In 1963, Lee Mendelson, Executive Producer of “A Charlie Brown Christmas, ” Had Just Finished Filming a Documentary on Schulz and His “Peanuts” Strip, and Knew He Needed to Add Music.

“I Had Always Been a Great Fan of Jazz, ” Mendelson Muses in His Book, “A Charlie Brown Christmas: the Making of a Tradition. ” “And While Driving Back from [Schulz’s] over the Golden Gate Bridge I Heard a Song Called, ‘Cast Your Fate to the Wind.'” Mendelson Said It Was Like Nothing He’d Ever Heard Before. “It Was Jazz, but It Was Melodic and Open and Came Like a Breeze off the Bay. ”

Mendelson Also Recalled That Schulz Wanted to Create a Scene Especially to Showcase Guaraldi’s “Linus and Lucy” Theme, Which Would Eventually Become the Famous Dance Segment in the Christmas Special.

As Production Was Wrapping up on the Film, Guaraldi Presented the Team a Beautiful Instrumental Song He Had Recorded with His Trio (Consisting of Bassist Fred Marshall and Drummer Jerry Granelli) to Open the Show With. but Mendelson Remembers That Everyone Felt the Song Needed Lyrics, So He Stepped In. “Because We Were Running out of Time, I Wrote Some Lyrics in About Fifteen Minutes on the Back of an Envelope, ” He Said. “The Song Became ‘Christmas Time Is Here, ’ Which Has Become a Holiday Standard Covered by Dozens of Recording Artists. Who Knew? ”

Because of These Unique Features and the Show’s Understated Tone, Cbs Executives Watched the 30-Minute Film and Immediately Assumed It Would Be a Flop.

Everyone, Including the Creators, Were Surprised When the Special Received a Record 36 Million Viewers When It Aired December 5, 1965, and Then Went on to Win an Emmy and a Peabody. Today, the Special Is Still Broadcast Every Year to Millions — and Many Believe the Music Was a Huge Part of the Show’s Popularity and Lasting Impact.

The Most Famous Music from "A Charlie Brown Christmas" Was Originally Written for a Different Project | American Masters

By James H. Sterling

• Oct 8, 2026 • 6 min read

The Most Famous Music from "A Charlie Brown Christmas" Was Originally Written for a Different Project | American Masters

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Snoopy in the Birdbath

James H. Sterling

Environmental Science & Climate Journalist

James Sterling reports on renewable energy developments, climate policy, ecological conservation, and green tech innovations around the globe.

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