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
@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.
@user-zl2wl1nc3r
[Verse 1]
Christmas time is here
Happiness and cheer
Fun for all that children call
Their favorite time of 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
[Piano Solo]
[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
@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.
@africamoore1046
It's December 2022! We've made it to another Christmas season and I'm so grateful! As a 2 time breast cancer overcomer I'm so thankful to the Lord for healing me and allowing me the opportunity to experience this time of year once again! Merry Christmas and God bless all of you listening to this gem!
@Tyx99
Glad to hear you overcame it twice! Happy Holidays to you
@mikepierce6883
God bless you!!
@braelynsayre
Glad to hear you’ve overcome that TWICE! Amazing! God bless u❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️