Formed in Hawthorne, California in 1961, the original group comprised singer-musician-composer and bandleader Brian Wilson, his brothers Carl Wilson and Dennis Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. Wilson neighbor David Marks appeared on their first four albums and was a member from 1962 to 1963 as a temporary replacement for Jardine, who had left the group to pursue a career in dentistry.
On their first few studio albums, the group primarily played surf music, but this changed after 1964 as their songs became more sophisticated and autobiographical. The 1965 album Today! particularly represented this shift in sound. Bruce Johnston joined the group that same year. Session drummer Hal Blaine is quoted: "We all studied in conservatories; we were trained musicians. We thought it was a fluke at first, but then we realized Brian was writing these incredible songs. This was not just a young kid writing about high school and surfing."
Following their most esteemed work, Pet Sounds (1966), the band became symbols of psychedelic counterculture. The highly anticipated follow-up, Smile, was left unfinished, and Brian soon relinquished his creative hold on the group. A trilogy of lo-fi releases followed: Smiley Smile (1967), Wild Honey (1967), and Friends (1968). Brian would not be credited as a primary composer for any Beach Boys album until 1977's Love You, an album on the fringe of synth-pop, new wave, and punk.
In Brian's absence, the Beach Boys still managed to release music that was regarded favorably by fans and critics despite poor sales: Sunflower (1970) and Surf's Up (1971). South African musicians Blondie Chaplin and Ricky Fataar played and sang with the band on the next two albums: Carl & the Passions - So Tough (1972), and Holland (1973).
Many changes in both musical style and personnel have occurred in their sometimes-stormy career: Brian Wilson's mental illness and drug addiction; the deaths of Dennis Wilson in 1983 and Carl Wilson in 1998; and continuing legal battles among surviving members of the group. With the release of 1974's Endless Summer they became a more popular touring act, playing their greatest hits. They have recorded 36 Billboard Top 40 hits (including four number-one singles), have had over 100 million sales, and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.
Official site: http://www.thebeachboys.com
Child of Winter
The Beach Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A child of the snow
I'm making a snowball
That someone will throw
I'm making a snowman
With charcoal for the eyes
A scarf draped in red
And a derby on his head
Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus
Right down Santa Claus Lane
Vixen and Blitzen and all his reindeer are pulling on the reins
Bells are ringing, children singing
All is merry and bright
Hang your stockings and say your prayers
'Cause Santa Claus comes tonight
The evening of Christmas
Presents have been passed
The wood in the fireplace
Is glowing its last
I'm closing my eyes now
In my bed I'm snuggling
Outside my window
The carolers sing
Christmas comes and the snow covers all
Trees are decorated with tinsel and lights
Mama's in the kitchen making cookies and bread
The children are hungry, they're waiting to be fed
A child of Christmas
A child of snow
A wonderful feeling
Underneath the mistletoe
And may your Christmas
Last all year
With laughter of children
Peace and cheer
A child of Christmas
A child of snow
A wonderful feeling
Underneath the mistletoe
Merry Christmas to you
Ding dong ding go the bells
Ding dong ding go the bells
Ding dong ding go the bells
Ding dong ding go the bells
Ding dong ding go the bells
The Beach Boys' "Child Of Winter" is a heartfelt song about the magic and wonder of winter and the holiday season. The song's opening lines, "A child of winter, a child of the snow," paint a vivid picture of a person who is in touch with the season and all its charms, taking pleasure in simple things like building a snowman or a snowball that someone else will throw. The lyrics feel nostalgic, almost wistful, as they describe the warmth and togetherness of a traditional Christmas celebration, complete with stockings, carolers, and cookies baking in the kitchen.
It's clear that the singer of the song loves this time of year and revels in the sights, sounds, and smells that come with it. The gentle, contemplative tone of the verses gives way to a more exuberant chorus, as we hear the familiar voice of Santa Claus and his reindeer, and the joyful sounds of children singing and bells ringing. The song builds to a climax that encourages us to embrace the spirit of Christmas all year long, and to hold onto the sense of peace and cheer that comes with it.
