J.C. Lodge secures her first YouTube Jamaica Chart entry with “The Christmas Song” cover, debuting at No. 15 with 132,000 streams.
“I’d always loved The Christmas Song by Nat King Cole,” Lodge told the Jamaican Observer. “I thought the melody was beautiful, but never related much to the lyrics about chestnuts, reindeers and Eskimos. I decided to adapt it to make it more relatable for Jamaican folks and others in the Caribbean.”
The reggae rendition of The Christmas Song is from Mafia & Fluxy Present A Reggae Christmas, a 15-track set released in 2012. It now holds the record of being the the oldest song to debut on the YouTube Jamaica top 10 chart—12 years after its original release.
“The Christmas Song,” also known by its subtitle “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire,” is one of the most beloved Christmas songs ever written. Created in 1945 during a scorching summer by Robert Wells and Mel Tormé, the song was intended to evoke cool, wintry imagery. According to Tormé, it was composed in just 40 minutes as a way to “stay cool by thinking cool.” The lyrics began as lines jotted on a pad, with imagery like “Chestnuts roasting…” and “Jack Frost nipping…” that later transformed into the iconic melody and words.
The song’s journey to fame began with Nat King Cole and his trio. Their first recording in June 1946 was followed by a second version later that August, which included a string section. This version became a significant hit on both the pop and R&B charts. In 1953, Cole recorded the song with a full orchestra, arranged by Nelson Riddle. The most celebrated rendition, however, came in 1961, when Cole recorded the song in stereo with a full orchestral arrangement by Ralph Carmichael. This version is considered definitive and remains a staple during the Christmas season. The original 1946 recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1974, and in 2022, the 1961 version was added to the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry for its cultural and historical significance.
The song also achieved remarkable longevity on the charts and it was only in 2023, that it entered the Billboard Hot 100’s top 10 for the first time, setting records for the longest journey to the top 10 and the longest span between chart appearances for an artist—62 years after its original release. Over the years, “The Christmas Song” has been covered by countless artists, including Bing Crosby, Perry Como, Christina Aguilera, and Michael Bublé, each bringing their unique interpretations to the classic.
Beyond its timeless appeal, the song has also earned certifications around the globe, including Platinum in Denmark and the United Kingdom. Its resonance endures as a quintessential holiday classic, symbolizing the warmth, nostalgia, and joy of the Christmas season.
Lodge, emerged on the music scene in 1982 when her hit “Someone Loves You Honey” took the world by storm. The track reached no. 1 in the Netherlands and she said the only reason it didn’t do well in the U.K.
Back on YouTube Jamaica Chart, Jah Vinci’s “Scream”reclaims the #1 spot with 322,761 streams, marking its second non-consecutive week at the summit despite a drop of 92,410 streams. Close behind is Masicka’s “Whites,” which climbs to #2 with 292,278 streams, a modest increase of 7,028 streams in its seventh week on the chart. Skippa’s “Mozart” makes the biggest upward move this week, jumping to #3 with 214,892 streams, gaining a solid 44,587 streams from the previous week.
ASCE AA Spade’s “Tuff Up Mi Ting” rises to #4 with 202,922 streams, boosted by an increase of 12,960 streams in its third week. Areakode’s “Rey Rico” holds strong at #5, accumulating 188,398 streams, slightly up by 4,477 streams in its eighth week on the chart. Debuting at #6 is Peaches Adaba’s “Sidem,” which pulls in 186,702 streams in its first week, signaling a promising start for the new entry. Rod Wave’s “25” continues its steady climb, moving up to #7 with 166,185 streams, an increase of 6,516 streams in its tenth week. CeCe Winans’ “Come Jesus Come” holds at #8, amassing 164,568 streams despite a decline of 16,054 streams as it completes its tenth week.
1BYNG’s “Alone” slips to #9 with 157,349 streams, losing 34,130 streams in only its second week. Teejay’s collaboration with Masicka, “Never Complain,” maintains its position in the top ten at #10 with 154,717 streams, though it saw a dip of 9,080 streams in its eighth week. Masicka’s “Trophies” experiences a notable drop to #11, securing 154,571 streams, a decrease of 64,267 streams in just its second week. Jamal’s “Ballandor” enjoys renewed interest, climbing to #12 with 153,224 streams, an impressive gain of 13,821 streams in its fifteenth week.
Ai Milly’s “Belize” remains steady at #13 with 152,112 streams, adding 3,171 streams this week. Kraff Gad’s “IKATION” sits at #14, earning 144,827 streams, a minor dip of 871 streams in its fourteenth week on the chart. Another new entry, Valiant’s “Down,” lands at #16 with 131,212 streams, a strong debut for the track.
Squash’s “Get Up” slides to #17 with 129,447 streams, losing 19,668 streams in its tenth week. Nhance’s “Unstress” faces a significant drop, falling to #18 with 128,703 streams, a sharp decrease of 568,642 streams in its second week after peaking at #1. Kranium’s “Higher Life” climbs to #19 with 124,594 streams, adding 3,523 streams in its nineteenth week. Mariah Carey’s perennial holiday classic, “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” re-enters the chart at #20 with 118,147 streams, proving its enduring popularity as Christmas approaches.
