"Christmas Time Is Here," a classic holiday song
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.ย. 2024
- When Lee Mendelson produced the 1965 TV special, "A Charlie Brown Christmas," he got San Francisco jazz musician Vince Guaraldi to compose the music. The songs Guaraldi wrote, including "Christmas Time Is Here," are now considered classics. Correspondent David Pogue looks at how the music of Peanuts became inseparable from the joy and melancholy of the holiday season.
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I'm 50 years old. Every Christmas whenever I hear this song I am automatically 9 years old lying on the floor of my parents house in my pajamas before I have to go to sleep on Christmas Eve. 🎄
It’s interesting that you say that, since my dad’s almost 70, and from what he’s seen in his eyes, he tells me straight through. He remembers going home from school, very quickly, to watch the Beatles perform on “The Ed Sullivan Show”, and it quickly became nostalgic for him and other fans of the band at his age and beyond.
This song evokes many tender memories of Christmas time.
Thanks for sharing.
I am 65 and I have similar memories. I am sitting on the couch with my siblings, in our living room-Mom or Dad has turned the lights out to make it like a movie. We are always mesmerized by Charles Shultz’s Christmas story. What wonderful memories.
Im.50 was 9 to
@@amymeanor8879 Another old-timer here (60 years old). I also have fond memories of watching this special, along with "Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer" and "Frosty the Snowman." Those were the days...
One of the best Christmas soundtracks of all time!
Yes!!
Absolutely!
Yessiree!
Yup and the powers that be hated it. Glad no one listened to tyem
The best ever!
I was 10 yo when I watched this show in 1965 and I have watched every year since then. Christmas is not Christmas without this wonderful show and amazing music.
You can’t help but smile whenever you hear this song.
Can I get an Amen :)!!!
It does nothing to me I hate Christmas.
@@jessefinch4071 Grinch troll!
This makes me cry. I think about how this is my first Christmas without my loving grandparents. I miss them very much. Wishing you all a merry Christmas out there.
Merry Christmas, Sweetie. The first is the hardest, but I still hope you find pleasure in the old and new memories of the holiday.
Wait until your parents are dead, and then you’ll feel all alone
Sending hugs. The firsts are always hard. I hope you and your loved ones have a Merry Christmas.
My apologies for saying at least for me it hasn’t gotten easier. This song is a trigger for me that I can’t help but to listen to. Sad but happy tears from wonderful memories. Merry Christmas
Guaraldi’s recordings, Charlie Brown soundtrack or otherwise, have an unmistakable vibe that have never been duplicated. Beauty everywhere, indeed.
I agree wholeheartedly. Vince Guaraldi was an amazing musician.
~Also agree wholeheartedly. Within the past 10 years I heard a statistic that only 3% of the (U.S.) public listens to Jazz. This needs to be rectified.:) As not only is there such a variety of Jazz styles (including every performance being unique), there would be more Jazz artists and recordings if people were encouraged to recognize its vast and rich qualities. Vince Guaraldi proves this still!! If anyone knows of Guaraldi-inspired pianists or similar sounds, please post them here. He is treasured!
@@peaceshepherding529 I’ve read it as low as 2%. But, honestly, that feels about right. Jazz is not for the masses. It is art music. Few people have a Picasso or a Matisse hanging in their living room. Few people can do calculus or even algebra in their heads. Few people know even a little bit about how their own body works. And few people appreciate jazz or classical music. If jazz were to try to appeal to the masses, it would have to make too many compromises. This is how you get Kenny G. No, thank you.
@@terrydrums I don’t agree, respectfully. Socrates proved an uneducated, enslaved boy had innate abilities to solve geometric equations -thus, implied, most everyone has capacities to make connections and appreciate qualities of life, though many may not recognize these truths, even in ourselves. I believe exposure is essential to learning and appreciation. Further, any gateway has potential, including Kenny Gee. :) I also believe people who love Vince Guaraldi’s Chas. Brown soundtrack often haven’t recognized they’re loving Jazz, nor explored it further. Let’s encourage connections and the vitality of diversity!
@@peaceshepherding529 very good point! You have a great way with words, you seem to have quite a creative mind.
I am 60 years old, so watching this at age 4-5 was such perfect timing for leaving a lifelong impression on my memories of Christmas. The generation that experienced this tv program, as well as Rudolph by Rankin Bass, at the peak of their believing years, was really fortunate. These programs were and are such treasures. 🔔🎄❄️
Thank you for your comment. I am 62, and feel that we were so blessed to have those shows on television and that those tv execs were persuaded to put them on their network. I bet you loved the CBS live Krafts musical of "Cinderella" also.
