Story Behind The Song

This is one of several songs written for cool jazz singer June Christie by the writing team of Arnold Miller and Connie Pearce, arranged by the renowned Pete Ruggolo, released on an album in 1961 called "This Time of Year". The album remains a holiday classic to this day. In collaboration with bassist/arranger Jon Burr and his sextet, I recorded and released my six favorite songs from this collection in an EP called "7 Shades of Snow". The EP won a 2021 Global Music Award in the best vocal category.

Song Description

A cheerful song about getting rid of the year's painful memories by celebrating the holidays.

Lyrics

It's a terrible disgrace
All this trash around the place
As the end of the year is drawing near
These are things I can't discard
But it shouldn't be too hard
To find a way to use them
Since I can't give away or lose them

I'll take the sorrows of last November
Make them a part of Christmas Day
Color them shiny bright and gay
And hang them on the tree

I'll take the quarrels of last September
Cold with the words all sad and grey
Cover them with a silver spray
And hang them on the tree

Every worry, every fear (vocal up, band down)
I'll tie on a string with every tear
Watch them dance in a Christmas light
A year's worth of troubles, shining bright

(Horn figure up)
I didn't realize last December
They could be used a better way
Payed for then, enjoyed much later
Time is the greatest decorator
Paint those mean things
Red and green things

Instrumental Solos - guitar up

Every worry, every fear (vocal up, band down)
I'll tie on a string with every tear
Watch them dance in a Christmas light
A year's worth of troubles, shining bright

(Horn figure up)

I didn't realize last December (vocal up, band down, coming up, piano up)
They could be used a better way
Payed for then, enjoyed much later
Time is the greatest decorator
Paint those mean things
Red and green things
And hang them on the tree