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 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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Song of the Day: Silver Bells

The song of the day for Thursday, December 16, 2021, the third day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, 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 recorded “Silver Bells” in 2004 with The Count Basie Big Band for the album A Swingin’ Christmas, which was released in 2008. Lee Musiker, Bennett’s pianist and musical director, wrote the arrangement.

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

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Song of the Day: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

On the sixth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, the song of the day for is “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”

About This Song

“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” was written by Hugh Martin for the 1944 film Meet Me In St. Louis, where it was sung by Judy Garland to Margaret O’Brien. In a Twitter conversation in November 2012, Tony Bennett said that “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” is his favorite Christmas song. It’s mine too.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” in 2004 for his 2008 album A Swingin’ Christmas. Mr. Bennett is accompanied by his quartet, featuring Lee Musiker on piano, Gray Sargent on guitar, Paul Langosch on bass, and Harold Jones on drums. It’s a wonderful arrangement.

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (feat. Count Basie Big Band)

Listen to Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (feat. Count Basie Big Band) on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Count Basie Big Band · 2008

“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” as well as A Swingin’ Christmas, is available from Apple Music.

Here’s the lovely scene from Meet Me In St. Louis

Meet Me In St. Louis | Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas | Warner Classics

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Meet Me In St. Louis (1944) #WarnerClassics #JudyGarland #MeetMeInStLouis About Meet Me In St. Louis (1944): Divided into a series of seasonal vignettes, starting with Summer 1903, it relates the story of a year in the life of the Smith family in St.

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Song of the Day: Silver Bells

On the third day of a Tony Bennett Christmas, the song of the day for Wednesday, December 16, 2020, is “Silver Bells.”

About This Song

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

Silver Bells (feat. Count Basie Big Band)

Listen to Silver Bells (feat. Count Basie Big Band) on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Count Basie Big Band · 2008

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

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

On the first day of a Tony Bennett Christmas, December 14, 2020, the song of the day 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; it was released on A Swingin’ Christmas in 2008, featuring The Count Basie Big Band. It was arranged by Lee Musiker.

I"ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm (feat. Count Basie Big Band)

Listen to I"ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm (feat. Count Basie Big Band) on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Count Basie Big Band · 2008

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