The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

On the eighth day of the Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, Monday, December 21, 2015, the song of the day is “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.”

About This Song

“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” was written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane for the 1944 movie Meet Me In St. Louis, where it was introduced by Judy Garland.
In a Twitter conversation in November 2012, Tony Bennett said that “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” is his favorite Christmas song. I’d have to say it’s mine as well.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” for his 2008 album A Swingin’ Christmas.

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (feat. Count Basie Big Band)

Listen to Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (feat. Count Basie Big Band) on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Count Basie Big Band · 2008


“Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” as well as A Swingin’ Christmas, is available from iTunes.

Here’s Judy Garland singing this lovely song, from Meet Me In St. Louis

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Song of the Day: The Snowfall Christmas Medley

On the seventh day of the Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, Sunday, December 20, 2015, the song of the day is “The Snowfall Christmas Medley.”

About These Songs

The medley consists of these songs: “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” (traditional 16th century English carol); “Silent Night” (music by Franz Xavier Gruber, lyrics Joseph Mohr. 1818); “O Come All Ye Faithful” (traditional 13th century song); “Jingle Bells” (James Lord Pierpont, 1857) and “Where Is Love” (Lionel Bart, 1968).

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this beautiful medley of Christmas songs in 1968 for his album Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album, which was arranged and conducted by Robert Farnon.

Medley: We Wish You A Merry Christmas / Silent Night / O Come All You Faithful / Jingle Bells / Where Is Love?

Listen to Medley: We Wish You A Merry Christmas / Silent Night / O Come All You Faithful / Jingle Bells / Where Is Love? on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1968


“The Snowfall Christmas Medley,” as well as Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Winter Wonderland

On the sixth day of the Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, Saturday, December 19, 2015, the song of the day is “Winter Wonderland.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Winter Wonderland,” was written in 1934 by Felix Barnard and Richard Smith. Smith, the lyricist, wrote this song after a snowfall covered his home town of Honesdale, Pennsylvania. It is, of course, a beloved holiday song, even though the lyrics do not explicitly mention Christmas.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded today’s version of “Winter Wonderland” for his 2008 album A Swingin’ Christmas, which features The Count Basie Big Band. It was arranged by Bill Holman.

Winter Wonderland (feat. Count Basie Big Band)

Listen to Winter Wonderland (feat. Count Basie Big Band) on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Count Basie Big Band · 2008


“Winter Wonderland,” as well as A Swingin’ Christmas, is available from iTunes.

About Today

For our video today, we feature Tony and Lady Gaga singing today’s song at last year’s Christmas At Rockefeller Center.

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Song of the Day: Christmasland

On the fifth day of the Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, Friday, December 18, 2015, the song of the day is “Christmasland.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Christmasland,” was composed by Robert Farnon, with lyrics by his brother Brian Farnon.

About This Version

Today’s song, “Christmasland,” was recorded in 1968 for Snowfall — The Tony Bennett Christmas Album. The recording was arranged and conducted by the composer, Robert Farnon.

Christmasland

Tony Bennett · Snowfall - The Tony Bennett Christmas Album · Song · 1968


“Christmasland,” as well as Snowfall–The Tony Bennett Christmas Album, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: White Christmas

On the fourth day of the Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, Thursday, December 17, 2015, the song of the day is “White Christmas.”

About This Song

Written by Irving Berlin in 1940, “White Christmas” is one of America’s most beloved Christmas songs. In the not-often heard verse of the song, we hear that “the sun is shining, the grass is green, the orange and palm trees sway, there’s never been such a day in Beverly Hills, L.A. But it’s December the 24 …” And indeed, Irving Berlin was in Los Angeles when he wrote “White Christmas,” expressing that longing for a traditional back-home Christmas. Bing Crosby recorded the song in 1942 and completely dominated the music charts for weeks. Crosby’s single of “White Christmas” is the biggest-selling single record of all time, worldwide, at over 100-million copies.

About This Version

Tony Bennett has recorded “White Christmas” several times; for today, I chose his 1987 recording for his tribute album to Irving Berlin, Bennett/Berlin. This recording features Dexter Gordon on tenor saxophone and the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Paul Langosch on bass and Joe LaBarbera on drums.

White Christmas - 1987 Version

Listen to White Christmas - 1987 Version on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Dexter Gordon · 1987


“White Christmas,” as well as Bennett/Berlin, is available from iTunes.

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