The Nat King Cole Trio first recorded the song early in 1946. At Cole’s behest – and over the objections of his label, Capitol Records– a second recording was made later the same year utilizing a small string section, this version becoming a massive hit on both the pop and R&B charts.
Cole again recorded the song in 1953, using the same arrangement with a full orchestra arranged and conducted by Nelson Riddle, and once more in 1961, in a stereophonic version with orchestra conducted by Ralph Carmichael. Cole’s 1961 version is generally regarded as definitive.
Nat ‘King’ Cole- The Christmas Song (Live Performance)
