Last night I was with friends and Walking in the air was playing their Christmas mix and my friend said this is a song which makes you feel as though it is Christmas and I couldn't agree more. The song, which was first released in 1982, still never fails to create spine tingles for me and I would go as far to say that it can bring tears (happy) to my eyes. Where would Christmas be without the wonderful book and film of The Snowman? And for those who like a bit of irony when it comes to The Snowman, there is the brilliant IRN-BRU advert.Raymond Briggs' The Snowman was published in 1978 by Hamish Hamilton and is a picture book depicting the story of a snowman who comes to life on the stroke of midnight and, after trying to understand the human world of appliances, take the boy on a magical journey across the UK to the lights of aurora to meet his other snowman friends. The ending of the story is bitter sweet as the snowman once the boy is returned home melts away. The film premiered on 26th December 1982; and was an instant success.
Howard Blake wrote Walking in the air for their journey to the North Pole and on the original soundtrack, it was Peter Auty the iconic theme. If you asked most people they would immediately associate Aled Jones with the song, but Aled did not record the song until 1985 and was only brought in as Peter's voice had broken. Since the song was first released; it has been covered by 40 different artist.
To hear Aled Jones's version listen/view here:
Walking in the air sung by Aled Jones
The original to see a clip of the Snowman
Walking in the air by Peter Auty
To enjoy the IRN-BRU advert and give yourself an extra smile:
Walking in the air with my IRN-BRU
Written by Howard Blake
Album: The Snowman, 1982
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