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.
On Green Dolphin Street
Vince Guaraldi Trio Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A man, a maid, a kiss, and then goodbye
Romance was the theme
And we were the players
I never think of this without a sigh
Lover, one lovely day
Love came, planning to stay
The setting for nights beyond forgetting
And through these moments apart memories live in my heart
When I recall the love I found on
I could kiss the ground on Green Dolphin Street
Lover, one lovely day
Love came, planning to stay
Green Dolphin Street supplied the setting
The setting for nights beyond forgetting
And through these moments apart memories live in my heart
When I recall the love I found on
On Green Dolphin Street
The lyrics of "On Green Dolphin Street" by Vince Guaraldi Trio depict a love story that has left a profound impact on the singer. The song is about remembering a brief, but intense romance that took place on Green Dolphin Street in New York City. The singer remembers the location fondly, as it provided a stunning backdrop for what he considers to be one of the most meaningful moments of his life. The singer describes how it seems like a dream, but he knows it to be true, and the emotions he feels with the memories are palpable in the lyrics. The strings of the instruments perfectly compliment the lyrics, evoking a sense of longing, nostalgia, and heartbreak.
The use of "Lover" in the song's chorus may indicate that the song was inspired by an actual person, and the use of past tense throughout the song implies that the relationship has ended. There is a bittersweet quality to the song, as the memories of the past are cherished but also painful to recall. The fact that the singer says "I never think of this without a sigh" reinforces the idea that the memory of the love found on Green Dolphin Street is something he carries with him always. Overall, "On Green Dolphin Street" is a beautiful song that perfectly captures the fleeting nature of love and the power of memories to transport us to a different time and place.
Line by Line Meaning
It seems like a dream, yet I know it happened
Although it feels like a distant dream, I am aware that it actually occurred
A man, a maid, a kiss, and then goodbye
There was a man and a woman who shared a kiss, but had to part ways afterwards
Romance was the theme
The central topic or subject of the story was about love and affection
And we were the players
The man and woman in the story were the main characters or participants
I never think of this without a sigh
The memory of this love story always brings a melancholic feeling to me
Love came, planning to stay
The love that entered the characters' lives was not temporary, but intended to be long-lasting
Green Dolphin Street supplied the setting
The location where the love story unfolded was on Green Dolphin Street
The setting for nights beyond forgetting
The time spent on Green Dolphin Street was unforgettable and memorable
And through these moments apart memories live in my heart
Even though the man and woman have been separated, the memories of their love still remain within the heart
When I recall the love I found on
Whenever I reminisce about the love that was experienced on
I could kiss the ground on Green Dolphin Street
The love was so profound and meaningful that the person would be willing to express gratitude towards the location where it all happened
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, PATTI WASHINGTON MUSIC, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC.
Written by: MILES DAVIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bry B
Guaraldi's and Evan's versions were equally amazing, but somehow I can't stop listening to this one.
Lorenzo de' Medici
2:22 anyone who knows jazz knows that one of the greatest feelings is when the bass goes from a pattern to walking. It's a transition totally unique to jazz.
io321
Bass is one leg, the ride cymbal is the other !
stewart mcadoo
I dug that too!
Whitey Boy
Never thought about it but you are so right!
Luqman Hakim
morningblue absolutely! :)
David Rivera
LOVE THIS SONG!!!! I love the way you can hear the people in the background laughing and having a good time....
stewart mcadoo
This has been a family staple fro many years when I was a kid. My parents used to play this album and right now, the memories are flowing. Miss you, Dad, Mom, Carol and Steve...RIP!
Rebecca Anne
My favorite rendition
TomKaren94
There are two other versions of this song that I like equally as well... The Four Freshmen with Bob Ferreira on vocals, and Turtle Island Quartet with David Balikrishnan on violin. Incredible stuff. Three of my YouTube Favorites.