The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

On the ninth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, the song of the day for Tuesday, December 22, 2020, is “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.”

About This Song

“Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” was written in 1934 by John Frederick Coots and Haven Gillespie. 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 this version of “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” in 1968 for Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album. Robert Farnon wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

Santa Claus Is Comin" To Town

Listen to Santa Claus Is Comin" To Town on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1968

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

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Song of the Day: Snowfall

On the 5th day of a Tony Bennett Christmas, the song of the day for Friday, December 18, 2020, is “Snowfall.”

About This Song

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

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Snowfall” in 1968 and released it that year on Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album. Robert Farnon arranged and conducted the album.

Snowfall

Tony Bennett · Snowfall - The Tony Bennett Christmas Album · Song · 1968

“Snowfall,” as well as the album of the same name, is available from 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. Song · Tony Bennett · 1968

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

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Song of the Day: Snowfall Christmas Medley

The song of the day for Sunday, December 23, 2018, is the Christmas medley from the album Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album.
Today is the tenth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas.

About This Song

This medley contains “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” “Silent Night,” “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” “Jingle Bells,” and “Where Is Love.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this medley for Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album. in 1968, with musical direction by Robert Farnon.

Medley

Medley, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“Snowfall Christmas Medley,” as well as Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: I’ll Be Home For Christmas

The song of the day for Saturday, December 22, 2018, is “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.”
Today is the eighth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas.

About This Song

“I’ll Be Home For Christmas” was written in 1943 by Walter Kent (music) and Buck Ram and Kim Gannon (lyrics).

This song, released at the height of World War II, tells the story of a soldier stationed overseas, who yearns to be home with family for Christmas, if only in his dreams. Bing Crosby recorded this song in 1943 and it was a best seller. The War Department issued a V-Disc with Crosby’s versions of this song and “White Christmas” that was sent to soldiers stationed all over the world. One wonders if the young soldier Anthony Benedetto, who was stationed in Germany, might have listened to this v-disc at some point.

About This Version

Our version of “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” was recorded live on The Daily Show with John Stewart in 1994. This recording was added to the CD release of Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album.

I’ll Be Home For Christmas – Live

I’ll Be Home For Christmas – Live, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album is available from iTunes.

About Today

Our video today is from the recording of “A Swingin’ Christmas” with the Count Basie Big Band.

Tony Bennett – I’ll Be Home for Christmas (from A Swingin’ Christmas)

Music video by Tony Bennett performing I’ll Be Home for Christmas. (C) 2008 Sony Music Entertainment http://vevo.ly/drSn64