The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: The Christmas Song

The song of the day for December 20, 2023, the seventh day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, is “The Christmas Song.”

About This Song

“The Christmas Song” was written in 1944 by Mel Tormé and Robert Wells. Sometimes known by its first line ‘Chestnuts roasting on an open fire,” this song was written on a very hot summer day and Tormé and Wells were trying to think cold Christmasy thoughts in an effort to cool off. The entire song was written forty minutes and is one of America’s most classic Christmas songs. The first recording was by Nat King Cole in 1946.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Christmas Song” in June 1967 for Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album, released in 1968. It was arranged by Robert Farnon.

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

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Song of the Day: Silver Bells

The song of the day for Tuesday, December 19, 2023, is “Silver Bells.”

About This Song

“Silver Bells” was written in 1950 by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans. Lyricist Evans says that 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, with The Count Basie Orchestra, recorded “Silver Bells” in 2004 for the album A Swingin’ Christmas, released in 2008. Lee Musiker wrote the arrangement.

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

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Song of the Day: Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town

The song of the day for December 17, 2023, the fifth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, is “Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town.”

About This Song

“Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town” was written in 1934 by John Frederick Coots and Haven Gillespie and it had a spectacular debut. The song was first sung on Eddie Cantor’s radio show in November 1934. On the day after the broadcast, there were 100,000 orders for the sheet music; by Christmas, over 400,000 copies of the sheet music had been sold.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town” in June 1967 for his album Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album. Robert Farnon wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town,” as well as Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Christmas Time Is Here

The song of the day for December 17, 2023, the fourth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, is “Christmas Time Is Here.”

About This Song

“Christmas Time Is Here” was written by Vince Guaraldi and Lee Mendelson for the 1965 television special, A Charlie Brown Christmas, which is still played each Christmas. This song has also been recorded by artists including Diana Krall, Anita Baker, Mel Tormé, and Mariah Carey.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Christmas Time Is Here” in 2004 for A Swingin’ Christmas, released in 2008. It was arranged by Torrie Zito.

“Christmas Time Is Here,” as well as A Swingin’ Christmas is available on Apple Music.

Here’s our song, from A Charlie Brown Christmas:

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Song of the Day: White Christmas

The song of the day for December 16, 2023, the third day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, is “White Christmas.”

About This Song

“White Christmas,” written by Irving Berlin in 1940, 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 it completely dominated the music charts for weeks. Crosby’s “White Christmas” single is the biggest-selling single record of all time, worldwide, at over 100 million copies.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “White Christmas” in May 1987 for his album Bennett/Berlin, consisting completely of songs written by Irving Berlin. It was arranged by Tony Bennett and features Dexter Gordon on tenor saxophone.

“White Christmas,” as well as Bennett/Berlin is available on Apple Music.

We also have Bing Crosby’s recording of today’s song:

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