The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

The song of the day for Sunday, December 19, 2021, the sixth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, is “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”

About This Song

“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” was written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane and was introduced by Judy Garland in the 1944 movie Meet Me In St. Louis. In a Twitter conversation in November 2012, Tony Bennett said that “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” is his favorite Christmas song. It’s mine too.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” for his 2008 album A Swingin’ Christmas,” which featured The Count Basie Big Band.

“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” as well as A Swingin’ Christmas is available on Apple Music.

Today we have a clip from Meet Me In St. Louis, with Judy Garland singing today’s song to a very young Margaret Hamilton:

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Song of the Day: Christmas Time Is Here

The song of the day for December 17, 2021, the fourth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, is “Christmas Time Is Here.”

About This Song

“Christmas Time Is Here” was written by Vince Guaraldi and Lee Mendelson for the 1965 television special, A Charlie Brown Christmas, which is still played each Christmas. This song has also been recorded by artists including Diana Krall, Anita Baker, Mel Tormé, and Mariah Carey.

The program will be aired on December 19, 2021, on PBS (check your local listings). It will also be streaming on Apple TV+.

About This Version

Tony Bennet recorded “Christmas Time Is Here” for his 2008 album with The Count Basie Big Band, A Swingin’ Christmas. Torrie Zito wrote the arrangement.

“Christmas Time Is Here,” as well as A Swingin’ Christmas is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Silver Bells

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

About This Song

“Silver Bells” was written in 1950 by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans. Lyricist Evans says that the song was originally called “Tinkle Bells.” That is until composer Jay Livingston told his wife about the new song and she reminded him that the word ‘tinkle’ had another meaning and so it was changed to “Silver Bells.” It was first recorded in 1950 by Bing Crosby and Carol Richards and was also used in the 1951 movie The Lemon Drop Kid with Bob Hope, who performed the song with Marilyn Maxwell.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Silver Bells” in 2004 with The Count Basie Big Band for the album A Swingin’ Christmas, which was released in 2008. Lee Musiker, Bennett’s pianist and musical director, wrote the arrangement.

“Silver Bells,” as well as A Swingin’ Christmas is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Fascinating Rhythm

The song of the day for Sunday, January 20, 2021, is “Fascinating Rhythm.”

About This Song

Written by George and Ira Gershwin in 1924 for the Broadway musical Lady Be Good, “Fascinating Rhythm” was introduced by Cliff Edwards and Fred and Adele Astaire. The Astaires also recorded the song in 1926 with Gershwin on the piano. “Fascinating Rhythm” was and still is, a jazz number. For that reason, it has never been out of favor with jazz artists, both vocal and instrumental.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Fascinating Rhythm” in 1958 with The Count Basie Big Band for the 1959 album In Person.

Fascinatin" Rhythm

Listen to Fascinatin" Rhythm on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1959.

“Fascinating Rhythm,” as well as In Person, is available from Apple Music.

Bennett first recorded “Fascinating Rhythm” on the Leslie label. Long thought to be lost, a copy of the record was found and was included in the 2011 Complete Collection Box Set.

Fascinatin" Rhythm

Listen to Fascinatin" Rhythm on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2012.

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Song of the Day: Christmas Time Is Here

On the tenth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, the song of the day for Wednesday, December 23, 2020, is “Christmas Time Is Here.”

About This Song

“Christmas Time Is Here” was written by Vince Guaraldi and Lee Mendelson for the 1965 television special, A Charlie Brown Christmas, which is a perennial holiday favorite. This song has also been recorded by artists including Diana Krall, Anita Baker, Mel Tormé, and Mariah Carey.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Christmas Time Is Here” with The Count Basie Big Band for his 2008 album A Swingin’ Christmas.

Christmas Time Is Here

Listen to Christmas Time Is Here on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2008.

“Christmas Time Is Here,” as well as A Swingin’ Christmas, is available from Apple Music.

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