"Our Winter Love" is an instrumental composition by Johnny Cowell, which was a hit single for Bill Pursell. Pursell's version was recorded in 1962,"Reviews of New Singles", Billboard, December 1, 1962. p. 26. Accessed July 31, 2016. and was released as a single in January 1963.
Bill Pursell version While the Bill Pursell version is largely an instrumental, primarily piano with strings, some riffs are vocalized by a chorus of female and male singers. While it wasn't intended to be a Christmas song, some easy listening and adult contemporary radio stations have the Bill Pursell version on their Christmas music playlists.
Chart performance "Our Winter Love" spent 14 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1963, peaking at No. 9 on March 30,Hot 100 - Bill Pursell Our Winter Love Chart History, Billboard.com. Retrieved March 15, 2018. while reaching No. 4 on Billboards Middle-Road Singles chart,Adult Contemporary - Bill Pursell Our Winter Love Chart History, Billboard.com. Retrieved March 15, 2018."Middle-Road Singles", Billboard, March 30, 1963. p. 40. Accessed July 31, 2016. No. 20 on Billboards Hot R&B Singles chart,Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs - Bill Pursell Our Winter Love Chart History, Billboard.com. Retrieved March 15, 2018."Hot R&B Singles", Billboard, April 13, 1963. p. 24. Retrieved March 15, 2018. No. 12 in Australia,"Billboard Hits of the World", Billboard, June 8, 1963. p. 31. Accessed July 31, 2016. and No. 25 on Canada's CHUM Hit Parade. Bill Pursell's version was ranked No. 54 on Billboards end of year ranking "Top Records of 1963"."Top Records of 1963", Billboard, Section II, December 28, 1963. p. 30. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
Chart (1963)PeakpositionUS Billboard Hot 100 9US Billboard Middle-Road Singles 4US Billboard Hot R&B Singles 20Australia - Music Maker 12Canada - CHUM Hit Parade 25
The Lettermen version In 1966, The Lettermen released a version, with lyrics written by Bob Tubert.Wood, Herb. "Nashville Scene", Billboard, December 24, 1966. p. 43. Accessed August 1, 2016. This vocal version spent 4 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1967, peaking at No. 72,Hot 100 - The Lettermen Our Winter Love Chart History, Billboard.com. Retrieved March 15, 2018. while reaching No. 16 on Billboards Easy Listening chart,Adult Contemporary - The Lettermen Our Winter Love Chart History, Billboard.com. Retrieved March 15, 2018."Billboard Top 40 Easy Listening", Billboard, February 18, 1967. p. 16. Accessed August 1, 2016. No. 12 on Record Worlds "Top Non-Rock" chart,"Record World's Top Non-Rock", Record World, February 18, 1967. p. 32. Retrieved March 15, 2018. and No. 91 on Canada's "RPM 100"."RPM 100", RPM Weekly, Volume 6, No. 25, February 18, 1967. Accessed August 1, 2016.
Chart (1967)PeakpositionUS Billboard Hot 100 72US Billboard Easy Listening 16US Record World Top Non-Rock 12Canada - RPM 100 91
Other versions In 1963, a version by Lawrence Welk and His Orchestra, was released as the lead track on his album 1963's Early Hits."Dot: The Nation's Best Selling Records", Billboard, September 28, 1963. p. 23. Accessed August 1, 2016.
References