Timeline Albums, EPs & singles Songs Films Concerts Sessions People Interviews Articles

Released in 2012

The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)

Written by Mel Torme • Bob Wells

Last updated on December 10, 2020

Album This song officially appears on the Holidays Rule Official album.

Timeline This song was officially released in 2012

Master album

Related sessions

This song was recorded during the following studio sessions:

Related song

Related interview

“The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)” is a classic Christmas song written in 1945 by Bob Wells and Mel Tormé. It has been recorded many times over the years (by Nat King Cole, Mel Tormé, Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra…). Paul McCartney recorded it during the sessions for his 2012 album “Kisses On The Bottom“.

It was released in October 2012, on the Christmas album “Holidays Rule“. A different version – with extra strings – was released on “Kisses On The Bottom – Complete Kisses“.

To be noted that Paul McCartney, being a long-time vegetarian, changed the original lyrics from “some turkey and some mistletoe” into “some holly and some mistletoe“.

Lyrics

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire

Jack Frost nipping at your nose

Yuletide carols being sung by a choir

And folks dressed up like Eskimos

Everybody knows some holly and some mistletoe

Will help to make the season bright

Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow

Will find it hard to sleep tonight

They know that Santa's on his way

He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh

And every mother's child is gonna spy

To see if reindeer really know how to fly

And so I'm offering this simple phrase

To kids from one to ninety-two

Although it's been said many times

Many ways, Merry Christmas to you

And so I'm offering this simple phrase

To kids from one to ninety-two

Although it's been said many times

Many ways, Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to you

Officially appears on

Bootlegs

Related film

Videos

Album Christmas Kisses (Red Edition)

Album Kisses On The Bottom - Complete Kisses

Live performances

Paul McCartney has never played this song in concert.

Going further

Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 2) 1990-2012

This new book by Luca Perasi traces Paul McCartney's post-Beatles output from 1990 to 2012 in the form of 250 song entries, filled with details about the recordings, stories behind the sessions and musical analysis. His pop albums, his forays into classical and avant-garde music, his penchant for covering old standards: a complete book to discover how these languages cross-pollinate and influence each other.

The second volume in a series that has established itself as a unique guide to take the reader on a journey into the astonishing creativity of Paul McCartney.

Read our exclusive interview with Luca Perasi

Buy on Amazon

Paul McCartney writing

Talk more talk, chat more chat

Notice any inaccuracies on this page? Have additional insights or ideas for new content? Or just want to share your thoughts? We value your feedback! Please use the form below to get in touch with us.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

2024 • Please note this site is strictly non-commercial. All pictures, videos & quoted texts remain the property of the respective copyright owner, and no implication of ownership by us is intended or should be inferred. Any copyright owner who wants something removed should contact us and we will do so immediately. Alternatively, we would be delighted to provide credits.