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 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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Song of the Day: The Christmas Song

The song of the day for Sunday, December 16, 2018, is “The Christmas Song.”
Today is the third day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas.

About This Song

“The Christmas Song,” better known as “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire,” was written by Mel Tormé and Robert Wells. 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 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 the album Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album; Robert Farnon did the arrangement.

The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)

The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire), a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“The Christmas Song,” as well as Snowfall, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: The Christmas Song

On the fifth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, Monday, December 18, 2017, the song of the day is “The Christmas Song.”

About This Song

“The Christmas Song” was written in 1944 by Mel Tormé and Robert Wells. 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 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 the album Snowfall, released in 1968. It was arranged and conducted by Robert Farnon.

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, is available from iTunes.

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