“The Christmas Tune” (generally subtitled “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Hearth” or, because it was initially subtitled, “Merry Christmas to You”) is a traditional Christmas tune written in 1945 by Bob Wells and Mel Tormé.
In response to Tormé, the tune was written throughout a blistering sizzling summer time. In an effort to “keep cool by pondering cool”, the most-performed (based on BMI) Christmas tune was born.”I noticed a spiral pad on his (Wells’) piano with 4 strains written in pencil”, Tormé recalled. “They began, ‘Chestnuts roasting…, Jack Frost nipping…, Yuletide carols…, Of us dressed up like Eskimos.’ Bob didn’t suppose he was writing a tune lyric. He mentioned he thought if he might immerse himself in winter he might cool off. Forty minutes later that tune was written. I wrote all of the music and a few of the lyrics.”
The Nat King Cole Trio first recorded the tune early in 1946. At Cole’s behest – and over the objections of his label, Capitol Information – a second recording was made later the identical yr using a small string part, this model turning into a large hit on each the pop and R&B charts. Cole once more recorded the tune in 1953, utilizing the identical association with a full orchestra organized and carried out by Nelson Riddle, and as soon as extra in 1961, in a stereophonic model with orchestra carried out by Ralph Carmichael. Cole’s 1961 model is usually considered definitive, and in 2004 was the most-loved seasonal tune with girls aged 30–49, whereas the unique 1946 recording was inducted into the Grammy Corridor of Fame in 1974. Supply
