"Child of Winter (Christmas Song)" is a song by American rock band

the Beach Boys The Beach Boys are an American rock band that formed in Hawthorne, California, in 1961. The group's original lineup consisted of brothers Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. Distinguished by the ...

that was released as a standalone single on December 23, 1974. Written by

Brian Wilson Brian Douglas Wilson (born June 20, 1942) is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer who co-founded the Beach Boys. Often Brian Wilson is a genius, called a genius for his novel approaches to pop music, pop composition, ex ...

and

Stephen Kalinich Stephen John Kalinich ( ; born 1942) is an American poet mostly known for his songwriting collaborations with Brian and Dennis Wilson of the Beach Boys. In 1969, he recorded his only album, '' A World of Peace Must Come'', with production by Bri ...

, it was the only Beach Boys single issued between the albums ''

Holland Holland is a geographical regionG. Geerts & H. Heestermans, 1981, ''Groot Woordenboek der Nederlandse Taal. Deel I'', Van Dale Lexicografie, Utrecht, p 1105 and former Provinces of the Netherlands, province on the western coast of the Netherland ...

'' and ''

15 Big Ones ''15 Big Ones'' is the 20th studio album by the American rock band the Beach Boys, released July 5, 1976 on Brother/Reprise. It includes a mix of original songs and renditions of rock 'n' roll and R&B standards. The LP was the band's first albu ...

''. The B-side was "

Susie Cincinnati "Susie Cincinnati" is a song by the American rock band the Beach Boys that was recorded during the sessions for their 1970 album ''Sunflower''. It was written by Al Jardine about a female cab driver from Ohio. Background Al Jardine stated in a 20 ...

Background

In a 1997 interview, Kalinich said of the song,

Recording

An early version with

Dennis Wilson Dennis Carl Wilson (December 4, 1944 – December 28, 1983) was an American musician, singer, and songwriter who co-founded the Beach Boys. He is best remembered as their drummer and as the middle brother of bandmates Brian and Carl Wilson. ...

on lead vocals and

Carl Wilson Carl Dean Wilson (December 21, 1946 – February 6, 1998) was an American musician, singer, and songwriter who co-founded the Beach Boys. He was their lead guitar Lead guitar (also known as solo guitar) is a musical part for a guitar in ...

singing the bridge is reported to exist.

Release history

When released in other countries, the single featured the live version of " Good Vibrations" from ''

The Beach Boys In Concert ''The Beach Boys in Concert'' is the third live album by the American rock band the Beach Boys, released in November 1973. It was their first live album since '' Live in London'' (1970), as well as the only live album and the final album on whic ...

'' as a B-side. "Child of Winter (Christmas Song)" was included on the band's 1998 compilation ''

Ultimate Christmas ''Ultimate Christmas'' is a 1998 compilation of Christmas music by the Beach Boys released on Capitol Records. It rounds up all of the tracks from 1964's ''The Beach Boys' Christmas Album ''The Beach Boys' Christmas Album'' is the seventh ...

''.

Personnel

Per

. ;The Beach Boys * Mike Love – lead vocal *

– "

Grinch The Grinch is a fictional character created by Dr. Seuss. He is best known as the main character of the 1957 children's book '' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!'' He has been portrayed and voiced by many different actors, including Boris Karloff ...

voice", "everything else" *

– guitar *

– drums ;Additional personnel *

Carnie Wilson Carnie Wilson (born April 29, 1968) is an American singer and television personality. She is the daughter of Brian Wilson and in 1989 co-founded the pop music trio Wilson Phillips with her younger sister Wendy. From 1995 onwards, she has also be ...

–

sleigh bell A jingle bell or sleigh bell is a type of bell which produces a distinctive 'jingle' sound, especially in large numbers. They find use in many areas as a percussion instrument, including the classic sleigh bell sound and morris dancing. The ...

Wendy Wilson Wendy Wilson (born October 16, 1969) is an American singer and television personality who is a member of the pop trio Wilson Phillips. She co-founded Wilson Phillips with her older sister, Carnie, and childhood friend Chynna Phillips when they ...

– sleigh bell *

–

kazoo The kazoo is an American musical instrument that adds a "buzzing" timbral quality to a player's voice when the player vocalizes into it. It is a type of '' mirliton'' (which itself is a membranophone), one of a class of instruments which modifie ...

References

1974 singles The Beach Boys songs Songs written by Brian Wilson Song recordings produced by Brian Wilson American Christmas songs Songs written by Stephen Kalinich Reprise Records singles 1974 songs Songs about children {{1970s-single-stub