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Winter Wonderland

Rating:
3.2 / 5

Words & Music: Felix Bernard Dick Smith

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening
In the lane, snow is glistening
A beautiful sight, we're happy tonight
Walkin' in a winter wonderland

Gone away is the bluebird
Here to stay is a new bird
He sings a love song as we go along
Walkin' in a winter wonderland

In the meadow we can build a snowman
Then pretend that he is Parson Brown
He'll say are you married
We'll so no man,
But you can do the job when you're in town

Later on we'll conspire
As we dream by the fire
To face unafraid
The plans that we made
Walkin' in a winter wonderland

Recordingdate: 1971/05/16, first released on: Elvis Sings the Wonderful World of Christmas (album)

Musicians

Musicians who contributed to the first recording of Winter Wonderland:

(guitar)
(guitar)
(guitar)
(bass)
(drums)
(piano)
(organ)
(organ)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(percussion)

Availability

Find available albums with Winter Wonderland.

old shep wrote on April 09, 2008
Sorry but I hate Elvis' version of this fine Christmas classic. I know that Elvis took songs and moulded them to his own individual style but he would have been better leaving it alone or singing it as it was supposed to be sung, listen to the Johnny Mathis or Doris Day version to see what i mean. As for the corny ending, i'll say no more!
JLpResLey wrote on January 11, 2009
Of course, it´s nothing special, but I like it. I think it´s a cool version and I like the ending too. I´ve never been a fan of the song itself, but Elvis sings it really different. That´s the whole thing with Elvis and christmas songs. He did not do them like Bing Crosby or anyone else, he did them in his own style and it´s something I admire him for.
Steve V wrote on January 11, 2009
Never cared much for this on the original LP, but on the new Duets CD it sounds totally refreshing. I guess just the added instruments & improved sound did it, but it is now an enjoyable recording. I heard this song on the radio this past season more than any other Elvis song. Give the new version a listen.
Marty_TCE wrote on January 11, 2009
I only ever listen to this song at Christmas time. The version on the duets album is very nice but I have never really been too taken with this standard Xmas fayre.
JerryNodak wrote on January 11, 2009
I have "Winter Wonderland" by Johnny Mathis and Doris Day. As well as Perry Como, Andy Williams and others of that type. I like their versions, but I don't want Elvis singing it like them. I want Elvis to sing it his way, and he does. It's not one of my faves on "Wonderful World of Christmas", but I don't have a problem listening to it. I prefer the "new" version on the "Christmas Duets" album. It's like hearing the song again for the first time. I should they should completely redo the "WWOC" album this way for a new generation (and us oldsters too).
Rob Wanders wrote on March 21, 2010
I like Elvis'version of this famous song; though he sings a bit out of tune sometimes; but it has a nice beat in it, and the ending is great.
Deano1 wrote on March 21, 2010
The worst track on an outstanding LP "The Wonderful World Of Christmas" (1971). The song has never been one of my favorite seasonal tunes (Dolly Parton's version is the worst! and Johnny Mathis', like most of his songs, is a little dull) and Elvis' version is fare, but nothing spectacular. Elvis does not sing it "out of tune" (or off key, flat or pitchy... instruments are "out of tune", I know the Beatles wrote a song about singing out of tune, but let's quit trying to be American Idol judges), but he doesn't sound overly interested in the song and mumbles the word Winter (sounds like winner). This one (2 1/2 stars, leaning closer to 2 stars) and "Silver Bells" are the two songs on this album that I could do without, but the other nine are fantastic.
dgirl wrote on March 21, 2010
My least favorite Elvis Christmas song. No ,he isn't out of tune, but he certainly sounds like he has no interest in singing it. Why did he then? There were plenty of good songs for the holidays to choose from. The remix on Duets is slightly better, with a little more punch and it even makes Elvis sound better, but it sure isnt a classic rendition either way and adding the 'Elvis ending' to this song I think makes it worse. UGH.
old shep wrote on March 21, 2010
Don't like the original 1970s version at all but I do like the Duets version which sounds altogether different and with a little more punch. Hate the corny ending though, that should have been edited out.
shoesuedeblues wrote on March 21, 2010
The song is one of my all time favourites, be it by Mathis, Dean Martin or Doris Day. But not alas this Elvis version from his 70s Christmas album. He really does give the impression of indifference to the song and his murder of the English language with his Winner Wonder Land is annoying. Strangely enough this doesn't sound to bad on the Christmas Duets album, in fact I like this one.
