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Sleigh Ride
The Ronettes
Long before compilations such as 'The Best Christmas Album In The World...Ever' got the Christmas party going, it was 'A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector' that ensured that the festive season went with a swing. Tracks such as Sleigh Ride have become as much a part of Christmas celebrations as decorations and Mistletoe. Despite being called "the |  Song facts | | Composer | Leroy Anderson & Mitchell Parish
| | | Genre | Pop | | | Album | A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector | | | Year Of Release | 1963 |
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greatest rock & roll Christmas album" of all time, it is hard to believe that the LP was not a success when released in November 1963. However, America was not in the mood for Christmas records, as the album came out on the same day JF Kennedy was assassinated.
Even though you can almost hear the snow falling on the track, Sleigh Ride was recorded in Los Angeles in the heat of the summer. Featuring the future Mrs Spector, Ronnie Bennett, the song conjured up a speedy trip through the snow at a breakneck speed. Also speedy was the six week recording schedule, with beds set up in the studio and breaks frowned on.
Spector's "Wall Of Sound" production technique with lavish orchestration, layers of percussion and tons of echo included overloading the tape during recording to the point of distortion; "I don't care if the dials jump off the meters" Spector said. "I want it to sound distorted".
The melody to the song was written by Leroy Anderson in the middle of a particularly hot summer in 1947 and the tune would become a Christmas classic thanks to imaginative sound effects, including sleigh bells, clopping hooves and cracking whips. However, it wasn't until Phil Spector and the Ronettes released their version that the song became familiar to the rock 'n' roll generation.
Listen to Phil Spector on creating that Wall Of Sound | |
Tim Blackmore talks to the creator of a unique sound - "I don't know who invented the name "Wall Of Sound". It was to try and put as much on the tape and break every tradition and condition".
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Other versions | |
 Hear the Carpenters breezy version of Sleigh Ride that was featured on their 1984 compilation Christmas Portrait.
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Songwriting tips Getting the recording and the production right is crucial. Find out more in In The Studio | | |
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