I'm the same age too. We had all the original broadcasts of the classic animated Christmas specials as children. This one, Rudolph, Frosty, the Grinch. Come to think of it Sesame Street and Mr. Rodgers premiered in that same four or five year time span. It was the golden era of children's programming.
I was 6 when this premiered. Left a deep, life-long impression. It's just not Christmas if I miss watching it (and I've rarely missed it, all these years). For many years, would decorate the living room during A Charlie Brown Christmas, or play the Vince Guaraldi Trio's album while doing so. Still to this day brings tears to my eyes at the end when I hear "Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!," as the chorus breaks into "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing." An annual emotional joy!
Same age here...what a great time for us to be kids back in the 1960s...
@@patriciamorgan6545 The voices that yelled Merry Christmas Charlie Brown were the same "kids" that were on the CBS Sunday Morning show.
The whole album is my favorite Christmas cd. Never gets old or annoying, just peaceful and wonderful. 💜
I keep a copy of the cd in my call all year. The first note always brings a tear to my eyes.
@@leahrobinson4783 Same here! 🙂
I started listening to it right after Halloween this year.
Oh, the CLASSICS never do.
I love the song "Christmas Time is Here". The legacy of these musicians created will last forever.
I was 8 yrs old in 1965 when I first saw " A Charlie Brown Christmas", hearing " Christmas Time Is Here" always reminds me of how the season should really be, love, happiness, hope and peace, truly a classic, thank you Charles Schultz, Vince Guaraldi and Lee Mendelson for this wonderful, timeless cartoon, Merry Christmas to everyone 🎅🎄❄️☃️👋
I was too
Me too Susan! I was 7 years old. It always takes us back.
A little older at 12, but it still had a wonderful, lasting effect on me. Gotta have a fix every year.
@@spikespa5208 Hi there, we gotta have our A Charlie Brown Christmas fix every year, no matter how old we are, this sweet little cartoon makes the holiday season fun 😊
This story made my day. My beloved dad used to take me, in a stroller, to see Vince Guaraldi in Sausalito, CA, when I was a baby. He passed away, age 85, just a few months ago. I'm going to share this story with my mom, in the hopes it will bring a bit of cheer to her this holiday season. Thank you, CBS!
This song isn't just a classic. It's iconic. It's a precious part of the childhood of virtually everyone who's grown up in America in the last fifty years! It certainly holds a special place in my heart. :-)
Can I get a Amen!!! and Cheers to you man!!!!!!:)!!
It's an iconic piece of Americana that young and old can relate to
Growing up in the 70's, this was must see tv 📺. A major event in my household and my friends too.
The three chorus members still sound beautiful!!
My late husband Tim *loved* A Charlie Brown Christmas and I always think of him when I hear "Christmas Time is Here." I think he appreciated it's melancholic quality.
I was born in 1964 definitely grew up with this, one of my favorites! I remember having to wait for Christmas just to watch
No cable
No VCR
No internet
What a great piece for the masses during this vulnerable time in the world. The story is priceless. Thanks so much!
Vince Guaraldi always wanted to compose a classic/standard. He got his wish. He wrote three.
I absolutely adore Bill the Cat -- a vision of the lovable absurdity in life.
I have a poster of Bill sitting on the cat box, reading the newspaper.
I think the song Cast Your Fate to the Wind is tied with this song.
@@guerralg63 Yes, you are correct. "Cast" came before "Christmas Time..." By almost 2 years.
I'm 64 years old and still watch this classic every year!
I think that was a tear that just welled up in my eye.
I was 4 and a half when the first Charlie Brown special was shown on TV and I remember immediately becoming infatuated with the dog in the show. My sister, soon after, decided to take me to a pet store in town, without our parents' knowledge or permission, to buy a dog. There, in the window, I saw the cutest black and white fox terrier puppy, and begged my sister to get us that one. She did and the rest is history. Snoopy Zelda Godzilla Rosenthal became an integral part of our family until her death, 16 years later. She was a great friend and we, "all", loved her, alot. Thank G-d for understanding parents.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS, EVERYONE!
It's great how you squeezed Godzilla in there.
Wonderful sister and parents. Our pup is 15 so I understand the bond. Your comment brought me much joy this morning. Thank you.
Awww. I was 5. Sweet story
❤❤❤❤❤❤
@marvinrosenthal. Merry Christmas Marvin. May everyone know the true meaning of Christmas which the birth of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Dominus Vobiscum 🙏♥️
Okay, I have chill bumps now after seeing this story. It's such a part of what I am in so many ways. I'm a consumit Charlie Brown fan and I love hearing the background story of what made it great.
