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.