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 Thursday, December 26, 2019, 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 for the album A Swingin’ Christmas, released in 2008.

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

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Song of the Day: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

The song of the day for Tuesday, December 24, 2019, is “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”

About This Song

“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” was written in 1943 by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane. Hugh Martin, like your author, is from Birmingham, Alabama and, also like your author, attended Birmingham-Southern College.

It was introduced by Judy Garland in the 1944 movie Meet Me In St. Louis. In a Twitter conversation in November 2012, Tony Bennett said that “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” is his favorite Christmas song.

It’s my favorite Christmas song too.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” in 2004 for the album A Swingin’ Christmas, which was released in 2008, The album featured The Count Basie Orchestra.

As a Judy Garland fan, I have to offer her original recording from Meet Me In St.Louis:

About Today

Boy, am I glad to be back! I wound up in the hospital once again with pneumonia. I’m over the pneumonia, but I am still recovering physically from the ordeal. I’m told this to be expected, so I’m trying to be patient. Meanwhile, I’m hobbling around on a walker, which I need right now but can’t wait to put that thing in the closet.

In order to put in new carpet and flooring in my apartment, they had to pack up all of my stuff and move it out. Except for the kitchen not being affected as it’s all off the floor, it’s like moving in all over again. I’m going to take advantage of the situation to do a little Marie Kondo. But unlike Marie, all books and music bring joy!

Merry Christmas to you all!

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Song of the Day: O Christmas Tree

The song of the day for Monday, December 24, 2018, is “O Christmas Tree.”
Today is the eleventh day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas.

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 the 2008 album A Swingin’ Christmas. The song was arranged by Lee Musiker, who played the piano for this recording.

O Christmas Tree

O Christmas Tree, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“O Christmas Tree,” as well as A Swingin’ Christmas, is available from iTunes.

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

The song of the day for Friday, December 21, 2018, is “I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm.”
Today is the eighth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas.

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 did the arrangement.

I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm

I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm, a song by Tony Bennett, Antonia Bennett on Spotify

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

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Song of the Day: Santa Claus Is Coming to Town

The song of the day for Tuesday, December 18, 2018, is “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.”
Today is the fifth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas.

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. it 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 this version of “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” with The Count Basie Big Band for the 2008 album A Swingin’ Christmas.

Santa Claus Is Coming to Town

Santa Claus Is Coming to Town, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” as well as A Swingin’ Christmas, is available from iTunes.