Happy Halloween!
Vince Guaraldi - The Great Pumpkin Waltz (A Halloween Special Tuesday!)
As the Halloween season comes to a close and commercial radio starts slowly incorporating Christmas music into their repertoires, I have to take a moment to talk about “The Great Pumpkin Waltz”. This is a song that not only defines Halloween, but defines the entirety of fall for me. It’s a universally beloved song, one that brings joy to the hearts of many.
I think the heart of “The Great Pumpkin Waltz”, like many other jazz pieces, resides within the drums. The subtle snare brush creates a perennially vintage sound for the piece, as if it’s always being played on a slightly crackly vinyl. The beat gives you something to sway to, while the rest of the music makes you close your eyes and feel.
“The Great Pumpkin Waltz” has a melancholy feel behind a bright exterior, and I believe that’s what makes it a perfect autumn song. One of the most beautiful parts of autumn is the falling leaves. However, if you really think about it, the leaves are only falling because they’ve died. They only turned the gorgeous shades of red, yellow, and orange because they’ve died! (I’m not trying to be morbid, just stating facts.) However, despite the leaves being dead, everyone still appreciates them. In fact, they may love them even more in this state than ever! This optimism in the darkness is the precise reason why I love this song so much. It’s a song you can think to, a song you can dance to, a song you can love or mourn or smile or cry to! “The Great Pumpkin Waltz” is a tune that feels like a hug, one that feels like it’ll always be there for you, and that is a truly beautiful thing.
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