The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: White Christmas

The song of the day for December 21, 2024, the eighth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, is “White Christmas.”

About This Song

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

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “White Christmas” in June 1967 for Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album, released in 1968. Robert Farnon wrote the arrangement.

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

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Song of the Day: The Christmas Song

The song of the day for December 19, 2024, the sixth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, is “The Christmas Song.”

About This Song

“The Christmas Song,” also known by the first line of the lyric as “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire,” was written by Mel Tormé and Robert Wells in 1941. They wrote in on a very hot summer day and they were trying to think cold Christmasy thoughts to cool off. The song was written forty minutes ago 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 1980. Robert Farnon wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

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

Here’s the 1946 recording by Nat Cole:

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Song of the Day: Snowfall

The song of the day for December 17, 2024, the fifth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, is “Snowfall.”

About This Song

“Snowfall” was written by Claude Thornhill (music) and Ruth Thornhill (lyrics) in 1941. It’s an unusual song: it’s a cool jazz song, though written in 1941, long before there was such as thing as cool jazz. It’s an evocative and moody song, though quite beautiful.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Snowfall” on October 1, 1968, for Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album, released in 1968. Robert Farnon wrote the arrangement.

“Snowfall,” as well as Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album 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 16, 2024, the third 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 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 had been sold.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” in June 1967 for his album Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album. It was arranged by Robert Farnon.

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

Tony Bennett recorded “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” with The Count Basie Band for the 2008 album A Swingin’ Christmas. I’m unsure where or when this video was made, but I think it was at the Bergen Performing Arts Center in Bergen, New Jersey.

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Song of the Day: Here’s That Rainy Day

The song of the day for Sunday, October 20, 2024, is “Here’s That Rainy Day.”

About This Song

“Here’s That Rainy Day” was written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke for the 1953 Broadway musical Carnival in Flanders, which only ran for six performances. This song, however, is quite good and has remained a popular ballad over the years. In addition to Bennett’s recording, it has been recorded by those such as Frank Sinatra, Rosemary Clooney, Steve Lawrence, Billy Eckstine, and Ann Hampton Calloway. The song has also proved a favorite of jazz instrumentalists, including Dave Brubeck, Chet Baker, Paul Desmond, and Art Pepper, among many others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Here’s That Rainy Day” on October 1, 1971, for his album With Love, which was released in 1972. Robert Farnon wrote the arrangement.

“Here’s That Rainy Day,” as well as With Love, is available on Apple Music.