The Music of Christmas – Day 2: “Winter Wonderland”

“Winter Wonderland”
By America

As I mentioned yesterday, today’s choice, “Winter Wonderland”, is a song I have a distinct memory of listening to in my childhood, on a “Sesame Street” Christmas record, no less. I remember the song being cut off after the first verse, because Oscar hated it. Well, darn it, Oscar, I liked it! Why’d you have to stop Big Bird from singing it?

Ahem.

Anyway, this arrangement of “Winter Wonderland” is by the band America. I first heard this version about five days prior to my initial trial at writing about Christmas music — seriously. I had never heard this version prior, but it made such an impression that it instantly made the list. One of the songs that I will stop and listen to on the radio is “Horse With No Name” by America — doesn’t matter where it is in the song, I’ll listen to it until the end. I’ve found as I’ve grown older, one of my favorite musical genres is 70’s Yacht Rock. That groove puts me in a good mood.

Yes, I’m old.

Well, this version of “Winter Wonderland” combines the familiar melody with the stylings of America . You can hear the “La La La”‘s as if they were still on that horse in the desert, and that’s why I like this arrangement. When I found out it was actually released in 2002, I did a double take. It feels so much like their 70’s style. So I suppose we have horses with no names pulling the sleighs.

Tomorrow – Another more modern take on a perennial favorite.