Born Vincent Anthony Dellaglio in San Francisco, the "city by the bay" would remain Guaraldi's base of operations throughout his life, with Guaraldi eventually becoming a significant proponent of west coast jazz. Guaraldi's first recorded work was as part of trio with Cal Tjader in 1953. By 1955, Guaraldi had formed his own trio; in contrast to his later, more well-known work, his earlier music was decidedly morose and classically-inspired, as well as lacking drum accompaniment. Moreover, his actual compositional output was vastly outnumbered by cover versions.
Inspired by the 1959 film Black Orpheus, the trio recorded an album featuring renditions of songs from its soundtrack, as well as original compositions inspired by the film; one such original song, "Cast Your Fate to the Wind", became an award-winning best seller of its time, peaking at #22 on the Billboard Hot 100. Subsequent vocal versions (with lyrics by Carel Werber) also charted. "Cast Your Fate..." also ensured Guaraldi's hiring as composer for a number of planned animated adaptations of the world-famous Peanuts comic strip.
Guaraldi's first composition for Peanuts was "Linus and Lucy", a theme for the characters of Lucy and Linus van Pelt, which he first played over the phone to producer Lee Mendelson. Featured in the famous "dancing scene" from A Charlie Brown Christmas, it has been mistakenly assumed by many to be the "Peanuts Theme", when in fact Guaraldi never composed such a theme; the specials tended to have their own individual themes. Regardless, it would become Guaraldi's greatest-known work, being among the most recognizable pieces of music in the world.
A Charlie Brown Christmas, the first proper animated outing for the Peanuts franchise, became an unexpected success upon its first airing, thanks in no small part to Guaraldi's timeless score, mixing holiday standards with original tunes with Guaraldi's laid-back, acoustic jazz style. One particular song from the album, "Christmas Time Is Here", has become a Christmas standard in its own right. It has remained a steady yearly seller for almost five decades, and has never been out of print.
As the '60s began to come to an end, Guaraldi became enamored with electronic sounds and synthesizer devices, in particular the Fender Rhodes brand electric piano, which would color his scores for Peanuts specials as well. Though the recorded output through the duration of his life would remain lamentably small, Guaraldi continued to play live on a regular basis, more than happy to mix his Peanuts music with jazz standards and contemporary pop music.
On February 6, 1976, while between sets at the night spot Butterfield's in Menlo Park, Vince Guaraldi died of causes variously attributed to either an aortic aneurysm or a heart attack. The last song he ever performed was a cover version of "Eleanor Rigby" by The Beatles. He had completed his underscore for the special It's Arbor Day, Charlie Brown that very same day. Music from Peanuts was played over a public announcement system at his funeral.
Mostly owing to the jazz establishment changing its focus towards New York and more experimental forms of jazz, the melodically-minded Guaraldi never gained much recognition from jazz critics and peers of his time. Nevertheless, Guaraldi's music grows more and more appreciated with each passing year; historians have observed that scores of musicians and fans alike have attributed their love of jazz to watching, and listening to, Peanuts specials as children. Scores for subsequent Peanuts specials tend to feature at least one Guaraldi original; a testament to his importance to the specials.
Christmas Time Is Here
Vince Guaraldi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Happiness and cheer
Fun for all that children call
Their favorite time of year
Snowflakes in the air
Carols everywhere
Olden times and ancient rhymes
Sleigh bells in the air
Beauty everywhere
Yuletide by the fireside
And joyful memories there
Christmas time is here
We'll be drawing near
Oh, that we could always see
Such spirit through the year
Sleigh bells in the air
Beauty everywhere
Yuletide by the fireside
And joyful memories there
Christmas time is here
We'll be drawing near
Oh, that we could always see
Such spirit through the year
The lyrics to Vince Guaraldi Trio's song "Christmas Time Is Here" express the joys and wonders of the holiday season with a touch of nostalgia. The upbeat melody and cheerful tune of the song evoke a sense of merriment and excitement in the listener. The opening lines capture the essence of the season, stating that it is a time for happiness and cheer, particularly for children who look forward to it all year long.
