The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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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 (feat. Count Basie Big Band)

Listen to I"ll Be Home for Christmas (feat. Count Basie Big Band) on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Count Basie Big Band · 2008


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

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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

Listen to I"ll Be Home For Christmas - Live on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1968


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

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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.

http://open.spotify.com/track/3bn8yvVu6rNiRyf2aXaDBx
“I’ll Be Home For Christmas, as well as Snowfall, is available from iTunes.

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

On the Sixth Day of Tony Bennett Christmas, Wednesday, December 19, 2012, the song of the day is I’ll Be Home For Christmas.

Tony Bennett painting for the American Cancer Society Christmas Card for 2012
Tony Bennett painting for the American Cancer Society Christmas Card for 2012

About I’ll Be Home For Christmas

I’ll Be Home For Christmas was written in 1943 by Walter Kent with original lyrics by Kim Gannon. Buck Ram, who had also written a song based on his own poem of the same name, was later added as a lyricist. Originally recorded by Bing Crosby, the song is said to have been written from a soldier in World War II, yearning to be back home for Christmas.

Bing Crosby’s recording was released by the U.S. War Department on a V-Disc for soldiers stationed overseas.

About This Version

This version of I’ll Be Home For Christmas is from Tony Bennett’s album A Swingin’ Christmas, featuring the Count Basie Big Band and the Quartet with Monty Alexander (p), Gray Sargent (g), Paul Langosch (b) and Harold Jones (d). The song was arranged and conducted by Bill Holman. Unlike other recordings of I’ll Be Home For Christmas, this version is delightfully upbeat.

I"ll Be Home for Christmas (feat. Count Basie Big Band)

Listen to I"ll Be Home for Christmas (feat. Count Basie Big Band) on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Count Basie Big Band · 2008

I’ll Be Home For Christmas, as well as the full A Swingin’ Christmas album, is available from iTunes.