Overall, "Child Of Winter" is a resonant celebration of the joys of the season, offering a warm and heartfelt message that is sure to touch listeners' hearts.
Line by Line Meaning
A child of winter
I am a person who embodies the essence of winter
A child of the snow
I am someone who is connected to the snow and all that it represents
I'm making a snowball
I am crafting a ball of snow with the intention of throwing it at someone else
That someone will throw
I anticipate that this snowball will be thrown back at me by the person who receives it
I'm making a snowman
I am building a snow sculpture in the shape of a human
With charcoal for the eyes
I have used charcoal to create the snowman's eyes
A scarf draped in red
I have adorned the snowman with a red scarf wrapped around its neck
And a derby on his head
I have placed a derby hat on top of the snowman's head
Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus
Santa Claus is approaching our location
Right down Santa Claus Lane
He is traveling in the direction of the street that bears his name
Vixen and Blitzen and all his reindeer are pulling on the reins
The reindeer on his sleigh, including Vixen and Blitzen, are guiding his way
Bells are ringing, children singing
The air is filled with the sound of bells and the joyful singing of children
All is merry and bright
The atmosphere is one of gaiety and happiness
Hang your stockings and say your prayers
We should prepare for Santa's arrival by hanging our stockings and saying prayers
'Cause Santa Claus comes tonight
Santa Claus will arrive at our homes later this evening
The evening of Christmas
This is the night that Christmas is celebrated
Presents have been passed
Gifts have been exchanged between people
The wood in the fireplace
The wood that has been placed in the fireplace
Is glowing its last
Is now giving off its last bit of light and heat
I'm closing my eyes now
I am shutting my eyes
In my bed I'm snuggling
I am cozying up in my bed
Outside my window
Through the windowpane
The carolers sing
A group of people are singing Christmas hymns and songs
Christmas comes and the snow covers all
On this holiday, the snow has fallen and covers everything in sight
Trees are decorated with tinsel and lights
The trees around us have been adorned with shiny tinsel and bright lights
Mama's in the kitchen making cookies and bread
Mother is busy preparing baked goods in the kitchen
The children are hungry, they're waiting to be fed
The kids are eagerly waiting to enjoy the treats that their mother is making
A child of Christmas
I am someone who exudes the spirit and joy of this holiday
A wonderful feeling
This season brings with it a remarkable mood and sentiment
Underneath the mistletoe
The hanging sprig of mistletoe that is tradition for kissing under
And may your Christmas
May your Christmas be filled with...
Last all year
...an extension throughout the new year to come
With laughter of children
...and the delighted sounds of children
Peace and cheer
...and peace and joy for all
Merry Christmas to you
I wish you a joyful Christmas
Ding dong ding go the bells
There is a resounding peal of bells
Ding dong ding go the bells
The bells continue to toll
Ding dong ding go the bells
The chimes go on and on
Ding dong ding go the bells
The ringing of bells is heard far and wide
Ding dong ding go the bells
The continuous sound of the bells fill the air
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: BRIAN WILSON, STEPHEN JOHN KALINICH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DSDMovies
Never even heard of this before. Just saw it while reading Brian Wilson's wikipedia page.
@AllThisIsThat
Nice treat -- always found this one to be fun.
@gunnarbiker
Some of the melody reminds me of "Give Him a Great Big Kiss" by the Shangri-Las.
@trfesok
Brian's voice is the same as "The Pied Piper" from "Mt. Vernon and Fairway". Creepy...
@bent2
Maybe his voice wasn't totally raspy by this time. I think the damage was done around 1975 up til 1976 when Landy was called in to help.
@mysticmrsam
released as a single too late in '74 for the Christmas market...it went nowhere
@vincevirtua
Too late as in released after Christmas? lol
@metv2363
@@vincevirtua, too late as in released two days before Christmas.
@coolsweetgroovy
classic
@AndrewRudin
Mi-re-do X 150. Sinks like a stone.