First recorded by The Boston Pops Orchestra (1949).
Hit instrumental version by Leroy Anderson & His “Pops” Concert Orchestra (1950| re-recorded 1959).
Popular vocal versions by Johnny Desmond (1950), Johnny Mathis (1958), The Ronettes (1963), The Carpenters (1978).
From the wiki: “Leroy Anderson had the original idea for the piece during a heat wave in July 1946; he finished the work in February 1948. The orchestral version was first recorded in 1949 by Arthur Fiedler and The Boston Pops Orchestra. Composer Anderson would record an instrumental version of his own song in 1950. He re-recorded the song in stereo in 1959, a version that has since gone on to become the classic instrumental production.
“Lyrics, about a person who would like to ride in a sleigh on a winter’s day with their love, were written by Mitchell Parish in 1950. Johnny Desmond, with the Ray Charles Singers, first recorded the vocal version in 1950. Other popular vocal recordings have been released by Johnny Mathis (1958), The Ronettes (1963), and The Carpenters (1978). ”
Leroy Anderson (composer) & His “Pop” Concert Orchestra, “Sleigh Ride” (1950):
Johnny Desmond & The Ray Charles Singers, “Sleigh Ride” (1950):
Johnny Mathis, “Sleigh Ride” (1958):
Leroy Anderson, “Sleigh Ride” stereo re-recording (1959):
The Ronettes, “Sleigh Ride” (1963):
The Carpenters, “Sleigh Ride” (1978):