Toni Braxton - The Christmas Song

Toni Braxton has an excellent cover of “The Christmas Song”, the 1945 holiday classic made famous by Nat King Cole. It was released in 2001 from her Christmas album “Snowflakes” and was also part of the soundtrack to the 2007 Christmas film "This Christmas" which starred Chris Brown, Idris Elba, Regina King, and Loretta Devine.

The beautiful piano ballad feels so intimate, almost as if you're sitting in your living room hearing Toni singing right in front of you! I love this version because it sounds so simple and timeless, much like the Nat King Cole version from way back in 1946. It features Toni’s famous husky contralto and concludes with a stunning high note that lasts several seconds at the end.

Her 2001 Christmas album came and went with very little attention but I still hear this version every year during the holidays. Sometimes covers become the standard and this song almost takes the cake but unfortunately, it still pales in comparison to the version made famous by the legendary Nat King Cole. That’s ok! I still prefer this version anyway and listen to it constantly when Christmas gets closer. I would love for Toni to release another Christmas album featuring her ageless voice on piano ballads such as this.