Born in Hoboken, New Jersey, to Italian immigrants, Sinatra began his musical career in the swing era with bandleaders Harry James and Tommy Dorsey. Sinatra found success as a solo artist after he signed with Columbia Records in 1943, becoming the idol of the "bobby soxers". He released his debut album, The Voice of Frank Sinatra, in 1946. Sinatra's professional career had stalled by the early 1950s, and he turned to Las Vegas, where he became one of its best known residency performers as part of The Rat Pack. His career was reborn in 1953 with the success of From Here to Eternity, with his performance subsequently winning an Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor. Sinatra released several critically lauded albums, including In the Wee Small Hours (1955), Songs for Swingin' Lovers! (1956), Come Fly with Me (1958), Only the Lonely (1958) and Nice 'n' Easy (1960).
Sinatra left Capitol in 1960 to start his own record label, Reprise Records, and released a string of successful albums. In 1965, he recorded the retrospective September of My Years, starred in the Emmy-winning television special Frank Sinatra: A Man and His Music, and released the tracks "Strangers in the Night" and "My Way". After releasing Sinatra at the Sands, recorded at the Sands Hotel and Casino in Vegas with frequent collaborator Count Basie in early 1966, the following year he recorded one of his most famous collaborations with Tom Jobim, the album Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim. It was followed by 1968's collaboration with Duke Ellington. Sinatra retired for the first time in 1971, but came out of retirement two years later and recorded several albums and resumed performing at Caesars Palace, and reached success in 1980 with "New York, New York". Using his Las Vegas shows as a home base, he toured both within the United States and internationally until a short time before his death in 1998.
Sinatra forged a highly successful career as a film actor. After winning an Academy Award for From Here to Eternity, he starred in The Man with the Golden Arm (1955), and received critical acclaim for his performance in The Manchurian Candidate (1962). He appeared in various musicals such as On the Town (1949), Guys and Dolls (1955), High Society (1956), and Pal Joey (1957), winning another Golden Globe for the latter. Toward the end of his career, he became associated with playing detectives, including the title character in Tony Rome (1967). Sinatra would later receive the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award in 1971. On television, The Frank Sinatra Show began on ABC in 1950, and he continued to make appearances on television throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Sinatra was also heavily involved with politics from the mid-1940s, and actively campaigned for presidents such as Harry S. Truman, John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan, though before Kennedy's death Sinatra's alleged Mafia connections led to his being snubbed.
While Sinatra never formally learned how to read music, he had an impressive understanding of it, and he worked very hard from a young age to improve his abilities in all aspects of music. A perfectionist, renowned for his dress sense and performing presence, he always insisted on recording live with his band. His bright blue eyes earned him the popular nickname "Ol' Blue Eyes". Sinatra led a colorful personal life, and was often involved in turbulent affairs with women, such as with his second wife Ava Gardner. He went on to marry Mia Farrow in 1966 and Barbara Marx in 1976. Sinatra had several violent confrontations, usually with journalists he felt had crossed him, or work bosses with whom he had disagreements. He was honored at the Kennedy Center Honors in 1983, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Ronald Reagan in 1985, and the Congressional Gold Medal in 1997. Sinatra was also the recipient of eleven Grammy Awards, including the Grammy Trustees Award, Grammy Legend Award and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. After his death, American music critic Robert Christgau called him "the greatest singer of the 20th century", and he continues to be seen as an iconic figure.
Sinatra died with his wife at his side at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on May 14, 1998, aged 82, after a heart attack. Sinatra had ill health during the last few years of his life, and was frequently hospitalized for heart and breathing problems, high blood pressure, pneumonia and bladder cancer. He was further diagnosed as having dementia. He had made no public appearances following a heart attack in February 1997. Sinatra's wife encouraged him to "fight" while attempts were made to stabilize him, and his final words were, "I'm losing." Sinatra's daughter, Tina, later wrote that she and her sister, Nancy, had not been notified of their father's final hospitalization, and it was her belief that "the omission was deliberate. Barbara would be the grieving widow alone at her husband's side." The night after Sinatra's death, the lights on the Empire State Building in New York City were turned blue, the lights at the Las Vegas Strip were dimmed in his honor, and the casinos stopped spinning for a minute.
Sinatra's funeral was held at the Roman Catholic Church of the Good Shepherd in Beverly Hills, California, on May 20, 1998, with 400 mourners in attendance and thousands of fans outside. Gregory Peck, Tony Bennett, and Sinatra's son, Frank Jr., addressed the mourners, who included many notable people from film and entertainment. Sinatra was buried in a blue business suit with mementos from family members—cherry-flavored Life Savers, Tootsie Rolls, a bottle of Jack Daniel's, a pack of Camel cigarettes, a Zippo lighter, stuffed toys, a dog biscuit, and a roll of dimes that he always carried—next to his parents in section B-8 of Desert Memorial Park in Cathedral City, California.
