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, 2023, the seventh day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, 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 June 1967 for Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album, released in 1968. It was arranged by Robert Farnon.

“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: Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town

The song of the day for December 17, 2023, the fifth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, is “Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town.”

About This Song

“Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town” was written in 1934 by John Frederick Coots and Haven Gillespie and it had a spectacular debut. The song 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 “Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town” in June 1967 for his album Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album. Robert Farnon wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

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

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Song of the Day: Snowfall Medley

The song of the day for Friday, December 24, 2022, the 11th day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, is a medley of Christmas songs.

About This Song

The songs in this medley are:

  • “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”
  • “Silent Night”
  • “O Come, All Ye Faithful
  • “Jingle Bells”
  • “Where Is Love?”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this medley of songs on October 1, 1968, for Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album. Robert Farnon wrote the arrangement.

This medley, 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 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: Winter Wonderland

The song of the day for December 16, 2021, the third day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, is “Winter Wonderland.”

About This Song

“Winter Wonderland” was written in 1934 by Felix Barnard and Richard B. Smith. The lyricist, Richard Smith, Smith wrote this song after a snowfall covered his hometown of Honesdale, Pennsylvania. It is a beloved holiday song, even though the lyrics do not explicitly mention Christmas.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Winter Wonderland” on October 1, 1968, and released that year on the album Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album. It was arranged by Robert Farnon.

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