"Child of Winter (Christmas Song)" is a song by American rock band the Beach Boys that was released as a standalone single on December 23, 1974. Written by Brian Wilson and Stephen Kalinich, it was the only Beach Boys single issued between the albums Holland and 15 Big Ones. The B-side was "Susie Cincinnati".

Background

In a 1997 interview, Kalinich said of the song, "Brian and I decided we wanted to do a children's song and we somehow combined "Here Comes Santa Claus" with Gene Autry; I came up with this lyric about a child of winter and Brian put music to it, and then we went in to Brother Studio and recorded it. ... We just wanted to do a Christmas album. I remember I wanted to release this, but the Beach Boys didn't think there were enough harmonies, and they kind of sabotaged a major release."

Recording

An early version with Dennis Wilson on lead vocals and Carl Wilson 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 as a B-side. "Child of Winter (Christmas Song)" was included on the band's 1998 compilation Ultimate Christmas.

Personnel

Per Stephen Kalinich.