25. "Christmas Time Is Here," Vince Guaraldi Trio
from the original soundtrack album "A Charlie Brown Christmas," Fantasy 8431Highest chart position: #68 Digital (2005)
Recorded July 1965, San Francisco, CA
Pick your choice of either the vocal version (with this veteran jazz pianist backed by the cast of the Peanuts special) or the more ambitious, more thoughtful six-minute instrumental version -- either way, this is the perfect soundtrack to not just those lovably neurotic children, but the season itself. Vince's trio is stubbornly rhythmic yet always relaxed, making this a great comedown for the after-festivities, when the annoying relatives are gone, the screechy kids have burned themselves out, and you're reflecting in front of the fire. "Oh, that we could always see / such spirit through the year," indeed. (Also used in the movie The Royal Tenenbaums and as the "sad" theme on the TV show Arrested Development.)
Hear a clip of the song
Read the lyrics
Buy the CD
Get the chords and tabs
Get the sheet music
Watch the video of "Christmas Time Is Here" on YouTube