His close friends Jilly Rizzo and Jimmy Van Heusen are buried nearby. The words "The Best Is Yet to Come", plus "Beloved Husband & Father" are imprinted on Sinatra's grave marker. Significant increases in recording sales worldwide were reported by Billboard in the month of his death.
The Christmas Song
Frank Sinatra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Yule-tide 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 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 to you
"The Christmas Song" is undoubtedly one of the most popular Christmas carols that was written in 1945 by Bob Wells and Mel Tormé. Frank Sinatra's rendition of the song is particularly famous, and it is easy to understand why. The opening lines of the song immediately transport listeners to a cozy winter night beside the hearth with friends and family. The notion of roasting chestnuts on an open fire and the wintry chills of Jack Frost serve to create a perfect Christmas image, bringing forth snippets of our own childhood memories of Christmas.
Sinatra's voice is soothing and captivating as he sings about tiny tots with their eyes all aglow and folks dressed up like Eskimos. These exceptionally descriptive lyrics paint an almost magical picture of the holiday spirit. The song expresses the anticipation of Santa's arrival, promising a load of toys and goodies on his sleigh for every child. Additionally, it instills a sense of wonder in kids, wondering if reindeer can truly fly. Sinatra's voice conveys optimism and enthusiasm as he sings the simple phrase, 'Merry Christmas to you,' conveying a sense of happiness and joy.
Line by Line Meaning
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
The warmth of the fire fills our hearts with joy as we gather together during Christmas.
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Cold winter mornings awaken us from our sleep with the chill in the air.
Yule-tide carols being sung by a choir
The melodious carols bring about an atmosphere of festivity and togetherness during Christmas.
And folks dressed up like Eskimos
We bundle up in cozy winter wear, making memories with family and friends during the holiday season.
Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
Traditional holiday symbols and decorations add to the excitement of the season, as we share meals and gather around the mistletoe.
Help to make the season bright
The joy we share with each other and the spirit of Christmas illuminates and brightens up the entire season.
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
The pure, innocent excitement in the eyes of children during Christmas is a beautiful sight to behold.
Will find it hard to sleep tonight
The anticipation and excitement of what Santa might bring, makes it difficult for the children to sleep on Christmas Eve.
They know that Santa's on his way
The belief that Santa exists and will bring gifts for the children, fills their hearts with a sense of magic and wonder.
He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
The toys and treats on Santa's sleigh are a symbol of the joy and generosity of the holiday season.
And every mother's child is gonna spy
All the children are eagerly looking forward to catching a glimpse of Santa Claus during his visit.
To see if reindeer really know how to fly
The wonder and curiosity in the minds of children during Christmas is a beautiful thing, as they imagine how reindeer can fly through the sky.
And so I'm offering this simple phrase
In the spirit of Christmas, I offer this simple yet heartfelt message of joy and good wishes for everyone to enjoy.
To kids from one to ninety-two
This message of joy and hope is for people of all ages, from the youngest to the oldest.
Although it's been said many times, many ways
The sentiment behind this message of Christmas cheer is timeless, and has been said in many different ways over the years.
Merry Christmas to you
This classic holiday greeting is a symbol of the love, warmth and togetherness that we share with each other during the season of joy.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Mel Torme, Robert Wells
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@loewesandberg5033
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 a turkey and some mistletoe
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 bringing lots of toys
And goodies in 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 song
To kids from one to ninety-two
Although it's been said
Many times, many ways
Merry Christmas to you!
Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
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 on his way)
He's bringing lots of toys
And goodies in 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 song
To kids from one to ninety-two
Although it's been said
Many times, many ways
Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas to you!
To you, to you and you, and you and you
Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas to you
@oldiesmusic8
Time passes and continues to pass. maybe at some point we will leave this world, but this music, good music will never go out of style. Great singers, great performers... simply incomparable 💖
@aldonapolitano5979
This 70 year old kid still loves this! Merry Christmas evèyone!
@blakeblack9892
Merry Christmas Aldon! God bless
@joed960
Merry Christmas god belss you!
@user-wt3yg8dr1t
Меrry Christmas
@marcoriyadawad6732
Merry Christmas 🙌💙
@muayboran6111
Here we are again. Have a good December everyone
@balloonman1560
This is a classic! - Rest In Peace Frank 🕊
@user-me1qy7zs8k
Merry christmas everyone, Blessings🙏✨❣️
@danbaranowski
No one can sing Christmas songs like Ol’ Blue Eyes 💙🎄