A JOLLY CHRISTMAS FROM FRANK SINATRA — Track #2: “The Christmas Song” (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)

“Chestnuts roasting on an open fire…”

Frank’s birthday was December 12th. There are 12 tracks on A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra—his first Christmas album, released by Capitol Records in 1957. We’ll bring them your way in order, between now and December 24.

“The Christmas Song” (commonly subtitled “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire” or, as it was originally subtitled, “Merry Christmas to You”) was originally written in 1945 by Bob Wells and Mel Tormé—ironically on a hot summer’s day.

According to Tormé, the song was written in an effort to “stay cool by thinking cool.” It was a brief respite, as the whole song was written a mere forty minutes later.

Nat King Cole first recorded the song early in 1946, and again in 1953 with full orchestra under the direction of Nelson Riddle.

Frank Sinatra took it for a spin as track #2 on his Christmas album.

Here’s “Jack Frost nipping at your nose”, with a little Jack Daniel’s nipping at your liver…