Songs of Christmas Past Part 5: The Christmas Song

The Christmas Song, also known as Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire, is one of the most popular classic Christmas tunes composed by Mel Tormé and Bob Wells in 1944. Written during a hot summer this song originally named Merry Christmas To You, was an attempt to stay cool by thinking about the cold weather of the holidays.

 The Nat King Cole Trio, with singer and pianist Nat King Cole, bassist Johnny Miller and guitarist Oscar Moore recorded The Christmas Song on June 14, 1946 at WMCA Radio Studios, New York City. On August 19th that same year, a second recording was made along with the first record issue. Cole went on to make two more recordings of The Christmas Song, and Mel Torme made several recordings of the piece as well.

Since its first recording in 1946, The Christmas Song became the most performed Christmas song according to BMI.

look inside

The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) (Piano/Vocal/Guitar). For Piano/Vocal/Guitar. Piano Vocal. Christmas and Standards. Difficulty: medium. Single. Vocal melody, piano accompaniment, lyrics, chord names and guitar chord diagrams. 2 pages. Published by Hal Leonard (HL.380381).

look inside

The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) By Mel Torme and Frank Sinatra. For piano, voice, and guitar (chords only). Christmas; Jazz; Standards. Piano/Vocal/Guitar. 3 pages. Published by Hal Leonard - Digital Sheet Music (HX.38459).

look inside

The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) By Mel Torme and Nat "King" Cole. For piano and voice. Christmas; Jazz; Love; Standards. PV. 6 pages. Published by Hal Leonard - Digital Sheet Music (HX.189580).