The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)

About

The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) appeared on the first disc of The Christmas Present and paid tribute to one of the most enduring holiday standards of the 20th century. Written in 1945 by Mel Tormé and Robert Wells, the song was made famous by Nat King Cole, whose 1961 recording became its definitive version. Williams approached it with reverence, delivering a restrained vocal over a lush orchestral arrangement by Guy Chambers and Richard Flack.

Tormé and Wells famously composed the piece during a sweltering July day in Los Angeles, hoping that thoughts of winter would cool them down. Its timeless imagery of “chestnuts roasting on an open fire” and “Jack Frost nipping at your nose” has made it one of the most frequently performed Christmas songs. Williams admitted he found it challenging to sing: “You hear these songs all your life and think you know them. I sang it through a few times and considered giving up on it, but I’m glad we didn’t.”

To guide his phrasing, he rehearsed alongside Cole’s recording, later completing the track solo. The result is a graceful, cinematic rendition that blends jazz phrasing with orchestral elegance. His smooth baritone sits within a string-rich arrangement and gentle piano, creating a nostalgic, late-night warmth.

“I had to have Nat King Cole give me the guide vocal underneath. When I heard him, I felt like giving up.”Robbie Williams

The performance underlined Williams’s lifelong connection to swing and traditional pop. Positioned at the midpoint of The Christmas Present, it offered a reflective pause between the album’s upbeat classics and its original compositions, affirming his respect for the great crooners of the past.