Me too! I love Charlie Brown!!!! My nieces and nephews call me up when there is a Peanuts special on TV. ❤️
Anticipation...no streaming...Dr. Dentins pajamas, blankets on the floor, shag carpeting, hot chocolate, not a care in the world waiting for A Charlie Brown Christmas to come on the TV. Being a kid in the 70s was just amazing. I wouldn't trade it for anything and I feel sorry for kids growing up in our hyper-technological world.
Thank you for reminding how I felt a-like many others as a child of the early 70's. Cheers to you!!!!
I bought the charlie Brown Christmas, video, and although I enjoy watching it, its not the same without the old commercials from 1968, 69 and 70.
your tooooooooooooooooooooooo hardcore!!
@@guerralg63 yes. I agree with you! The sad thing is, the technology required to authentic simulate that experience is pretty far off lol just gotta meditate on those memories😎😊
@@guerralg63 I remember the Dolly Madison commercials from all the Charlie Brown specials. Great childhood memories!
This music to A Charlie Brown Christmas is the soundtrack of my childhood Christmases. It was my favorite by far of all the Christmas TV specials and I loved the music the most. I was a kid and didn't even know what jazz was, but I knew I loved the music.
Hearing the original singers made me cry!!!!!!!!
Me too. CBS Sunday Morning knocked it out of the park with this story.
Best featured piece.
I sometimes play the soundtrack in July. Perfect!
How many kids got turned on to Jazz from Vince Guaraldi’s Music? I’m one❤️
"Cast Your Fate To The Wind" was my original hook into Guaraldi's music. He and Brubeck led me to jazz via Duke Ellington. Such wonderful music. Thank you for this story. I have often wondered about the back story of the score.
Everyone involved with this song take a bow 👍🏼
I'm of the generation where the holiday cartoons/shows were shown one time and one time only during the season; if you missed it, you had to wait until next year's showing. They were truly an event and made the holidays more special to me. When this came on TV, you knew Christmas time was truly here! Happy New Year to all🥳
I’m 68, I grew up with this music, Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the gang. It wasn’t Christmas without the Charlie Brown Christmas Special on television every year. I ended up living down the street from the Charles Schultz Redwood Ice Arena in Santa Rosa California. We went to the annual Christmas Ice Show every Year which was spectacular. Mr Schultz loved to play ice hockey. The aren has a wonderful shop and gallery of Mr Schultz art work. Great memories from childhood.
Back when time was endless, seemingly innocent, and Christmas had a sense of magic. The world did not intrude on an 8 year old kid. Everyone was still alive and healthy. All this and more is triggered when I hear this song. Just the sheer bliss of watching Snoopy skating and having a grand time is heart warming.
To everyone here! I too grew up in the 60's! How I loved Charlie Brown Christmas. Sitting in front of our living room TV,watching on CBS. My beautiful Mom beside me...Rudolph was another yearly classic,oh the memories! How blessed are we to have grown up in a simpler time... beautiful TV,beautiful music! What a gift that lives on for decades&every Christmas! Thank you Charlie&Snoopy&the Peanuts gang. Thank you Charles Schulz. Thank you Vince Guaraldi&Lee Mendelsohn. From a child's wondrous eyes to adulthood,you are a part of our lives.
Merry Christmas to all! Christmas Time is here!
Oh man, I'm crying. Just crying 😢
I'm 57 years old now and I'm still in love with A Charlie Brown Christmas. As a little girl, my other sisters and brothers couldn't wait to see this wonderful television show during the Christmas holidays. And the music...unbelievably beautiful and heartwarming. This classic show will always be just that...CLASSIC!
Childhood favorite of mine and my children ❤
LOVE the fact that the network hated every single thing about it and the public adored it from its debut! Thank-you for sharing this great story.
Just shows you how much the big wigs know.
Further evidence about what they say about the Hollywood-New York media establishment: "No one knows anything" (i.e., no one can predict what will be successful, especially based on conventional marketing measures & prediction models).
Peace of Earth Goodwill toward men . What a great segment about one of the greatest pieces of television art ever made . Merry Christmas everyone
I was born in 1965 and have watched this every year since! It’s a Christmas classic. A wonderful childhood memory that has stood the test of time!Thank you for sharing the story behind it! Such great talent and collaboration to bring it to fruition-What an honor to be part of that! Thanks to all involved - Merry Christmas 🎄🎁
My absolute favorite! And it was so wonderful to see some of the boys/men who sang the song. Nice touch.
