The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: The Christmas Song

The song of the day for Monday, December 19, 2022, the sixth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, is “The Christmas Song.”

About This Song

“The Christmas Song” was written by Mel Tormé and Robert Wells in 1944. Sometimes known by its first line ‘Chestnuts roasting on an open fire,” this song was written on a very hot summer day and Tormé and Wells were trying to think cold Christmasy thoughts in an effort to cool off. The entire song was written in 40 minutes 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 and released in 1968 on Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album. It was arranged by Robert Farnon.

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

And here’s that Nat Cole recording:

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Song of the Day: When Joanna Loved Me

The song of the day for Tuesday, September 6, 2022, is “When Joanna Loved Me.”

About This Song

“When Joanna Loved Me” was written in 1963 by Jack Segal and Robert Wells and is one of Tony Bennett’s more popular songs. When he performed this song, he would introduce it by saying “I love this song so much that I named my first daughter after it.” It’s a lovely ballad.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “When Joanna Loved Me” on September 17, 1963, for the 1964 album The Many Moods of Tony. It was arranged by Marty Manning.

“When Joanna Loved Me,” as well as The Many Moods Of Tony is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Christmas Song

The song of the day for December 20, 2021, the seventh day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, is “The Christmas Song.”

About This Song

Sometimes known by its first line ‘Chestnuts roasting on an open fire,” “The Christmas Song” was written by Robert Wells and Mel Tormé. It was a very hot summer day in 1944 and Tormé and Wells were trying to think cold Christmasy thoughts in an effort to cool off. The entire song was written forty minutes 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 1967 for Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album, released in 1968. 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.

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Song of the Day: The Christmas Song

On the second day of a Tony Bennett Christmas, the song of the day for Tuesday, December 15, 2020, is “The Christmas Song.”

About This Song

“The Christmas Song” was written by Mel Tormé and Robert Wells in 1944. Sometimes known by its first line ‘Chestnuts roasting on an open fire,” this song was written on a very hot summer day. Tormé and Wells were trying to think cold Christmasy thoughts in an effort to cool off. The entire song was written forty minutes 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 1967; it was released the next year on the album Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album. Robert Farnon conducted the orchestra and wrote the arrangement.

The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)

Listen to The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1968.

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

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Tony Live! When Johanna Loved Me

The song of the day for Saturday, August 22, 2020, is “When Johanna Loved Me.”

About This Song

“When Johanna Loved Me” was written in 1963 by Jack Segal and Robert Wells. “When Joanna Love Me” is one of Tony Bennett’s more popular songs. When he sings it in concert, he introduces the song by saying “I love this song so much that I named my first daughter after it.” It’s a lovely ballad.

About This Version

Tony Bennett sang “When Johanna Loved Me” at his 1994 live performance on MTV Unplugged.

“When Johanna Loved Me,” as well as MTV Unplugged, is available from Apple Music.

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