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This is my favorite Christmas song.
"The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas to You)" is a classic Christmas song written by Mel Tormé and Bob Wells in 1944 and was first recorded by The King Cole Trio in 1946. The song was recorded again in stereophonic version with a full orchestra conducted by Ralph Carmichael using the same arrangement for Nat King Cole's The Christmas Song album in 1961.
The Christmas Song
"The Christmas Song" (commonly subtitled "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire" or, as it was originally subtitled, "Merry Christmas to You" ) is a classic Christmas song written in 1945 by Bob Wells and Mel Tormé.
According to Tormé, the song was written during a blistering hot summer. In an effort to "stay cool by thinking cool", the most-performed (according to BMI) Christmas song was born. "I saw a spiral pad on his (Wells') piano with four lines written in pencil", Tormé recalled. "They started, 'Chestnuts roasting..., Jack Frost nipping..., Yuletide carols..., Folks dressed up like Eskimos.' Bob didn't think he was writing a song lyric. He said he thought if he could immerse himself in winter he could cool off. Forty minutes later that song was written. I wrote all the music and some of the lyrics."
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 later the same year utilizing a small string section, this version becoming a massive hit on both the pop and R&B charts. Cole again recorded the song in 1953, using the same arrangement with a full orchestra arranged and conducted by Nelson Riddle, and once more in 1961, in a stereophonic version with orchestra conducted by Ralph Carmichael. Cole's 1961 version is generally regarded as definitive, and in 2004 was the most-loved seasonal song with women aged 30–49, while the original 1946 recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1974.
"The Christmas Song" (commonly subtitled "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire" or, as it was originally subtitled, "Merry Christmas to You" ) is a classic Christmas song written in 1945 by Bob Wells and Mel Tormé.
According to Tormé, the song was written during a blistering hot summer. In an effort to "stay cool by thinking cool", the most-performed (according to BMI) Christmas song was born. "I saw a spiral pad on his (Wells') piano with four lines written in pencil", Tormé recalled. "They started, 'Chestnuts roasting..., Jack Frost nipping..., Yuletide carols..., Folks dressed up like Eskimos.' Bob didn't think he was writing a song lyric. He said he thought if he could immerse himself in winter he could cool off. Forty minutes later that song was written. I wrote all the music and some of the lyrics."
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 later the same year utilizing a small string section, this version becoming a massive hit on both the pop and R&B charts. Cole again recorded the song in 1953, using the same arrangement with a full orchestra arranged and conducted by Nelson Riddle, and once more in 1961, in a stereophonic version with orchestra conducted by Ralph Carmichael. Cole's 1961 version is generally regarded as definitive, and in 2004 was the most-loved seasonal song with women aged 30–49, while the original 1946 recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1974.
Nat King Cole was signed with Capitol Records. The song was recorded at their legendary studios, located in the Capitol Records building. If a bad recording ever came out of those studios, I haven't heard it.
Capitol Records
Capitol Studios
Established in 1956, Capitol Studios are located in the landmark Capitol Records Tower in the heart of Hollywood, California. The legendary recording studios, which consist of Studios A, B, C and D, started as the primary recording studios for American record label Capitol Records. While they are still regularly used by Capitol recording artists, during the late 1960s to early-1970s the studios began making the facility available to artists outside the label. Capitol Studios are renowned for their impressive selection of vintage gear, microphones and state-of-the-art recording equipment, as well as their eight subterranean echo chambers. The studios are owned by Vivendi, the parent company of Universal Music Group (UMG), which in turn is the parent company of Capitol Music Group. For over 60 years, Capitol Studios has hosted some of the most celebrated artists, from Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and Dean Martin to Barbra Streisand, Paul McCartney and the Beach Boys. Along with traditional recording sessions, the studios have been the location for numerous iTunes, Sirius/XM sessions, CMG Productions such as: Top of the Tower concerts and 1 Mic 1 Take Series. The Studios have also hosted music video shoots (Justin Timberlake's "Suit & Tie" ), TV/Documentaries (Behind the Music, Classic Albums, PBS Specials, Showtime Original Lost Songs: The Basement Tapes Continued and HBO feature If You're Not In The Obit, Eat Breakfast as well as feature shoots (Ray, Sandy Wexler). The studio has hosted "The Oscars" for the past two decades for the orchestra pre-records and hosts dozens of branded experiential and playback events each year.
Established in 1956, Capitol Studios are located in the landmark Capitol Records Tower in the heart of Hollywood, California. The legendary recording studios, which consist of Studios A, B, C and D, started as the primary recording studios for American record label Capitol Records. While they are still regularly used by Capitol recording artists, during the late 1960s to early-1970s the studios began making the facility available to artists outside the label. Capitol Studios are renowned for their impressive selection of vintage gear, microphones and state-of-the-art recording equipment, as well as their eight subterranean echo chambers. The studios are owned by Vivendi, the parent company of Universal Music Group (UMG), which in turn is the parent company of Capitol Music Group. For over 60 years, Capitol Studios has hosted some of the most celebrated artists, from Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and Dean Martin to Barbra Streisand, Paul McCartney and the Beach Boys. Along with traditional recording sessions, the studios have been the location for numerous iTunes, Sirius/XM sessions, CMG Productions such as: Top of the Tower concerts and 1 Mic 1 Take Series. The Studios have also hosted music video shoots (Justin Timberlake's "Suit & Tie" ), TV/Documentaries (Behind the Music, Classic Albums, PBS Specials, Showtime Original Lost Songs: The Basement Tapes Continued and HBO feature If You're Not In The Obit, Eat Breakfast as well as feature shoots (Ray, Sandy Wexler). The studio has hosted "The Oscars" for the past two decades for the orchestra pre-records and hosts dozens of branded experiential and playback events each year.
I'm about to leave work. Computer access over the weekend will be sporadic.
Please enjoy the holiday of your choice.
Ars longa, trump brevis.