The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Silver Bells

The song of the day for December 17, 2025, the 4th day of a Tony Bennett Christmas, is “Silver Bells,”

About This Song

“Silver Bells” was written in 1950 by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans. The song was originally called “Tinkle Bells.” That is, until composer Jay Livingston told his wife about the new song and she reminded him that the word ‘tinkle’ had another meaning and so it was changed to “Silver Bells.” It was first recorded in 1950 by Bing Crosby and Carol Richards and was also used in the 1951 movie The Lemon Drop Kid with Bob Hope, who performed the song with Marilyn Maxwell.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Silver Bells” in 2004 for A Swingin’ Christmas, released in 2008. The album featured The Count Basie Orchestra. Lee Musiker wrote the arrangement

“Silver Bells,” as well as A Swingin’ Christmas, is available on Apple Music.

We have a video of Tony Bennett, with The Count Basie Orchestra, singing “Silver Bells, from 2004.

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

The song of the day for Monday, December 15, 2025, the second day of a Tony Bennett Christmas 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 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, with The Count Basie Big Band, recorded “I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm” in 2004 for the album A Swingin’ Christmas, released in 2008. Lee Musiker wrote the arrangement.

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

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Song of the Day: I Wanna Be Around

The song of the day for Tuesday, February 19, 2025, is “I Wanna Be Around.”

About This Song

“I Wanna Be Around” was written in 1959 by Johnny Mercer and Sadie Vimmerstedt. The story of this song is legendary in the music business.

Sadie Vimmerstedt, who lived in Youngstown, Ohio, was a big fan of Johnny Mercer’s music. She wrote the opening line ‘I want to be around to pick up the pieces, when somebody breaks yours heart’ and felt it sounded like a Johnny Mercer song. She mailed a letter to ‘Johnny Mercer, Songwriter, New York.’ The post office forwarded the letter to ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers), who got the letter to Mercer. Mercer wrote the melody himself and completed the lyrics for “I Wanna Be Around” in 1959 and asked Tony Bennett to record it, which he did in 1962. Mercer gave 50% of the royalties to Ms. Vimmerstedt, which made her a wealthy woman and enabled her to retire and travel the world. It is one of the great songs in the American Songbook.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Wanna Be Around” on October 19, 1962, for the album I Wanna Be Around, released 62 years ago on February 18, 1963. Marty Manning wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

Sadie Vimmerstedt, who lived in Youngstown, Ohio, was a big fan of Johnny Mercer’s music. She wrote the opening line ‘I want to be around to pick up the pieces, when somebody breaks yours heart’ and felt it sounded like a Johnny Mercer song. She mailed a letter to ‘Johnny Mercer, Songwriter, New York.’ The post office forwarded the letter to ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers), who got the letter to Mercer. Mercer wrote the melody himself and completed the lyrics for “I Wanna Be Around” in 1959 and asked Tony Bennett to record it, which he did in 1962. Mercer gave 50% of the profits to Ms. Vimmerstedt, which made her a wealthy woman and enabled her to retire and travel the world. It is one of the great songs in the American Songbook.

“I Wanna Be Around,” as well as the album I Wanna Be Around, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: A Child Is Born

The song of the day for Monday, December 25, 2023, the last day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, is “A Child Is Born.”

About This Song

“A Child Is Born” was written by Thad Jones and Alec Wilder in 1969. 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 Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “A Child Is Born” in September 1976 for their second album, Together Again, released in 1977 on Bennett’s own Improv label.

“A Child Is Born,” as well as Together Again is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Snowfall Medley

The song of the day for Saturday, December 24, 2023, the eleventh day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, is “Snowfall Medley.”

About This Song

This medley consists of religious and secular Christmas songs, including “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” “Silent Night,” “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” “Silent Night,” and “Where Is Love.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this medley on October 1, 1968, for Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album. It was arranged and conducted by Robert Farnon.

“Snowfall Medley,” as well as Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album is available on Apple Music.