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 Tuesday, December 18, 2018, is “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.”
Today is the fifth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas.

About This Song

“Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” was written in 1934 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 of the sheet music had been sold.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” with The Count Basie Big Band for the 2008 album A Swingin’ Christmas.

Santa Claus Is Coming to Town

Santa Claus Is Coming to Town, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” as well as A Swingin’ Christmas, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

The song of the day for Saturday, December 15, 2018, is “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”
Today is the second day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas.

About This Song

“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” was written by Hugh Martin in 1944 for the film Meet Me In St. Louis. The song was introduced by Judy Garland and sung to a very young Margaret O’Brien, who won a special Academy Award for a juvenile actor.

About This Version

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

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” as well as A Swingin’ Christmas, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Our video today is Judy Garland singing today’s song to Margaret O’Brien from Meet Me in St. Louis.

Judy Garland – Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

From the movie “Meet me in St. Louis” (1944). Con Subtitulos en Español

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

On the second day of the Twelve Days Tony Bennett Christmas, Friday, December 15, 2017, the song of day is “I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm.”

About This Song

“I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm” was written in 1937 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 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 a lovely duet of today’s song for 2008 album A Swingin’ Christmas, which features the Count Basie Big Band. The arrangement was written by Lee Musiker.

I"ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm (feat. Count Basie Big Band)

Listen to I"ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm (feat. Count Basie Big Band) on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Count Basie Big Band · 2008


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