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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

December 19, 2012 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: I’ll Be Home For Christmas

On the Sixth Day of Tony Bennett Christmas, Wednesday, December 19, 2012, the song of the day is I’ll Be Home For Christmas.

Tony Bennett painting for the American Cancer Society Christmas Card for 2012
Tony Bennett painting for the American Cancer Society Christmas Card for 2012

About I’ll Be Home For Christmas

I’ll Be Home For Christmas was written in 1943 by Walter Kent with original lyrics by Kim Gannon. Buck Ram, who had also written a song based on his own poem of the same name, was later added as a lyricist. Originally recorded by Bing Crosby, the song is said to have been written from a soldier in World War II, yearning to be back home for Christmas.

Bing Crosby’s recording was released by the U.S. War Department on a V-Disc for soldiers stationed overseas.

About This Version

This version of I’ll Be Home For Christmas is from Tony Bennett’s album A Swingin’ Christmas, featuring the Count Basie Big Band and the Quartet with Monty Alexander (p), Gray Sargent (g), Paul Langosch (b) and Harold Jones (d). The song was arranged and conducted by Bill Holman. Unlike other recordings of I’ll Be Home For Christmas, this version is delightfully upbeat.

I"ll Be Home for Christmas (feat. Count Basie Big Band)

Listen to I"ll Be Home for Christmas (feat. Count Basie Big Band) on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Count Basie Big Band · 2008

I’ll Be Home For Christmas, as well as the full A Swingin’ Christmas album, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: 12 Days of Tony Bennett Christmas, Bing Crosby, Buck Ram, Kim Gannon, Walter Kent

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