Christmas Time Is Here

"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 children from St. Paul's Episcopal Church in San Rafael, California.

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] Other cover versions:

• Anita Baker on her album Christmas Fantasy (2005)^[3]
• Tony Bennett on his album A Swingin' Christmas (Featuring The Count Basie Big Band) (2008)^[4]
• David Benoit (featuring Michael Franks) on the album Remembering Christmas (1996)^[5]
• Canadian Brass on the album Christmas Time is Here (2013)^[6]
• Toni Braxton on her album Snowflakes (2001)^[7]
• Mariah Carey on her album Merry Christmas II You (2010)^[8]
• Cyrus Chestnut on his album A Charlie Brown Christmas (2000)^[9]
• Chicago on their album Chicago XXV: The Christmas Album (1998)^[10]
• Rosemary Clooney on her album White Christmas (1996)^[11]
• Shawn Colvin on her album Holiday Songs and Lullabies (1998)^[12]
• A Fine Frenzy on her album Oh Blue Christmas (2009)^[13]
• Fourplay on their album Snowbound (1999)^[14]
• Ivy on the album Maybe This Christmas (2004)^[15]
• Al Jarreau on his album Christmas (2008)^[16]
• Jars of Clay on their album Christmas Songs (2007)^[17]
• Diana Krall on her album Christmas Songs (2005)^[18]
• Kenny Loggins on his album December (1998)^[19]
• Melissa Manchester on her album Joy (1997) ^[20]
• Johnny Mathis on his album The Christmas Album (in a medley with "Snowfall") (2002)^[21]
• Sarah McLachlan (featuring Diana Krall) on her album Wintersong (2006)^[22]
• LeAnn Rimes on her Today Is Christmas (2015)^[23]
• Take 6 (featuring Shelea Frazier) on their album The Most Wonderful Time of the Year (2010)^[24]
• Mel Tormé on his album Christmas Songs (1992)^[25]
• Nancy Wilson on her album A Nancy Wilson Christmas (2001)^[26]
• Straight No Chaser Album Christmas Cheers (2009)
• George Winston on his album Love Will Come: The Music of Vince Guaraldi, Volume 2 (2010)^[27]
• Sam Sparro on his EP Christmas in Blue (2017)^[28]
• John Legend in his 2018 Christmas album A Legendary Christmas

See also

• List of jazz standards
• Christmas music

References