Today In Black History
Nat King Cole's "The Christmas Song": Black History Facts You Should Know!
Issue #439 Black History Friday, December 15, 2023
Welcome to this Today in Black History post. Black History IS American History, no matter how hard some people try to erase our history and contributions.
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Today’s Black WOW!
There is a plethora of Christmas and Holiday songs playing during the season, but I only really like two songs: “Santa Baby” recorded by Eartha Kitt (1953), and “The Christmas Song” recorded by Nat “King” Cole (1946). Both of these songs stay in rotation on my playlist, even during the hot summer months!
"The Christmas Song" is a timeless classic that has become synonymous with the holiday season. Written by the legendary musician Mel Torme and recorded by the incomparable Nat King Cole, the journey behind its creation and promotion unveils a darker side of history, including the racism and struggles that Nat King Cole had to face.
In the summer of 1945, Mel Torme teamed up with his writing partner Bob Wells, and penned the lyrics to what would soon become "The Christmas Song." Mel Torme and Nat King Cole were friends and had worked together on various occasions, which made Cole the natural choice for this Christmas song.
When the time came to record the song in 1946, many recording studios were hesitant to produce a Christmas song. They deemed it a risky venture, as holiday-themed songs often had limited sales potential. But Cole's label, Capitol Records, took a leap of faith and allowed him to record "The Christmas Song."
The song was initially released as a single in the summer of 1946, hoping to gain traction before the holiday season. The lack of promotion and airplay hindered the success that Torme and Cole had anticipated.
One possible explanation for the song's initial struggle was the pervasive racism that plagued the music industry at the time. Being an African-American artist, Nat King Cole faced immense challenges in getting his music played on mainstream radio stations. Many stations refused to give airtime to Black artists, regardless of their talent or the potential success of their songs.
But Nat King Cole and his team persevered and continued to promote "The Christmas Song" through concerts, live performances, and on smaller radio stations that were more open to showcasing diverse talent. As the years went by, "The Christmas Song" gained popularity and became a staple during the holiday season. It was re-recorded and performed by countless artists, but it was Nat King Cole's original rendition that truly stood the test of time.
It is important to acknowledge the struggles and obstacles that Nat King Cole faced as a Black artist during a time of deep racial discrimination. His journey in promoting "The Christmas Song" was a testament to his talent, perseverance, and the indomitable spirit of Black artists in the face of adversity.
Today In Black History
- In 1864, two brigades of Black troops helped to crush the Confederate Army of Tennessee in one of the most decisive actions of the Civil War at the Battle of Nashville.
- In 1961, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was arrested and jailed in Albany, Georgia for protesting for civil rights.
- In 1984, the “Sonning Prize” for musical excellence was awarded to trumpeter Miles Davis in Copenhagen, Denmark.
- In 2016, white supremacist Dylan Roof was found guilty of murdering nine worshippers at Mother Emmanuel AME Church in the Charleston Church Massacre.
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