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.
Christmas Time Is Here
Vince Guaraldi Trio 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 © LEE MENDELSON FILM PROD., INC., Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Vince Guaraldi, Lee Maurice Mendelson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@harrysmusic836
[Verse 1]
Christmas time is here
Happiness and cheer
Fun for all that children call
Their favorite time of the year
[Verse 2]
Snowflakes in the air
Carols everywhere
Olden times and ancient rhymes
Of love and dreams to share
[Bridge]
Sleigh bells in the air
Beauty everywhere
Yuletide by the fireside
And joyful memories there
[Verse 3]
Christmas time is here
Families drawing near
Oh, that we could always see
Such spirit through the year
[Bridge]
Sleigh bells in the air
Beauty everywhere
Yuletide by the fireside
And joyful memories there
@steezyasfvck
Everytime I hear this song it's like falling in love all over again
@catpack100
STEEZYASFUCK yes I concur beat master
@mr.sir0173
Idk how falling in love feels like but I get what your saying
@DecepTurkon
OMG I can't believe I found you over here.... I live your radio and channel!!
@markofcain2761
STEEZYASFUCK I don't care what anyone thinks, this is a Love Song about being in love, pure and simple.
@TruthfulOctopus
luv u steezy ❤️
@dennismcgeehan4258
I'm 67 and dealing with heart trouble. This may be my last Christmas. Trying very hard to embrace the love and joy of the season with my family.
@chinaclipper1
May God grant you many more Christmases Dennis! God bless and hope everything works out.
@JoeBobPerdue2.0
That's the definition of a Legacy, Love!!
@ClipK74
Stay strong good sir! You will overcome it, just like how u over came all the other odds.