This image is a cover of an audio recording, and the copyright for it is most likely owned by either the publisher of the work or the artist(s) which produced the recording or cover artwork in question. It is believed that the use of low-resolution images of such covers qualifies as fair use.
- Album This song officially appears on the Holidays Rule Official album.
Song facts
“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“.
Last updated on December 10, 2020
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
Official album • Released in 2012
3:55 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Vocals
- Tommy LiPuma :
- Producer
- Diana Krall :
- Piano, Rhythm arrangement
- Karriem Riggins :
- Drums
- Robert Hurst :
- Bass
- John Pizzarelli :
- Guitar
- Al Schmitt :
- Mixing engineer, Recording engineer
- Brian Montgomery :
- Additional engineering
- Tim Marchiafava :
- Assistant engineer
- Chandler Harrold :
- Assistant engineer
- Session Recording:
- May 2011 ?
- Studio :
- Avatar Studios, New York, USA
- Session Recording:
- Early September 2012 ?
- Studio :
- Avatar Studios, New York, USA
Kisses On The Bottom - Complete Kisses
Official album • Released in 2012
3:35 • Studio version • B • Version with strings
- Paul McCartney :
- Vocals
- Tommy LiPuma :
- Producer
The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)
CD Single • Released in 2012
3:35 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Vocals
- Tommy LiPuma :
- Producer
- Diana Krall :
- Piano, Rhythm arrangement
- Karriem Riggins :
- Drums
- Robert Hurst :
- Bass
- John Pizzarelli :
- Guitar
- Al Schmitt :
- Mixing engineer, Recording engineer
- Brian Montgomery :
- Additional engineering
- Tim Marchiafava :
- Assistant engineer
- Chandler Harrold :
- Assistant engineer
- Session Recording:
- May 2011 ?
- Studio :
- Avatar Studios, New York, USA
- Session Recording:
- Early September 2012 ?
- Studio :
- Avatar Studios, New York, USA
Christmas Kisses (Red Edition)
7" Single • Released in 2012
3:35 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Vocals
- Tommy LiPuma :
- Producer
- Diana Krall :
- Piano, Rhythm arrangement
- Karriem Riggins :
- Drums
- Robert Hurst :
- Bass
- John Pizzarelli :
- Guitar
- Al Schmitt :
- Mixing engineer, Recording engineer
- Brian Montgomery :
- Additional engineering
- Tim Marchiafava :
- Assistant engineer
- Chandler Harrold :
- Assistant engineer
- Session Recording:
- May 2011 ?
- Studio :
- Avatar Studios, New York, USA
- Session Recording:
- Early September 2012 ?
- Studio :
- Avatar Studios, New York, USA
Christmas Kisses (Green Edition)
7" Single • Released in 2012
3:35 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Vocals
- Tommy LiPuma :
- Producer
- Diana Krall :
- Piano, Rhythm arrangement
- Karriem Riggins :
- Drums
- Robert Hurst :
- Bass
- John Pizzarelli :
- Guitar
- Al Schmitt :
- Mixing engineer, Recording engineer
- Brian Montgomery :
- Additional engineering
- Tim Marchiafava :
- Assistant engineer
- Chandler Harrold :
- Assistant engineer
- Session Recording:
- May 2011 ?
- Studio :
- Avatar Studios, New York, USA
- Session Recording:
- Early September 2012 ?
- Studio :
- Avatar Studios, New York, USA
EP • Released in 2020
3:35 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Vocals
- Tommy LiPuma :
- Producer
- Diana Krall :
- Piano, Rhythm arrangement
- Karriem Riggins :
- Drums
- Robert Hurst :
- Bass
- John Pizzarelli :
- Guitar
- Al Schmitt :
- Mixing engineer, Recording engineer
- Brian Montgomery :
- Additional engineering
- Tim Marchiafava :
- Assistant engineer
- Chandler Harrold :
- Assistant engineer
- Session Recording:
- May 2011 ?
- Studio :
- Avatar Studios, New York, USA
- Session Recording:
- Early September 2012 ?
- Studio :
- Avatar Studios, New York, USA
Holidays Rule (Clear & Red/Green Splatter 2 LPs)
LP • Released in 2022
3:55 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Vocals
- Tommy LiPuma :
- Producer
- Diana Krall :
- Piano, Rhythm arrangement
- Karriem Riggins :
- Drums
- Robert Hurst :
- Bass
- John Pizzarelli :
- Guitar
- Al Schmitt :
- Mixing engineer, Recording engineer
- Brian Montgomery :
- Additional engineering
- Tim Marchiafava :
- Assistant engineer
- Chandler Harrold :
- Assistant engineer
- Session Recording:
- May 2011 ?
- Studio :
- Avatar Studios, New York, USA
- Session Recording:
- Early September 2012 ?
- Studio :
- Avatar Studios, New York, USA
7" Single • Released in 2022
3:35 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Vocals
- Tommy LiPuma :
- Producer
- Diana Krall :
- Piano, Rhythm arrangement
- Karriem Riggins :
- Drums
- Robert Hurst :
- Bass
- John Pizzarelli :
- Guitar
- Al Schmitt :
- Mixing engineer, Recording engineer
- Brian Montgomery :
- Additional engineering
- Tim Marchiafava :
- Assistant engineer
- Chandler Harrold :
- Assistant engineer
- Session Recording:
- May 2011 ?
- Studio :
- Avatar Studios, New York, USA
- Session Recording:
- Early September 2012 ?
- Studio :
- Avatar Studios, New York, USA
Bootlegs
Kisses on the bottom - Ultimate Archive Collection
Unofficial album • Released in 2015
3:34 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Vocals
- Tommy LiPuma :
- Producer
- Diana Krall :
- Piano, Rhythm arrangement
- Karriem Riggins :
- Drums
- Robert Hurst :
- Bass
- John Pizzarelli :
- Guitar
- Al Schmitt :
- Mixing engineer, Recording engineer
- Brian Montgomery :
- Additional engineering
- Tim Marchiafava :
- Assistant engineer
- Chandler Harrold :
- Assistant engineer
- Session Recording:
- May 2011 ?
- Studio :
- Avatar Studios, New York, USA
- Session Recording:
- Early September 2012 ?
- Studio :
- Avatar Studios, New York, USA
Kisses on the bottom - Ultimate Archive Collection
Unofficial album • Released in 2015
3:35 • Studio version • B
- Paul McCartney :
- Vocals
- Tommy LiPuma :
- Producer
Latest concerts where The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) has been played
Paul McCartney has never played this song in concert.