The San Francisco-based trio was first formed around 1954, then in a piano-guitar-bass configuration. Starting with the release of the group's self-titled debut album on Fantasy in 1956, Guaraldi would remain on the label for some time. Guaraldi's early recordings were decidedly low-key and morose compared to the work for which he would become famous, but his trademark melancholy and distinctive instrumental voicings, including his deep basslines, were indelible parts of his aesthetic framework from the very beginning.
Influenced by the Brazilian film Black Orpheus (1959)--whose soundtrack was a large part of the impending Bossa nova craze--the trio recorded the album Jazz Impressions of Black Orpheus (1962), having by this point settled into their now familiar piano-bass-drums lineup. The album featured renditions of songs from the film, as well as a number of originals; one such song was "Cast Your Fate to the Wind" which would, within a year, become one of the most commercially successful jazz instrumentals of its time, notably winning a Grammy for Best Instrumental Song. Several vocal versions (with lyrics by Carel Werber) would also achieve significant success.
It was thanks to Guaraldi's hit song that he was discovered by Lee Mendelson who wanted him to write music for Peanuts animation. Guaraldi's first Peanuts assignment was the music for the ill-fated Schulz documentary A Boy Named Charlie Brown. Though the special was never aired and remained unavailable to the public for several decades, the music was released as the album Jazz Impressions of A Boy Named Charlie Brown (1964). For later reissues, the album was retroactively renamed after the documentary.
Despite a troubled production process, 1965 saw the premiere of A Charlie Brown Christmas. Guaraldi's ground-breaking amalgamation of Christmas music and his own unique brand of jazz was an inexorable part of the special's unforeseen success; the soundtrack, featuring originals alongside Guaraldi's interpretations of standards, continues to amass impressive sales even now. One of the songs from the special, "Linus and Lucy" (featured in the special's famous "dancing scene"), would become the de facto theme of Peanuts animations, often mistakenly referred to as the "Peanuts Theme". Another song on the soundtrack, "Christmas Time Is Here" (with lyrics by Mendelson), has become a Christmas standard in its own right.
With the passing of the '60s, Guaraldi began experimenting more and more with different sonic textures for his music, having all but replaced his acoustic piano with various electronic keyboards, most notably the Fender Rhodes. Consequently, Guaraldi would, less and less, perform and record within the context of a trio. While it was never "officially" disbanded, and Guaraldi still used this configuration from time to time, the group inevitably dissolved upon Guaraldi's untimely death in 1976.
Peanuts specials made subsequent to his death often reuse Guaraldi's recordings, or original music inspired heavily by Guaraldi's iconic scores; a testament to his importance to the identity of Peanuts. More importantly, generations of people have cited Guaraldi's inventive and playful jazz as their formative experience with the genre, imbuing a spark of the love of jazz in untold numbers of listeners that only seem to increase the more time goes by.
Camptown Races
Vince Guaraldi Trio Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh I'll go back home with my pocket full of tin oh doo-dah day
Goin' to run all night, goin' to run all day
I'll bet my money on the bobtail nag, somebody bet on the bay.
Well, the Camptown ladies sing this song doodah doodah
Ah the Camptown race track's five miles long oh doo-dah day
Goin' to run all night, goin' to run all day
The lyrics to Vince Guaraldi Trio's "Camptown Races" are about a horse race at the Camptown race track. The singer begins the song saying that they arrived with their hat caved in, but will leave with a pocket full of tin. This suggests that the race is an opportunity for him to make money through betting. He then says that he will bet his money on the bobtail nag, which is a horse with a docked tail, and challenges someone to bet on the bay horse. The repetition of the phrase "going to run all night, going to run all day" emphasizes the intensity and excitement of the race.
The second verse introduces the Camptown ladies who sing a familiar refrain, "doodah doodah". The race track is described to be five miles long, indicating that it is a long race. The singer once again expresses confidence in his bet and reiterates that he will bet on the bobtail nag. The song ends with the repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the energy of the race.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I came down there with my hat caved in
I arrived at this place feeling defeated and hopeless.
Oh I'll go back home with my pocket full of tin oh doo-dah day
But I will leave this place with a sense of triumph and a lot of money.
Goin' to run all night, goin' to run all day
I am determined to win this race and will give it my all, day and night.
I'll bet my money on the bobtail nag, somebody bet on the bay.
I am confident in my choice of horse to win this race and am willing to bet my money on it. Someone else is betting on a different horse.
Well, the Camptown ladies sing this song doodah doodah
The women from Camptown are singing a familiar tune to keep spirits high and to celebrate this race.
Ah the Camptown race track's five miles long oh doo-dah day
This race track is lengthy, but we are determined to run the full five miles and come out victorious.
Goin' to run all night, goin' to run all day
We will not stop until the race is over and one of us emerges as the winner.
I'll bet my money on the bobtail nag, somebody bet on the bay.
Once again, I express my confidence in my chosen horse to win, while someone else bets on a different horse.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PAUL J. FREDERICK, VALERIE PETERSON, STEPHEN COLLINS FOSTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@HereForTheComments
I was beginning to think Vince wasn't gonna post anything for the holidays this year. Last year we got the entire Halloween and Christmas soundtracks.
But I don't remember this one from any of the specials, was it not in any of them?