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

The song of the day for December 16, 2024, the third day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, is “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.”

About This Song

“Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” was written by John Frederick Coots and Haven Gillespie. The song had a spectacular debut. It 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 had been sold.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” in June 1967 for his album Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album. It was arranged by Robert Farnon.

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

Tony Bennett recorded “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” with The Count Basie Band for the 2008 album A Swingin’ Christmas. I’m unsure where or when this video was made, but I think it was at the Bergen Performing Arts Center in Bergen, New Jersey.

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Song of the Day: The Christmas Waltz

The song of the day for December 15, 2024, the second day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, is “The Christmas Waltz.”

About This Song

“The Christmas Waltz” was written by Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn for Frank Sinatra, who recorded it for the B-side of a 45 record with “A White Christmas.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with The Count Basie Big Band, recorded “The Christmas Waltz” in 2004 for A Swingin’ Christmas, released in 2008.

“The Christmas Waltz,” as well as A Swingin’ Christmas is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm

The song of the day for December 14, 2024, the first day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, is “I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm.”

About This Song

“I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm” was written by Irving Berlin for the 1937 movie On The Avenue, starring Dick Powell and Alice Faye, who introduced the song in the movie. Billie Holiday recorded it in 1937 as did Mildred Bailey. Other notable recordings include those by Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, and Doris Day.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and his daughter, Antonia Bennett, recorded “I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm” with The Count Basie Big Band in 2004 for A Swingin’ Christmas, released in 2008. Lee Musiker wrote the arrangement.

“I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm,” as well as A Swingin’ Christmas is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

The song of the day for Wednesday, December 21, 2022, the eighth 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 (who was born in my hometown of Birmingham, Alabama, and attended the same college I did) and Ralph Blaine in 1943 for the 1944 film Meet Me In St. Louis. The song was introduced by Judy Garland, who sang it to her very young sister, played by Margaret O’Brien.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” in 2004 for his album with The Count Basie Big Band, A Swingin’ Christmas, released in 2008.

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.)

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

Here’s the clip from Meet Me In St. Louis, with Judy Garland and Margaret O’Brien.

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Song of the Day: Silver Bells

The song of the day for December 18, 2022, the fifth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, is “Silver Bells.”

About This Song

“Silver Bells” was written 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. The song was released in 2008 on the album A Swingin’ Christmas, with The Count Basie Big Band. Lee Musiker wrote the arrangement.

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