The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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

The song of the day for December 17, 2022, the fourth day of The Twelve Days 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 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 and released it in 2008 for A Swingin’ Christmas. It was arranged by Lee Musiker.

“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: Santa Claus is Coming to Town

The song of the day for December 15, 2022, the second day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, is “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.”

About This Song

“Santa Claus is Coming to Town” was written in 1934 by John Frederick Coots and Haven Gillespie. The song 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 Coming to Town” in 2004 and released it in 2008 for A Swingin’ Christmas. It was arranged by Bill Holman and features Andy Snitzer on alto sax. The album features The Count Basie Big Band.

“Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” as well as A Swingin’ Christmas is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: O Christmas Tree

The song of the day for Friday, December 24, 2021, the eleventh day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, is “O Christmas Tree.”

About This Song

Also known as “O Tannenbaum,” this song is based on a 16th-century German folk song. Originally, the lyric was not specifically about Christmas, but about the “evergreen” qualities of the fir tree and dealt with faithless love.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “O Christmas Tree” for his 2008 album A Swingin’ Christmas. The lovely arrangement is by Lee Musiker; Monty Alexander plays piano, beautifully.

“O Christmas Tree,” as well as A Swingin’ Christmas is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Christmas Waltz

The song of the day for Thursday, December 23, 2021, the tenth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, is “The Christmas Waltz.”

About This Song

“The Christmas Waltz” was written in 1954 by Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn. They wrote it for Frank Sinatra to sing; it was released on the B-side with “White Christmas.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Christmas Waltz” for his 2008 album A Swingin’ Christmas.

“The Christmas Waltz,” as well as A Swingin’ Christmas is available on Apple Music.

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

The song of the day for Wednesday, December 22, 2021, the ninth day of The Twelve Days 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, recorded “I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm” for the 2008 album A Swingin’ Christmas. 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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