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.
Christmastime 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 Christmastime Is Here encapsulate the traditional feelings and emotions associated with Christmas. The song begins with the happy announcement that Christmas is here and that it brings about cheer and happiness to all. The joyous holiday particularly resonates with children who eagerly await Christmas Eve to open their presents from Santa Claus. The reference to the "fun for all that children call" is a nod to the childlike innocence and wonder that is imbued in the holiday season.
The second stanza paints a picture of winter with snowflakes in the air and carols everywhere. It invokes a sense of nostalgia for days gone by with a reference to "olden times and ancient rhymes." The lyrics suggest that Christmas is a time to share love and dreams with those that are near and dear. The imagery of the sleigh bells in the air and beauty everywhere reiterates the magical and joyful feeling that the holiday season brings.
The final stanza reiterates the sentiment of the song's opening, stating that Christmas time is here, and we will be drawing near to each other to experience the magic of the holiday season. There is a yearning expressed in the lyrics that the spirit of Christmas could be present throughout the year. This desire is echoed in the final line - "oh, that we could always see such spirit through the year."
Line by Line Meaning
Christmas time is here
The season of Christmas is upon us
Happiness and cheer
There is a feeling of joy and celebration in the air
Fun for all that children call / Their favorite time of the year
Children especially look forward to Christmas and all the festivities
Snowflakes in the air
The weather is cold and snowy
Carols everywhere
Christmas songs can be heard everywhere
Olden times and ancient rhymes / Of love and dreams to share
Christmas reminds us of stories and traditions from long ago, and is a time to share love and dreams with those around us
Sleigh bells in the air
The sound of jingling bells from a sleigh can be heard
Beauty everywhere
The sights and sounds of Christmas are beautiful
Yuletide by the fireside / And joyful memories there
The warmth of a fire on a cold night and happy memories add to the joy of the season
We'll be drawing near
We will soon be close to Christmas day
Oh, that we could always see / Such spirit through the year
It would be wonderful to always have the same spirit of joy and celebration that is present during the Christmas season
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