A footnote to the story - this week "A Charlie Brown Christmas" album moves up to #8 on the Billboard 200 (US) album chart! It is the highest position the album has reached since it was released 56 years ago! Also, the song "Christmas Time Is Here" is more popular this year as well. It is #42 on today's US Spotify streaming chart! Merry Christmas everyone! 🎄⛄
WOW! Wonder if the "CBS Sunday Morning" story helped that along??
@@DavidPogue It would show on next week's chart, which includes the period Dec 17-23. I have been hearing the music alot this year! ⛄🎄
@@DavidPogue It would have to be due to the piano playing in the CBS Sunday Morning story :) Merry Christmas David.
This is THE song. Period.
I’ve watched this every year for 56 years now…I can’t believe it. It is so wonderful to see this compilation video that tells me so much more of this iconic films history. Wow. Fantastic. I had no idea that the music was originally a jazz type song. I thought that it had to be a famous opus from Beethoven or Bach. Thanks for sharing this. America was such a young country in 1965 to me. I was so young. May 2022 be a great year for everyone.
Just watched it on PBS. I'm 62 and I've been watching it since the beginning. Love it.
This made me so teary eyed. It does take me back to that innocent time before the internet.
In 1966, our military family had just recently returned from three years overseas. At that time, broadcast television was the only game in town. We had four stations to choose from and like many only had a black and white tv. Fortunately, our neighbor had a color tv and had us over to watch Charlie Brown and the gang.
I am older than that. I am a child again watching Charlie Brown Christmas.
Such an interesting and moving backstory to such a great piece of Christmas music. 🎄🎵
This has always been one of my favorite Christmas specials! Charlie Brown asking in frustration if anyone can tell him what Christmas is all about? Linus with his blanket and “lights please” and telling the Christmas story as written in the Gospel of Luke makes me tear up every time! I may be 60 something, but I still watch it on TV every year, have the CD of the music, and also a DVD of the Charlie Brown Christmas…..I have been known to play Christmas music all. year. long. cuz it is just so comforting….and at my age, one tries to do things to keep stress levels and blood pressure down!!
What a wonderful song and a wonderful TV problem for children and adults I grew up with it I am 63 years old and I still watch it every year
How wonderful that CBS was able to track down the choirboys. It made me cry.
Best featured piece.
It's not even a song really, it's an entire mood encompassing all parts of your being
Any adaptation of this classic song- whether piano or Jazzed up, is one to listen to, during the Holiday season. I can’t listen to this and NOT think of the Peanuts children singing along to this. Merry Christmas, Peanuts and Schultz.
Well said and Cheers to you!
im 60 years old and i still love to watch charlie brown, rudolph, little drummer boy, and the rest of those wonderful heartwarming cartoons ever!!
63, and I still tear up every year when this song is played.
From San Francisco too.
One of my all-time favorite Christmas songs. So elegant.
Thank you for that behind the scenes piece! What a blessing it is to have those voices, music and snoopy on skates ❤️🎄
All my childhood memories of Christmastime rolled up in a song.
Now that is a Holiday Classic from 1965.
It brings me back to Grammer School back in the late 60's early 70's. I will always love the Peanuts gang. A big part of my life.
A must every year! Sometimes 3 or 4, or more!!!🎄
This was cool.
I am 57 this was every Xmas song when we were little!!!!!
For me it's imperfect singing of the children. The kids slightly cracking on the high notes. It sounds like children at a kindergarten Christmas concert at a school. I think that's why people really love it. Childhood innocence and nostalgia!
The choir members were highly trained vocalists, and it was difficult to get the sound you refer to. Lots of takes. Very disconcerting to the choir director as well. Thank you for your comment.
Dave Willat-St. Paul's Choir
Surprisingly, this beautiful piece hit me like a ton of bricks. Thanks for sharing the story of this classic. This is reporting at its finest. Bringing in the original singers at the end...I'm not crying, there's just something in my eye. By the way, these men deserve royalties!
Thank You for reporting on a alk time classic song and cartoon
Love Charlie Brown Christmas
Despite the 3 main tv networks not broadcasting it anymore for future generation
I bought the DVD and play it every year for my kids and grandkids
Yes
Those 3 gentlemen your song will firever be cherished
I had to get the video about 7 or 8 years ago sooo I would know where my next meal was coming from lol lol. But, PBS will do it this years, I know I know it just not the same!!!
My absolute favorite. I have a set of the ceramic figures that were shown with Charles Schulz. They are priceless to me.
There is something incredibly special about this song. It taps into a deep place of warmth and nostalgia for me, where I’m still a child experiencing the wonder and magic of Christmas.
When i hear Skating it brings tears to my eyes because The peanuts gang was my whole childhood and i was born in the 80s.
