Christmas Time Is Here
| "Christmas Time Is Here" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Vince Guaraldi Trio | |
| from the album A Charlie Brown Christmas | |
| Released | December 1965 |
| Genre | Jazz, Christmas music |
| Length | 6:05 (instrumental version) 2:43 (vocal version) |
| Label | Fantasy |
| Composer(s) | Vince Guaraldi |
| Lyricist(s) | Lee Mendelson |
"Christmas Time Is Here" is a popular Christmas song written by Lee Mendelson and Vince Guaraldi for the 1965 TV special A Charlie Brown Christmas,[1] one of the first animated Christmas specials produced for network TV in the United States. Because the song became a hit, two versions were included on the album A Charlie Brown Christmas: an instrumental version by the Vince Guaraldi Trio and a vocal version by choristers from St. Paul's Episcopal Church in San Rafael, California.
Legacy
Since its debut in 1965 on A Charlie Brown Christmas, the composition has become a popular Christmas song that is often used on Christmas-related media and also played on radio stations during the holidays. It is regarded by many to be a classic.
Cover versions
The first person to record a cover version of the song was jazz guitarist Ron Escheté on the album Christmas Impressions (1982). David Benoit followed him on the album Christmastime (1983). They were followed by Patti Austin and Debby Boone (both in 1989); Mel Tormé (1992), then Rosemary Clooney, R.E.M., and Stone Temple Pilots before the turn of the century.[2]
- Mel Tormé on his album Christmas Songs (1992)[3]
- Melissa Manchester on her album Joy (1997)[4]
- Steve Vai on the album Merry Axemas: A Guitar Christmas (1997)[5]
- Chicago on their album Chicago XXV: The Christmas Album (1998)[6]
- Kenny Loggins on his album December (1998)[7]
- Shawn Colvin on her album Holiday Songs and Lullabies (1998)[8]
- Fourplay on their album Snowbound (1999)[9]
- Cyrus Chestnut on his album A Charlie Brown Christmas (2000)[10]
- Nancy Wilson on her album A Nancy Wilson Christmas (2001)[11]
- Johnny Mathis on his album The Christmas Album (in a medley with "Snowfall") (2002)[12]
- Ivy on the album Maybe This Christmas (2004)[13]
- MercyMe on their album The Christmas Sessions (2005)[14]
- Diana Krall on her album Christmas Songs (2005)[15]
- Sarah McLachlan (featuring Diana Krall) on her album Wintersong (2006)[16]
- Jars of Clay on their album Christmas Songs (2007)[17]
- The Four Freshmen on their album Snowfall (2007)[18]
- Al Jarreau on his album Christmas (2008)[19]
- A Fine Frenzy on her album Oh Blue Christmas (2009)[20]
- George Winston on his album Love Will Come – The Music of Vince Guaraldi, Volume 2 (2010)[21]
- Take 6 (featuring Shelea Frazier) on their album The Most Wonderful Time of the Year (2010)[22]
- Canadian Brass on the album Christmas Time is Here (2013)[23]
- Michael W. Smith (featuring Vince Gill) on his album The Spirit of Christmas (2014)[24]
- It was re-released on the soundtrack of the movie The Peanuts Movie in 2015.
- LeAnn Rimes on her Today Is Christmas (2015)[25]
- Sam Sparro on his EP Christmas in Blue (2017)[26]
- Khruangbin with their single Christmas Time Is Here (2018)[27]
See also
References
- ^ "The BMI Holiday Countdown: Vince Guaraldi Trio, "Christmas Time is Here"". BMI. December 20, 2011. Retrieved December 7, 2016.
- ^ Bang, Derrick (2012). A Charlie Brown Christmas (booklet). Beverly Hills: Concord Music Group. p. 12.
- ^ "Christmas Songs". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- ^ "Joy". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- ^ "Merry Axemas: A Guitar Christmas - Various Artists | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2019-01-01.
- ^ "Chicago 25: The Christmas Album". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- ^ "December". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- ^ "Holiday Songs and Lullabies". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- ^ "Snowbound". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- ^ "A Charlie Brown Christmas". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- ^ "A Nancy Wilson Christmas". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- ^ "The Christmas Album". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- ^ "Christmas Time Is Here". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- ^ "The Christmas Sessions". AllMusic. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
- ^ "Christmas Songs". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- ^ "Wintersong". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- ^ "Christmas Songs". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- ^ "Snowfall". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
- ^ "Christmas - Al Jarreau". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- ^ "Oh Blue Christmas". AllMusic. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
- ^ "Love Will Come: The Music of Vince Guaraldi, Vol. 2 - George Winston | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2019-11-17.
- ^ "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- ^ "Christmas Time Is Here". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- ^ "The Spirit of Christmas". AllMusic. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
- ^ "Today Is Christmas". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- ^ "Sam Sparro Goes From "Black And Gold" To "Blue" With Jazzy Christmas Album". Retrieved 3 December 2017.
- ^ "Christmas Time Is Here (N & S America Edition)". Retrieved 28 December 2018.
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