Winter Wonderland
Song written by Felix Bernard and Richard B. Smith
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"Winter Wonderland" is a song written in 1934 by Felix Bernard and lyricist Richard Bernhard Smith. Due to its seasonal theme, it is commonly regarded as a Christmas song in the Northern Hemisphere. Since its original recording by Richard Himber, it has been covered by over 200 different artists. Its lyrics are about a couple's romance during winter.[1]
| "Winter Wonderland" | |
|---|---|
1934 sheet music cover | |
| Song | |
| Published | 1934 by Bregman, Vocco and Conn |
| Genre | Christmas |
| Composer | Felix Bernard |
| Lyricist | Richard Bernhard Smith |
A later version of "Winter Wonderland" (which was printed in 1947) included a "new children's lyric" that transformed it "from a romantic winter interlude to a seasonal song about playing in the snow". The snowman mentioned in the song's bridge was changed from Parson Brown to a circus clown, and the promises the couple made in the final verse were replaced with lyrics about frolicking. Singers such as Johnny Mathis connected both versions, adding a verse and chorus.[2]
History
Smith, a native of Honesdale, Pennsylvania, was reportedly inspired to write the lyrics after seeing Honesdale's Central Park covered in snow. He wrote the lyrics while being treated for tuberculosis in the West Mountain Sanitarium in Scranton.[3]
The song was originally recorded in 1934 for RCA Victor. At the end of a different recording session by Himber and his Hotel Ritz-Carlton Orchestra, with extra time to spare, RCA Victor suggested arranging and recording "Winter Wonderland" using some additional members of its own orchestra, which included Artie Shaw and other established New York City studio musicians.
Guy Lombardo's version that same year would go on to be one of the biggest hits of 1934.[citation needed]
In 1946, Perry Como recorded the song on his album Perry Como Sings Merry Christmas Music. Also in 1946, The Andrews Sisters recorded the song with Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians.[citation needed]
In Johnny Mathis' version, heard on his 1958 LP Merry Christmas, the introduction is sung between the first and the second refrain.
In 1960, Ella Fitzgerald recorded a jazz arrangement of the song for her Verve release Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas.
In 1963, Phil Spector recorded an energetically-paced version of the song, employing his characteristic Wall of Sound production technique for the A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector album. Darlene Love performed lead vocals.
In 1968, Tony Bennett recorded the song for his album Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album.[4] In 2008, he recorded it again with the Count Basie Orchestra for the album A Swingin' Christmas,[5] while in 2014, he recorded it as a duet with Lady Gaga, released as a standalone promotional single.[6]
In 1971, Elvis Presley recorded the song on his album Elvis Sings The Wonderful World of Christmas.[7]
In 1976, Andy Griffith and Dennis Day performed the song in the animated Christmas special Frosty's Winter Wonderland, with Dennis Day also playing Parson Brown in the special.[citation needed]
In 1987, Eurythmics released a cover of the song on the charity and holiday-themed compilation album, A Very Special Christmas.
In 1999, Ringo Starr recorded the song on his album I Wanna Be Santa Claus.[citation needed]
Macy Gray recorded a cover of Winter Wonderland for the holiday compilation album A Very Ally Christmas, released in November 2000. The album was tied to the television series Ally McBeal and featured seasonal songs performed by cast members and guest artists.[citation needed]
In 2003, Ozzy Osbourne and Jessica Simpson recorded a duet version of the song for The Osbourne Family Christmas Special. Mike Rampton of Kerrang! called the cover "completely baffling."[8]
In 2009, Selena Gomez & The Scene covered the song for the “All Wrapped Up: Volume 2” EP.[9]
In 2023, Chlöe covered the song for Amazon Music as part of their Amazon Original Music series. The cover peaked at number 87 on the Billboard Hot 100,[10] making her version of the song the first to enter the chart.[11]
Also in 2023, Laufey covered the song for Spotify as part of their Spotify Singles Holiday series. The cover became the highest-charting version of the song in the Core Anglosphere countries, excluding the United States.[12]
In a November 2025 survey, 18 versions of "Winter Wonderland" were being played on Christmas music radio stations, the second-most of any song after "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."[13]
Sheet music
Awards and achievements
Guy Lombardo's version was the highest on the charts at the time of introduction. Johnny Mercer's version of the song placed at No. 4 on the Billboard airplay chart in 1946. The same season, a version by Perry Como hit the retail top ten; Como would re-record the song for his 1959 Christmas album.
In November 2007, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) listed "Winter Wonderland" as the most-played ASCAP-member-written holiday song of the previous five years, and the Eurythmics' 1987 version as the one most commonly played.[15]
In December 2023, Chlöe's version entered the Hot 100 and Laufey's version became the highest-charting version of the song in the Core Anglosphere countries, excluding the United States.[citation needed]
Charts
Tony Bennett version
| Chart (1968–2023) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[16] | 40 |
| Denmark (Tracklisten)[17] | 35 |
| Hungary (Stream Top 40)[18] | 34 |
| Ireland (IRMA)[19] | 69 |
| Italy (FIMI)[20] | 44 |
| Lithuania (AGATA)[21] | 98 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[22] | 55 |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[23] | 39 |
| Norway (VG-lista)[24] | 35 |
| Portugal (AFP)[25] | 68 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[26] | 42 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[27] | 64 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[28] | 94 |
| US Holiday 100 (Billboard)[29] | 87 |
Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga version
| Chart (2014) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Holiday Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[30] | 20 |
Bing Crosby version
| Chart (2017–2026) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[31] | 89 |
| Global 200 (Billboard)[32] | 125 |
| Hungary (Stream Top 40)[33] | 21 |
| Latvia (DigiTop100)[34] | 27 |
| US Holiday 100 (Billboard)[35] | 66 |
Michael Bublé version
| Chart (2017–2025) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[31] | 84 |
| Germany (GfK)[36] | 60 |
| Global 200 (Billboard)[37] | 142 |
| Netherlands (Single Tip)[38] | 5 |
| Portugal (AFP)[39] | 118 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[40] | 83 |
| US Holiday 100 (Billboard)[41] | 93 |
Darlene Love version
| Chart (2018–2026) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Global 200 (Billboard)[42] | 79 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[43] | 40 |
| US Holiday 100 (Billboard)[44] | 31 |
| US Rolling Stone Top 100[45] | 41 |
Chlöe version
| Chart (2023–2024) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100[10] | 87 |
| US Holiday 100 (Billboard)[46] | 57 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[47] | 19 |
Laufey version
| Chart (2023–2025) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[48] | 28 |
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[49] | 55 |
| France (SNEP)[50] | 106 |
| Global 200 (Billboard)[51] | 70 |
| Greece International (IFPI)[52] | 33 |
| Ireland (IRMA)[53] | 7 |
| Lithuania (AGATA)[54] | 22 |
| Luxembourg (Billboard)[55] | 24 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[56] | 47 |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[57] | 26 |
| Portugal (AFP)[39] | 78 |
| Singapore Regional (RIAS)[58] | 9 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[59] | 91 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[60] | 59 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[61] | 18 |
| UK Independent Singles (OCC)[62] | 3 |
| US Bubbling Under Hot 100 (Billboard)[63] | 2 |
| US Holiday 100 (Billboard)[64] | 72 |
Certifications
Tony Bennett
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[65] | Platinum | 90,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[66] | Gold | 400,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
Michael Bublé
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[67] | Gold | 15,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[68] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
Bing Crosby
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (BPI)[69] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
Darlene Love
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[70] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
Laufey
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (BPI)[71] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[72] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
