The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

On the sixth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, the song of the day for is “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”

About This Song

“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” was written by Hugh Martin for the 1944 film Meet Me In St. Louis, where it was sung by Judy Garland to Margaret O’Brien. In a Twitter conversation in November 2012, Tony Bennett said that “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” is his favorite Christmas song. It’s mine too.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” in 2004 for his 2008 album A Swingin’ Christmas. Mr. Bennett is accompanied by his quartet, featuring Lee Musiker on piano, Gray Sargent on guitar, Paul Langosch on bass, and Harold Jones on drums. It’s a wonderful arrangement.

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Listen to Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2008.

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

Here’s the lovely scene from Meet Me In St. Louis

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas | Meet Me In St. Louis | Warner Archive

Meet Me In St. Louis (1944) #WarnerArchive #WarnerBros #MeetMeInStLouisDivided into a series of seasonal vignettes, starting with Summer 1903, it relates the...

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm

On the first day of a Tony Bennett Christmas, December 14, 2020, the song of the day is “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm.”

About This Song

“I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm” was written by Irving Berlin for the 1937 movie On The Avenue, starring Dick Powell and Alice Faye, who introduced the song in the movie. Billie Holiday recorded it in 1937 as did Mildred Bailey. Other notable recordings include those by Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, and Doris Day.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and his daughter, Antonia Bennett, recorded “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm” in 2004; it was released on A Swingin’ Christmas in 2008, featuring The Count Basie Big Band. It was arranged by Lee Musiker.

I"ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm (with Antonia Bennett)

Listen to I"ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm (with Antonia Bennett) on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2008.

“I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm,” as well as A Swingin’ Christmas, is available from Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Save the Date!

What date is that? It’s December 13, 2020, and you don’t want to miss it.

It’s almost time for The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, which starts on December 13! Get ready for a festival of Tony Bennett singing Christmas carols and songs.

We can’t think of a better way to count down to Christmas Day and we hope you’ll be joining us.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: A Child Is Born

On the final day of the Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, Sunday, December 25, 2017, the song of the day is “A Child Is Born.”

About This Song

“A Child Is Born” was written in 1969 by Thad Jones, whose younger brother, Elvin, was a noted jazz drummer. Thad Jones was a member of the Count Basie Orchestra starting in 1954. He left the orchestra in 1963 to pursue a career as an arranger and studio trumpet player and later moved to Denmark. “A Child Is Born” is his best known composition; the wonderful lyrics are by Alec Wilder.

About This Version

Tony Bennet and Bill Evans recorded “A Child Is Born” in 1976 for their second album Together Again.

A Child Is Born

Listen to A Child Is Born on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1977.


“A Child Is Born,” as well as Together Again, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Peace on earth and goodwill to all.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: White Christmas

On the eleventh day of the Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, Sunday, December 24, 2017, the song of the day is “White Christmas.”

About This Song

Today’s song was written in 1940 by Irving Berlin. “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 recorded this very fine recording of “White Christmas” in 1987 for his album of songs by Irving Berlin: Bennett/Berlin. Dexter Gordon is featured on tenor saxophone.

White Christmas - 1987 Version

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


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

About Today

Here’s Bing Crosby singing “White Christmas” from the 1942 movie Holiday Inn.

Subscribe to The Year of Tony Bennett

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Current Reader Favorites