Music: Merry Christmas (The Christmas Song)

Chant de Christmas classique, The Christmas Song a été écrit par un duo formé de Mel Tormé, chanteur et acteur américain, et Robert Wells, auteur-compositeur. Selon les dires de Tormé, la chanson a été composée au cours de l’été 1944, alors que sévissait la canicule.

Tormé said the duo began composing the song after seeing a spiral notebook on his piano with four lines written in pencil. Bob Wells, however, admitted that at the time, he didn't think he was writing a song. He only thought he would cool off by immersing himself in winter. It took the duo only forty minutes to write The Christmas Song, which, according to Broadcast Music Incorporated (BMI), remains the most frequently performed song of all time.

Nat King Cole was the first to record the song in 1946, but it wasn't released until 1989 on the Billboard Greatest Hits album. He wasn't content with just that version, though. That same year, a second recording was made with a string ensemble, and this version was the first to be released on record. It was also a huge hit in both pop and rhythm and blues music. In 1953, using the same arrangements, Cole recorded a third version, this time with an orchestra. Then, in 1961, Nat King Cole released a final, fourth version, and it's this one that's still played on the airwaves during the Christmas season.

As for Mel Tormé, co-author of the song, he also recorded his own version in 1954. Two other recordings followed, in 1965 and 1992.

The Christmas Song has been parodied several times, including in an episode of The Simpsons titled "Deadly Christmas." On his album "Green Chri$tma$," Stan Freberg mocked some chestnut commercials from the 1950s by using several segments of the song.

The French adaptation of the song is known as Joyeux Noël, and has been performed by several artists: Céline Dion, Ginette Reno, Bruno Pelletier, Fernand Gignac, Johanne Blouin, Marie-Chantal Toupin, and Marie-Élaine Thibert. It has also been performed on the organ by Lucien Hétu.

The English version has been performed by Christina Aguilera, Tony Braxton, The Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye, Amy Grant, Andrea Bocelli, Andy Williams, Anne Murray and Barbara Streisand, to name a few.

Video Clip

Andrea Bocelli in duet

The Christmas Song

In English… Christmas slideshow

In French, on a slideshow of Christmas images

Lyrics in French version

The fire dances in the fireplace
Outside we are shivering with cold
Christmas night, scented fir trees
Everywhere you bring joy

And on New Year's Eve, for lovers under the mistletoe
Kissing will be allowed
Children, their hearts vibrating with hope,
We're having trouble falling asleep tonight.

THE Santa Claus s’est mis en route
On his sleigh
Loaded with joy and gifts
And the little ones watch for him and they listen
The crazy round of reindeer in the sky

And for you, I make this simple wish
That we exchange since the child god
Young and old, be all very happy.
Merry Merry Christmas!

And for you, I make this simple wish
That we exchange since the child god
Young and old, be all very happy.

Merry Merry Christmas
Merry Merry Christmas

English version lyrics

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire,
Jack Frost nipping on your nose,
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir,
And folks dressed up like Eskimos.

Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe,
Help to make the season bright.
Tiny tots with their eyes all glowing,
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 going to spy,
To see if reindeer really knows how to fly.

And so I'm offering this simple phrase,
To children from one to ninety-two,
Although its been said many times, many ways,
A very Merry Christmas to you