.
Overall, “White Christmas” is a classic holiday song that evokes feelings of warmth, nostalgia, and yearning for the perfect holiday season. It speaks to the idea that Christmas can be magical and perfect, and the desire to experience that magic again and again.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm dreaming of the White Christmas (du-ah)
The singer expresses his wish to experience a snowy Christmas like he did in his past, while the 'du-ah' is an expression of excitement or longing.
Just like the ones I used to know.
He wants to relive his memories of the snowy Christmas he had in his past.
Where the tree tops glisten and children listen
The singer describes a picturesque scene where snow-covered trees reflect the light beautifully and children listen attentively to the sound of jingle bells.
To hear sleigh-bells in the snow.
The singer wants to hear the sound of bells attached to a sleigh, a traditional sound associated with Christmas, amidst the snowfall.
With every Christmas card I write.
The singer links his wish for a white Christmas to his tradition of sending Christmas cards, hoping to convey his wishes to his loved ones.
May your days be merry and bright
The singer wishes for joy and happiness for his loved ones throughout the holiday season, hoping it brings light to their lives.
And may all your Christmas be white.
The singer extends his wish for a white Christmas to his loved ones, hoping they have the same snowy experience he longs for.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, Tratore
Written by: IRVING BERLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Carlito1988
Don't understand how 90% of Christmas songs today just can't seem to touch the beauty of the songs from the 40's, 50's, 60's. There are exceptions, but most just don't touch the spirit and some are just dreadful. Ray Conniff gets it- this should be on everyone's playlist!
gilbert ochoa
Tell me about it.
Mrs. Palafox
QUE RECUERDOS!! Solamente Felicidad! Tenía 8 años!
Geline Mendoza
reminds me of my childhood days, glad to hear this once again☺
Gisela saudades das mudo Perez
Belíssima ❤️
Teresa Bonaldi
Un hermoso recuerdo!!
Jesus Martinez
Feliz navidad a todos los que escuchan esta hermosa canción.
Carlos rodriguez reyes
Cuando era niño, hasta la pobreza se nos olvidaba a mis hermanos y a mí, cuando escuchabamos este album
joyas del cine J
todo un himno a la magica noche buena
Manuel Corea
Excelente colección. Los mejores temas musicales. La música que nos hace revivir viejos te recierdos. Felicitaciones.