The Christmas Song

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"The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)" is the name of a classic Christmas song, written in 1944 by Mel Tormé and Bob Wells. Mel Torme would eventually record his own version in 1965.

The Nat King Cole Trio first recorded the song, early in 1946; at Cole's behest (and over the objections of his label, Capitol Records), a second recording was made the same year utilizing a small string section, and this version became a massive hit on both the pop and R&B charts. Cole re-recorded the song in 1953 and again in 1961, using the same arrangement with a full orchestra; the latter recording is regarded by many as definitive and still gets heavy radio airplay each Christmas season.

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[edit] Recording Details

First recording: Recorded at WMCA Radio Studios, New York City, June 14, 1946. Not issued until 1989 on the album "Billboard Greatest Christmas Hits (1935-1954)" Rhino R1 70637(LP) / R2 70637(CD). The King Cole Trio: Nat King Cole, vocal-pianist; Oscar Moore, guitarist; Johnny Miller, bassist.

Second recording: Recorded at WMCA Radio Studios, New York City, August 19, 1946. First record issue. Label credit: The King Cole Trio with String Choir (Nat King Cole, vocal-pianist, Oscar Moore, guitarist; Johnny Miller, bassist; Charlie Grean, conductor of 4 string players, a harpist and a drummer) Lacquer disc master #981. Issued November 1946 as Capitol 311(78rpm). This is featured on a CD called "The Holiday Album" which has 1940's Christmas songs recorded by Nat King Cole and Bing Crosby.

Third recording: Recorded at Capitol Studios, Hollywood, August 24, 1953. This was the song's first magnetic tape recording. Label credit: The King Cole Trio with String Choir (Actual artists: Nat King Cole, vocal-pianist, Nelson Riddle, orchestra conductor) Master #11726, take 11. Issued November 1953 as the "new" Capitol 90036(78rpm) / F90036(45rpm) (Capitol first issued 90036 in 1950 with the second recording). Correct label credit issued on October 18, 1954 as Capitol 2955(78rpm) / F2955(45rpm). Label credit: Nat "King" Cole with Orchestra Conducted by Nelson Riddle.

Fourth recording: 1961. This version has been widely played on radio stations to this day, and is thought by many people to be the most famous version of this song. This was the song's first stereo recording. Label credit: Nat King Cole (Nat King Cole, vocal-pianist; Charles Grean & Pete Rugolo, orchestration). Issued October 1963 as the new title track of the previous titled album "The Magic of Christmas". "The Christmas Song" LP was re-issued as Capitol W-1967(mono) / SW-1967(stereo) and today is in print on compact disc. This version is also available on half a dozen compilation albums. Some are Capitol pop standards Christmas compilations while others are broader based. Its available on WCBS-FM Ultimate Christmas Album Volume 3, for example.

[edit] Lyrics

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose
 Yuletide carols being sung by a choir, and folks dressed up like Eskimos
 Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe (will) help to make the season bright
 Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow will find it hard to sleep tonight

They know that Santa's on his way, He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
 And every mother's child is gonna spy to see if reindeer really know how to fly
 And so I'm offering this simple phrase, to kids from one to ninety-two
 Although it's been said, many times, many ways: "Merry Christmas to you."

[edit] Covers

The song has been covered by numerous artists since, including the following:

[edit] Trivia

Christina Aguilera's cover of the song, produced by Thunderpuss 2000 and Ron Fair, was released as a Christmas single and later included on her album My Kind of Christmas. It was released on November 23, 1999 and peaked at number eighteen on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, becoming the first singer other than Nat King Cole to have a top 40 hit with this song.

Nat King Cole's cover of the song was used extensively in the Wong Kar-wai movie 2046 starring Tony Leung Chiu-Wai among a cast of Asia's finest actors.

It is a very common practice to repeat "Merry Christmas" three times near the end of the song.

The song is commonly subtitled with its first line (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire). However, Nat King Cole's renditions are always subtitled with the final line (Merry Christmas to You).

Guitarist Oscar Moore, a member of the King Cole Trio, played part of the chorus to "Jingle Bells" at the end of the song. Cole liked the guitar melody so much that he used it in his newer recordings. Interestingly enough, the Stevie Wonder version features a guitar playing "Jingle Bells" at the end, an obvious nod to Cole.

When the Ray Conniff Singers performed it for their 1959 album Christmas With Conniff, they began with the following opening:

What is the spirit of Christmas? It is the celebration of the birth of the Christ Child. This we must never forget! No, this we must never forget! But there are other little things, too. Yes, there are other little things too...

[edit] External link

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