The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

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

On the eighth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, the song of the day for Monday, December 21, 2020, is “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.”

About This Song

“I’ll Be Home For Christmas” was composed by Walter Kent, with lyrics by Kim Gannon and Buck Ram, in 1943. 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 my 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

Tony Bennett, with The Count Basie Big Band, recorded “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” for his 2008 album A Swingin’ Christmas. It was arranged by Bill Holman.

I’ll Be Home for Christmas

Listen to I’ll Be Home for Christmas on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2008.

“I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” as well as A Swingin’ Christmas, is available from Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

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

By Leave a Comment

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

On the ninth day of the Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, Friday, December 22, 2017, the song of the day is “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.”

About This Song

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

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” for the 2008 album A Swingin’ Christmas with the Count Basie Big Band. The arrangement was done by Bill Holman.

I’ll Be Home for Christmas

I’ll Be Home for Christmas, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify


“I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” as well as A Swingin’ Christmas, is available from iTunes.

By Leave a Comment

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

Today is the sixth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas.
The song of the day for Monday, December 19, 2016 is “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.”

About This Song

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

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” in 1994, live on the Daily Show. It was added to the CD re-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


“I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” as well as Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album, is available from iTunes.

By Leave a Comment

On the Eleventh Day of a Tony Bennett Christmas

On the eleventh day of a Tony Bennett Christmas, Wednesday, December 24, 2014, our song is “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.”

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

Tony Bennett sang today’s version of “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” live on the Jon Stewart Show (now known as The Daily Show with Jon Stewart) in December 1994. This recording was added to the CD re-release of Snowfall, Bennett’s first (and wonderful) Christmas album.

I’ll Be Home For Christmas – Live

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


“I’ll Be Home For Christmas, as well as Snowfall, is available from iTunes.

Subscribe to The Year of Tony Bennett

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Current Reader Favorites