A Charlie Brown Christmas cover

A Charlie Brown Christmas

Vince Guaraldi · 1965

55 min · 16 tracks · bossa nova · Latin jazz · soundtrack

A jazzy, whimsical soundtrack that perfectly encapsulates the nostalgic spirit of Christmas through charming melodies and gentle rhythms.

Why this album works

'A Charlie Brown Christmas' has become a cultural staple, routinely airing every holiday season since its debut. Its unique blend of jazz and traditional Christmas music not only topped the Billboard Jazz Albums chart but also received critical acclaim, including an Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Children's Programming.
Career context
When Vince Guaraldi released 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' in December 1965, he was already an established jazz pianist but found new recognition in the realm of television soundtracks. This album marked a significant shift in his career, as it became one of the first animated specials to feature a jazz score prominently, establishing Guaraldi as a key figure in holiday music.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 O Tannenbaum Standout 5:11
  • 2 What Child Is This 2:23
  • 3 My Little Drum 3:13
  • 4 Linus and Lucy Standout 3:08
  • 5 Christmas Time Is Here (instrumental) 6:08
  • 6 Christmas Time Is Here (vocal) Standout 2:47
  • 7 Skating 2:41
  • 8 Hark, the Herald Angels Sing 1:54
  • 9 Christmas Is Coming 3:26
  • 10 Für Elise 1:04
  • 11 The Christmas Song 3:18
  • 12 Greensleeves 5:29
  • 13 Christmas Is Coming (alternate take 1) 4:34
  • 14 The Christmas Song (alternate take 3) 3:53
  • 15 Greensleeves (alternate take 6) 5:03
  • 16 Christmas Time Is Here (alternate vocal take) 1:26

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata