Nat King Cole, the Man Who Popularized "The Christmas Song"

Although singer, songwriter, pianist and drummer Mel Torme and Robert Wells composed this song, it’s popularity stems from Nat “King” Cole. In fact, Cole told Torme in early 1946 that he loved the song and wanted to record it with strings as he felt that this was the only way to record and perform this song. Unfortunately Capitol Records, for whom Cole recorded, thought otherwise and let Cole sing and perform the song with his trio and no strings. The results were so awful that this was never released. Later that year, Capitol Records decided to let Cole have his way, enlisting Charlie Green to conduct the orchestra as Cole’s first choice, Russell Case, was recording for RCA Victor. The result was a successful record that Capitol kept issuing for 7 years when another version, this time with Nelson Riddle conducting a much larger body of strings. Again this was a big hit with listeners. When the subject came up again in 1960, arranger Ralph Carmichael was chosen to do a new chart that included Nat “King” Cole’s trio mates very prominently. Not only that but we hear Nat “King” Cole at the piano as well along with Oscar Moore’s trademark guitar bells at the end. This made up a lovely, friendly album of chiefly Christmas Carols which has always meant Christmas to everyone who hears it.