For those unaware, Lee Mendelson Film Productions (LMFP) is thrilled to announce the release – for the first time ever – of the complete Vince Guaraldi soundtrack for Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown, the timeless 13th animated Peanuts® special, from writer and creator Charles Schulz, director Phil Roman and producers Bill Melendez and Lee Mendelson.

Originally airing on January 28th, 1975 on CBS-TV, it went on to be nominated for an Emmy® for Outstanding Children’s program. The special is currently available for streaming on Apple TV+.

All versions of the album include the original 24 cues that comprise the score of the special – mixed into 22 tracks – most available for the first time – plus another eight bonus or alternative tracks never heard before. This 42-minute soundtrack is the longest individual soundtrack released by LMFP to date.

Guaraldi brought original mid-tempo tunes, his classic favorites, and even a mambo to the score for a journey into love with the Peanuts gang. He utilized a new invention called the ARP String Ensemble synthesizer throughout the special to give the score a distinctive string-laced sound.

1. Heartburn Waltz
2. Heartburn Waltz (Reprise)
3. Linus and Lucy
4. Valentine Interlude #1 / Heartburn Waltz (2nd Reprise)
5. Piano Sonata No. 20 in G Major, Op. 49 No. 2 - 1. Allegro ma non troppo
6. Heartburn Waltz (3rd Reprise)
7. Linus and Lucy (Reprise)
8. Paw Pet Overture
9. Freddie’s Mood (Chopin’s Nocturne in E Flat Major, Op. 9 No. 2)
10. Heartburn Waltz (4th Reprise)
11. Never Again
12. Music Box Dance (Bach’s Minuet in G Major, BWV Anh. 116)
13. Woodstock’s Mambo
14. Heartburn Waltz (5th Reprise)
15. Jennie L.
16. Heartburn Waltz (6th Reprise)
17. Valentine Interlude #2 / Heartburn Waltz (7th Reprise)
18. There’s Been a Change
19. Woodstock’s Revenge
20. Charlie Brown’s Wake-Up
21. Heartburn Waltz (8th Reprise)
22. Freddie’s Mood [Show Version]

This simply magical flashback to an era more welcomed than our current one, opens on the shimmering Heartburn Waltz and the longer reprise, before we are brought forth the iconic Linus and Lucy theme tune, the elegant classical work Valentine Interlude #1 / Heartburn Waltz (2nd Reprise), the sparkling Piano Sonata No. 20 in G Major, Op. 49 No. 2 - 1. Allegro ma non troppo, a third reprise of Heartburn Waltz, a shirt reprise of Linus and Lucy (Reprise), and they are backed by the jaunty Paw Pet Overture (which was also used in 2002’s V For Vendetta), the elegance of Freddie’s Mood (Chopin’s Nocturne in E Flat Major, Op. 9 No. 2), a fourth reprise of Heartburn Waltz and the jazzified Never Again.

Along next is the beautiful Music Box Dance (Bach’s Minuet in G Major, BWV Anh. 116), the short, but sweet Woodstock’s Mambo, and they are in turn followed by the fifth reprise of Heartburn Waltz, the languishing Jennie L., a sixth reprise of Heartburn Waltz, a glistening, albeit short Valentine Interlude #2 / Heartburn Waltz (7th Reprise), the simply darling There’s Been a Change, the spirited banger Woodstock’s Revenge, the translucent Charlie Brown’s Wake-Up, the original selection closing on an eight reprise of Heartburn Waltz and the sophisticated piano piece Freddie’s Mood [Show Version].

Bonus Tracks:
23. Heartburn Waltz [Bonus Mix]
24. Jennie L. [Alternate Take]
25. Heartburn Waltz [Alternate Take]
26. Woodstock’s Mambo [Bonus Mix]
27. Heartburn Waltz (Reprise) [Bonus Mix]
28. There’s Been a Change [Alternate Take]
29. Heartburn Waltz (5th Reprise) [Bonus Mix]
30. Last Call for Love

The recording features Guaraldi (piano, electric piano, clavinet, ARP String Ensemble electric harpsichord and guitar), Seward McCain (bass), Vince Lateano (drums) and John Scott Trotter as the music supervisor. The soundtrack was produced by Sean Mendelson and Jason Mendelson; mixed at Bones and Knives by Terry Carleton and restored and re-mastered by Vinson Hudson.

The physical copies will include liner notes that give a track-by-track analysis by Derrick Bang and notes from Sean Mendelson and Jason Mendelson, sons of Peanuts producer Lee Mendelson and producers of the record. The LP liner notes are four pages, the CD liner notes are eight pages, and all versions contain images from the special, rare photographs and images from the original tape boxes recently re-discovered that led to this release.

The album will be available January 17th, 2025, including an exclusive variant on Heartburn Red vinyl (12” BioVinyl) as a Record Store Day Indie Exclusive, that will be available at participating stores. Pre-Order here. It will also be available on Puppy Love Pink vinyl (12” BioVinyl) from Barnes and Noble.

The 42-minute album will also be available on black vinyl (12” BioVinyl), CD, and digitally.

www.mendelsonproductions.com