The guys sound great. They should go on tour.
the fact that this special ever made to air on time to begin with... is a true Christmas Miracle.. I'm 70 years old and so glad I get to hear and relive the spirt that this brings every year since I saw it the very 1st time on the living room floor with my mother's old black and white Zenith
Those guys singing took me back to when I was 12.
That is so classic. One of the best Christmas songs ever. You have to hear it at least once during the season, or you're missing out.
"Oh, that we
could always see
such spirit through the year."
Listening to this brings happy tears to my eyes, sweet memories, I close my eyes and see Xmas past.
For its time, just about everything about A Charlie Brown Christmas is perfect. “Christmastime Is Here” seems simple on the one hand, but that blend of innocence and sophistication, the melancholic and the hopeful hits all the feels. Very satisfying, and I’m glad to know the backstory now 🙏🏾🙏🏿🙏🏽
Goose bumps from my scalp to my toes. Even my face is numb and tingling!
Brings tears to my eyes every time. 😢
Memories of my teenage years back in Peru, translating Charlie Brown movies to my nieces and nephews 🥰🥰😣🥰🥰
I’ve been listening to this since Thanksgiving. It makes me happy calm and smile 🌺
My favorite Christmas album of all time. I love that my children love it too.
Love this song and all the iconic Charlie Brown music. The 40th anniversary album has all my favorites, including Patti Austin’s version of this song. Beautiful.
Best story covered. Thanks!
This music warms the heart!
This CD sound track is a masterpiece, it first was on CD in 1988, I have the 2012 copy at a Target 2 years ago. It's by concord music group. Inc. thanks for sharing and Merry Christmas ☃️🎄
When a Charlie Brown Christmas came out I was 4 and satisfied reading maybe 5 words. The limited vocabulary frustrated my teacher grandmother. After a Charlie Brown Christmas I spent weeks and weeks with her learning to read Charlie Brown books, other children books and my Dad's old Pogo books before graduating to science books, then reading the entire Encyclopedia Britanica by age 7. So Charlie Brown gave me a valuable gift. He ignited a passion to read and discover. Still every Christmas, it's 1965, in the warm parlor on the floor, the white plastic village under the tree, the red, orange, blue, green glow of the hot ancient Mazda tree lights to my right with the cold wind and giant icicles just beyond the window, while Lucy wants real-estate, Linus shows amazing skill with a blanket, Charlie Brown endures / perseveres being called a block head and I hear Hark the Herald Angles for the first time.
Beautiful, timeless and I never get tired of it! Wherever or whenever it plays people say "Peanuts!!"-(the Christmas time Is Here tune)😂🤗💕
I've got the DVD, part of my Christmas tradition to get me into Christmas cheer.
Me too. I never get tired of watching it.
So do I, but I miss the commercials from 1968 through 70.
I can hear this song sung in a heavenly kingdom.
Love!! You have the most touching stories. Thank you
Not every Xmas is complete to me without the Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack! I was watching the show on Sunday on PBS. I enjoy it much more than it was on ABC.
A Charlie Brown Christmas was released when I was 10, so the music of Vince Guaraldi is such a soundtrack to my childhood...ah, the sweet memories.
When I hear the soundtrack it feels like time stops and pauses and nothing in that very moment can hurt me- everything feels calm and safe. 💚
Lovely, wonderful memories.
This music will always remind me how good my childhood was along with home and Christmas and it introduced me to Vince Guaraldi and jazz.
I,grew up with this classic as a child. As a adult I still watch the peanuts perform this classic song and watch the video. It was a pleasure too see,the behind the scenes of making this!!. As an adult watching this,I feel like a child all over again it is very heartfelt humbling experience to see that this is still around after many decades and it still touches the heart's of children young and old❤️.
The Charlie Brown Christmas was my first exposure to jazz. Vince Guaraldi has forever been my favorite jazz artist. That this music is still going strong after 60 years makes it a classic.
Doesn’t matter if it’s August, I LOVE this song as well as other holiday music. Reminds me of Christmas in Slidell, Louisiana in 1975. ❤️❤️
How my 7 siblings and I looked so forward to holiday specials! Simpler timers. Simple joys.
🎄🎁🎄🎁🎄
I cried when they sang it again for the first time since 1965! 😭
In 1965, I was ten. This music has been with me a long time 😊❤️🎄
Love when these Sunday Morning videos pop up in my YT. For about 5 minutes I disconnect from all the craziness out there.
i love how they sang it at the end. and so well.
I'm 57 and my wife teases me over a Snoopy watch I wear on occasion. I remind her that I was born in 1964. If someone should be wearing this watch, it's me.