If cannonballing into the deep end of Christmas music feels like too much today, here’s a great tune to slowly wade in: “My Favorite Things”.
Originally from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music, this song debuted in the 1959 Broadway production, performed by Mary Martin. However, the version most of us know and love comes from Julie Andrews in the 1965 film adaptation. Andrews first performed the song publicly during a 1961 Christmas special on The Garry Moore Show. While it doesn’t explicitly mention Christmas or any winter holidays, its imagery of cozy and cheerful things has made it a seasonal favorite.
This rendition is by the great trumpeter and arranger Herb Alpert. Born in 1935 in East Los Angeles to Jewish immigrant parents from modern-day Ukraine and Romania, Alpert began playing trumpet at a young age. His career blossomed after attending a bullfight in Tijuana, which inspired his distinctive mariachi-influenced sound. Alpert later described the moment, saying:
“That’s when it hit me! Something in the excitement of the crowd, the traditional mariachi music, the trumpet calls heralding the fight, the yelling, the snorting of the bulls—it all clicked.”
That inspiration led to the creation of his signature style and the formation of Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass.
Fun fact: The Lonely Bull—inspired by that pivotal experience—was the first album released on A&M Records, a label Alpert co-founded with Jerry Moss in 1962.
The group’s eleventh release features Alpert himself dressed as Santa Claus on the cover. This version of “My Favorite Things” is a joy from start to finish. A stunning studio choir opens and weaves throughout the track, and the playful arrangement includes long pauses, dramatic pullbacks, and even a cheeky false ending. The piano interlude is a standout moment as well. My only complaint? It’s too short!
Merry Christmas season folks.
Hope you enjoy this great rendition.
Song: “My Favorite Things”
Artist: Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass
Album: Christmas Album
Year: 1968
Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens,
Bright copper kettles and warm wollen mittens,
Brown paper packages tied up with strings,
These are a few of my favorite things.
Cream colored ponies and crisp apple strudels,
Doorbells and sleigh-bells and schnitzel with noodles,
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings,
These are a few of my favorite things.
Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes,
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes,
Silver white winters that melt into springs,
These are a few of my favorite things.
When the dog bites,
When the bee stings,
When I´m feeling sad,
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don´t feel – so bad.
Recent Posts
- Empty Saddles · Burl Ives (1961)This song takes me back to a hike on Mt. Whitney with my friend Jordan. We were tackling the tough trail,… Read more: Empty Saddles · Burl Ives (1961)
- Cheap Seats · Alabama (1993)Alabama’s “Cheap Seats” feels like summer, and these past few days in San Diego reminds us that it’s coming soon. This… Read more: Cheap Seats · Alabama (1993)
- On The Sunny Side Of The Street · Aloysio De Oliveira (1957)I came across Aloysio de Oliveira’s name a few years ago while watching the old Disney film Saludos Amigos with my… Read more: On The Sunny Side Of The Street · Aloysio De Oliveira (1957)
- Help Me · Joni Mitchell (1974)The past few nights, I have been painting my kitchen. I’m not the fastest painter, but it has been peaceful in… Read more: Help Me · Joni Mitchell (1974)
- the 1 · Taylor Swift (2020)You might not expect to see a Taylor Swift song on this blog, but this is what’s been on my stereo… Read more: the 1 · Taylor Swift (2020)
My name is Michael Sanchez and I’m an avid record collector and obscure song searcher. My goal is to post (hopefully) one song a day that’s been on my stereo/turntable frequently. If you don’t like the song… too bad 🙂 You can just wait for the next one. All the info I find is from wikipedia/youtube/interviews/news articles/personal stories I’ve heard/random googling. Sorry if there are any mistakes.
Subscribe below to get some great tunes in your inbox each day. Or maybe forward to a friend you think would love the song. Hope you enjoy!
A quick note/pic…
Yesterday, being Thanksgiving, I felt so grateful to have these wonderfully beautiful people close to me. I’m so thankful for Noah, with his excitement for learning and his deep emotional awareness. I’m grateful for Levi, who brings so much joy with his love of life and warm snuggles. And I’m incredibly thankful for Maria, whose ability to create and see beauty in everything can’t be held back, with goodness and compassion radiating from her heart. Thankful for my family and for all of you out there as we share a few moments of our lives together, connecting through music.
Sanchez Song Of The Day 