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“The Christmas Song” (commonly subtitled “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire” or, as it was originally subtitled, “Merry Christmas to You“) is a classic Christmas song written in 1945 by Robert Wells and Mel Tormé.
The contemporary Holiday classic was included as a late-1968 album entry covered by Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass’ for their ‘Christmas Album’, as it was titled. It was the group’s eleventh release. The LP edition of the album was issued twice. The song was listed as track four on the A-Side of the LP. It was also the B-side to their released Christmas single, “My Favorite Things“.
The single was released on December 7, 1968, according to Billboard. The Christmas Song peaked at #1 and stayed on top of the Christmas charts for 3 weeks.
Collaborating with Alpert in the production was his usual cadre of musicians: Nick Ceroli (drums/percussion), Bob Edmondson (trombone), Tonni Kalash (trumpet), Lou Pagani (keyboards), John Pisano (guitars/mandolin) and Pat Senatore (bass). Perennial sideman, Julius Wechter, appears on marimba and percussion. Alpert provides lead vocals on “The Christmas Song” and “The Bell That Couldn’t Jingle,” and there are also appearances by a studio choir and string instruments, arranged by Shorty Rogers.
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Sources: Wikipedia; Billboard’s Christmas in the Charts 1920-2004
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