How Michael Bublé Became The King of Christmas Crooners

The King...
And let’s be clear, this is no small title. To take on the mantle of Christmas music royalty is no easy feat, especially when you’re following in the footsteps of legendary singers who have long been associated with the season of joy, glitter, and endless servings of eggnog.

Before Michael Bublé slid into our holiday playlists and into our hearts with his festive charm, there was a long line of crooners whose voices had already become as synonymous with Christmas as mistletoe and the smell of pine trees.

It all started with Bing Crosby. When Bing released his iconic 'White Christmas' in 1942, he probably didn’t know that he was setting the bar for all future Christmas crooners. The song “White Christmas,” with its wistful yearning for a perfect snowy holiday, became the most-recorded song of all time. And let’s not forget his 1945 album 'Merry Christmas', which continues to be a staple of Christmas playlists. If you heard a version of "Silent Night" that made you want to hug everyone in sight and sip on cocoa, Bing was behind it. Bing wasn’t just the king of Christmas, he was the Christmas king, with a voice that was smoother than melted butter on a hot biscuit.

Fast forward a few decades, and we arrive at the suave and debonair Frank Sinatra, whose Christmas albums were nothing short of legendary. 'A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra' (1957) remains one of the most enduring holiday albums ever. Frank was the kind of guy who could get away with singing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and make it sound like the ultimate casual, cool experience. Whether you were sipping eggnog at a holiday gathering or wrapping presents on a cold winter night, Frank’s voice was there, making it feel like you were part of the Rat Pack.

And then, of course, there was the velvet-smooth voice of Nat King Cole, whose rendition of “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)” is a Christmas standard. Nat’s 'The Magic of Christmas' album (1960) practically exuded warmth. Listening to his voice felt like being enveloped in a cozy blanket by the fireplace. Even when you were just about to give up on holiday shopping, Nat’s soulful delivery of “The Christmas Song” would make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, like everything was right in the world.

Now, after decades of holiday perfection from these legends, along comes Michael Bublé in the early 2000s. His 2011 album 'Christmas' was like a love letter to the Christmas music of his idols, with a dash of modern flair. But let’s not kid ourselves — Michael wasn’t just throwing on a few jazzy interpretations of “Jingle Bells” for fun. He was setting himself up to become the modern Christmas voice. A handsome, smooth-voiced Canadian who could make “Santa Baby” sound classy, and who had just enough charisma to make you want to toss a glass of mulled wine his way. Bublé's seasonal swagger was immediate. With his signature velvet voice, Bublé released a timeless classic that had everyone instantly adopting his version of "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" as the definitive one.

In fact, 'Christmas' was so successful, it became a holiday tradition for millions. What was Bublé’s secret sauce? It’s his ability to embody the past while offering a fresh take for today’s audience. Where Frank Sinatra had cool sophistication, and Bing Crosby was the epitome of smooth, Michael Bublé brought in a healthy dose of modern playfulness with that classic crooner style. He mixed in a touch of “I’m-your-best-friend” warmth, making it seem like you were having Christmas dinner with him, while he serenaded you between bites of turkey.

And, let’s not forget his versions of Christmas classics like “White Christmas” and “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” that were so irresistible, they practically transformed holiday music from a seasonal soundtrack into an event. It wasn’t just an album release; it was a holiday institution. When Bublé’s 'Christmas' album dropped, he took on the mantle of Christmas crooner with such poise, it was as if he had been preparing for this role all his life.

So, why is Bublé the King of Christmas Crooners for his generation? Well, let’s start with his voice. A deep, soothing timbre that just feels like the holidays. It’s the kind of voice that makes you think of cozy moments with loved ones, mulled wine by the fire, and the quiet joy of unwrapping presents. There’s an undeniable warmth in his delivery, one that resonates with listeners no matter their age.

Bublé also knows exactly what people want from their holiday music. There’s a certain magic about how he can take a well-known song like “Last Christmas” and make it feel both familiar and exciting, as if you’re hearing it for the first time. His rendition of “Feliz Navidad,” for example, is so cheerful that you almost forget it's a holiday song that’s been around since the ’70s.