Nat_king_cole_king_of_christmas -

Though he had recorded singles for years, Cole’s first full-length holiday album, titled , was released in 1960.

The "King of Christmas" title was further solidified in the 1990s and 2000s through clever archival work: nat_king_cole_king_of_christmas

: The Nat King Cole Trio first recorded it in 1946. However, Cole insisted on re-recording it with a full string section—a move that was considered a gamble for a jazz artist at the time. This 1946 "with strings" version became a massive hit and redefined the "holiday standard." Though he had recorded singles for years, Cole’s

: The record showcases Cole’s ability to pivot between reverent religious hymns like "Adeste Fideles" and "O Tannenbaum" (which he famously sang in German) and playful, secular tracks like "Deck the Hall." Why His Voice "Sounds" Like Christmas This 1946 "with strings" version became a massive

: Even in slow ballads, Cole maintained a jazz-inflected rhythmic "pocket" that prevented the songs from becoming overly sentimental or "mushy."

: The album has appeared on the Billboard charts nearly every year since its release. In the streaming era, it regularly returns to the Top 10 during December.

: "The Christmas Song" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1974 and was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress in 2022.