NONE000000 wrote on March 21, 2010
I have to echo everyone else--not crazy about Elvis' original version, but they did a nice job when they redid the music for the (otherwise horrible) Christmas Duets cd. Not as impressive as "The First Noel" re-working, but it was an improvement. It is probably one of my least fav Christmas songs in general though, whether by Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis or even Elvis. Just not a good song in general.
TY1975 wrote on March 22, 2010
Elvis performs a terrific version of Winter Wonderland on the outstanding Elvis Sings The Wonderful World of Christmas album, the best and most unique version of this song I've ever heard. While the 2008 version with new backgrounds on the Elvis Presley Christmas Duets album is interesting, it still does not compare to his 1971 version. Second best version after Elvis to me would be the 1965 recording by Burl Ives on his Have a Holly Jolly Christmas album.
Monster wrote on March 09, 2011
Elvis seems to be going through the motions here, obviously he was keen to wrap up the Christmas material and move on to other songs. An average effort but I don't mind listening to it. At Christmas.
Marc JB wrote on March 10, 2011
An average performance...But the "elvis ending" is the best part.
Natha wrote on February 06, 2012
For me this is one of those songs I like to listen to during the winter holidays. I enjoy listening to his voice while reflecting the winter season. As such it is a song I like to listen to all through the year.
GEORGE (GK) wrote on February 06, 2012
I like both versions. But, the new "duets" version, is a bit better. Elvis does a nice job, but it does lack something in his vocals. I remember letting a friend borrow the 70s Christmas album back in the 80s and she said, "He sounds very tired or sick"! I was shocked by her review of the album. But there are times, he does sound a bit Nasal, and tired, so I can now see, her point of view. Regardless I enjoy the album and it has a special place in my heart. However, if Elvis had put the same energy that he had put into his 50s Christmas album, he could have made a masterpiece of a Christmas Album, in the 70s. He should have taken his time with it, and recorded the album at the American Studios in Memphis.
freedom101 wrote on February 07, 2012
I love both of Elvis' Christmas LPs but why was "Mama Liked The Roses" included on one of the albums? I love the song but it doesn't belong on a Christmas LP.
ElvisSacramento wrote on October 08, 2012
I've heard so many different singers sing this classic winter song, but the best rendition of it that I've ever heard is Elvis' rendition.
Gorse wrote on October 08, 2012
I don't think Elvis felt entirely comfortable with this song, and it is not one of his more inspired performances. The rousing finish is to me, also a highlight of the song, and overall it receives 3 stars.
sugartummy wrote on April 22, 2013
Elvis also did Wings of an angel in the studio, so that should be in here as well.
sugartummy wrote on June 12, 2013
I like this song, with James Burton in fine form and the fun Elvis ending. Can't say the 2008 "remix" sounds better.
Cruiser621 wrote on August 06, 2017
A half baked effort if ever there was one. Not a great song as sung by Elvis.
JerryNodak wrote on December 08, 2018
Not my fave Elvis Christmas song, but not my least either. I don't have all the problems with it that some other fans do. 3 stars.
Gorse wrote on December 28, 2019
I stand by my original comment on this song but having just played the RPO version moves up my appreciation by a notch.
DerekH wrote on October 15, 2020
Roll on Christmas so I can listen to all my Elvis Christmas Cd's this track included. *****
bajo wrote on October 16, 2020
The original Elvis version didn't really "hit" me! I liked the ending though! But, the revamp that appeared on later releases, actually had some "edge", imo! I can stand it better that way! But, Elvis for Christmas is always there....
Milky White Way wrote on June 11, 2021
To my ears, this and The first Noel are songs that Elvis struggles with. I wonder if his 1971 huge concert schedule put a strain on his voice. I don’t have major problems with it but just not as good as the rest of the Wonderful world ….album. 3 stars
DerekH wrote on October 04, 2022
It's a Christmas song, and love all of Elvis Christmas songs.
DerekH wrote on October 08, 2022
It's a Christmas song, it's Elvis, if it's Christmas time I'd play it. But only in Dec 🌲🌲
DerekH wrote on October 27, 2022
Christmas wouldn't be the same without an Elvis Christmas recording, everyone was a gem, I just love them all.
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