As the song continues, it paints vivid imagery of the winter wonderland, invoking the imagery of snowflakes in the air, Christmas carols everywhere, and olden times and ancient rhymes of love and dreams to share. The picture is enhanced by the ringing of sleigh bells in the air, the beauty everywhere, and the warmth of the fireside, where joyful memories are made.
The lyrics conclude with the sentiment that the holiday spirit is something that should be with us throughout the year, a wish that we can always be reminded of the love and magic of the holiday season. All in all, "Christmas Time Is Here" is a heartwarming and uplifting song that captures the magic and awe of the holiday season.
Line by Line Meaning
Christmas time is here
The holiday season has arrived
Happiness and cheer
People feel joy and excitement during this time
Fun for all that children call
Children have a great time during Christmas
Their favorite time of year
Christmas is the time of year that children look forward to the most
Snowflakes in the air
Snow is falling from the sky
Carols everywhere
Music is playing all around
Olden times and ancient rhymes
Reminiscing on times gone by and traditional songs
Of love and dreams to share
A time for sharing love and hopes for the future
Sleigh bells in the air
Hearing the sound of bells on a sleigh
Beauty everywhere
There is delight in seeing beautiful decorations and lights
Yuletide by the fireside
Spending time at home with loved ones during the Winter Solstice
And joyful memories there
Creating wonderful memories to cherish
We'll be drawing near
Getting closer to loved ones during this time
Oh, that we could always see
Reflecting on how great it would be if we could always feel this way
Such spirit through the year
Carrying the joy and excitement of Christmas into every day of the year
Sleigh bells in the air
Hearing the sound of bells on a sleigh
Beauty everywhere
There is delight in seeing beautiful decorations and lights
Yuletide by the fireside
Spending time at home with loved ones during the Winter Solstice
And joyful memories there
Creating wonderful memories to cherish
We'll be drawing near
Getting closer to loved ones during this time
Oh, that we could always see
Reflecting on how great it would be if we could always feel this way
Such spirit through the year
Carrying the joy and excitement of Christmas into every day of the year
Lyrics © DistroKid, LEE MENDELSON FILM PROD., INC., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Vince Guaraldi, Lee Maurice Mendelson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@anonunknown933
As children, we were happy because we had nothing else to lose.
It is to our horror when we learn why all those adults were so sad.
And it is to our horror when it is longer we but they.
The days crept away. We were slowly stripped of who we were.
We are frogs boiled-cooked, sad, and dead.
Maybe that's why some of the adults hate children,
They didn't hate us back then, they envied us.
Why is such a small portion of life more significant than the rest?
Are the later days meant for us to wallow in the past?
Maybe it's because we can't let go. Those memories.
And so as we forget to let go we lose what children have.
Nothing.
But.
Potential.
@Dr.scottcase88
Born in 1955, sadly today all my immediate family and extended family as well as friends most of them anyway, have passed away and I am alone. However when I hear those children sing this song I am instantly transported back to around 1966 or 1967 at Christmas time. It brings back to me a visceral sense of happiness and contentment as if my voice is among those of the children singing. It’s quite magical actually. Peace.
@alpera9054
Hope you had a Merry Christmas ! Have a Happy New Year
@Patricksdoorbell
I'm sorry that they passed away. Have a happy new year!
@gbot3377
I lost all my loved ones too. I would be most happy to talk with you anytime. I wish there was a place where people are crushed by loss could talk with others going through the same. :(
@Dr.scottcase88
Thank you for the kind offer and I may take you up on it at some point down the road. Currently I am recovering from a full knee replacement in a rehab center. Ironically I am a licensed psychologist and happen to be blind.
@gbot3377
@@Dr.scottcase88 You are welcome, and anytime you are up to it sir.
@andinonyong2149
I really miss being a kid on Christmas
@manuelorozco7760
IKR! When you didn't feel the stressful side of the holidays and no one complained until the presents were unwrapped
@pattigee1
You could take your inner kid out for a walk, a hot chocolate, and look at the christmas windows and lights, maybe.
@resmarted
I miss being a kid