“Chestnuts roasting on an open fire…”
Some songs become “fade-aways.” We call them one-hit wonders. Others become classics. Along with White Christmas, The Christmas Song may be the most recognizable song of the holidays. Have you ever heard the story behind it and how it broke down barriers?
Mel Torme was a jazz singer who earned the reputation as “the only white man who sings with the soul of a black man.” (Ethel Waters). Mel was an incredible musician and showman, but also a songwriter. (My parents used to listen to him and other “lounge” singers so I have heard his voice/music). Strangely, if he had not taken a trip across LA on a smoldering hot July day, the song he is most remembered for may have never been.
Nat “King” Cole was a silky smooth baritone who voice fit him like a glove (I also remember my parents listening to him). He earned the name “King” because of his voice and stage presence. He is known for “Unforgettable,” a song his daughter, Natalie, turned into a posthumous duet. He may have never been known for “Chestnuts” if it had not been for a visit from his friend, Mel Torme. After hearing the song in his house on a hot July day, he laid claim to it, made changes to fit his voice, and the rest is, as they say, history.
Mel wrote the song based on the musings of a friend, Robert Wells, one blistering hot summer day. He was trying to keep cool by writing down positive things: “chestnuts roasting…Jack Frost nipping…yuletide carols…folks dressed up like Eskimos.”
One writer + one set of good lyrics + one silky smooth singer = a hit which outlives both writer and singer. The “King” succumbed to cancer in his 40s. Torme lived into his 70s. The moment for which they are known lives on. Another fact: Cole’s cut of that song became the first American Christmas standard introduced by an African American. Its success opened the door for others to put their spin on holiday classics. Here is Nat King Cole’s version.
Here is the version I’m listening to.
So ends your music history lesson for today. 🙂 Enjoy! Some material came from the book pictured.
I love the Christmas Song.
🙂
That song fits the definition of “classic”. My only introduction to Mel was his regular cameo appearances on the show Night Court in the 80s.
The book mentioned his appearances on Night Court.
Thanks for this info, Bill. I love knowing how and why songs originated. I love this “classic,” too!
Blessings!
“Go tell it on the mountain” is a much older and much more African American Christmas song. It was hijacked in the 60’s with a slight change to make it a civil rights song. Didn’t know Torme wrote Chestnuts.
This is the song you need to hear…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Dec9Jb_Ac4
I want a hippopotamus for Christmas!
Interesting background on The Christmas Song that I didn’t know. This book sounds like such an interesting resource! I have a couple of books like that about hymns but nothing about Christmas songs. Hope you’re having a blessed week and have been able to get on your bike. 🙂
I love hearing the stories behind songs. I had so much fun writing a Christmas program for our Sunday School department one year. It was skits that shared the stories behind many common carols. Thanks for the info, Bill!
I much prefer all of the old classic Christmas carols… so lovely! The new pop songs make me shudder, haha… – http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com