The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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

The song of the day for Friday, December 21, 2018, is “I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm.”
Today is the eighth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas.

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 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” for the 2008 album A Swingin’ Christmas. Lee Musiker did the arrangement.

I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm

I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm, a song by Tony Bennett, Antonia Bennett on Spotify

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

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Song of the Day: Winter Wonderland

The song of the day for Thursday, December 20, 2018, is “Winter Wonderland.”
Today is the seventh day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas.

About This Song

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

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Winter Wonderland” in 1968 for the album Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album and features a lovely arrangement by Robert Farnon.

Winter Wonderland

Winter Wonderland, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

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

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Song of the Day: White Christmas

The song of the day for Wednesday, December 19, 2018, is “White Christmas.”
Today is the sixth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas.

About This Song

Irving Berlin wrote “White Christmas” in 1940 and it is one of America’s most beloved Christmas songs. In the not-often-heard verse of the song, we hear that “the sun is shining, the grass is green, the orange and palm trees sway, there’s never been such a day in Beverly Hills, L.A. But it’s December the 24 ….” And indeed, Irving Berlin was in Los Angeles when he wrote “White Christmas,” expressing that longing for a traditional back-home Christmas. Bing Crosby recorded the song in 1942 and completely dominated the music charts for weeks. Crosby’s single of “White Christmas” is the biggest-selling single record of all time, worldwide, at over 100-million copies.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “White Christmas” in 1987 for his album featuring songs written by Irving Berlin: Bennett/Berlin. Dexter Gordon is the tenor saxophone soloist for this recording.

White Christmas

White Christmas, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“White Christmas,” as well as Bennett/Berlin, is available from iTunes.

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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: Silver Bells

The song of the day for Monday, December 17, 2018, is “Silver Bells.”
Today is the fourth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas.

About This Song

“Silver Bells” was written in 1950 by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans. 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” with The Count Basie Big Band for his 2008 album A Swingin’ Christmas. It was arranged by Lee Musiker.

Silver Bells

Silver Bells, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“Silver Bells,” as well as A Swingin’ Christmas, is available from iTunes.