Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

A beautiful rustic Christmas tree inside an old food tin featured in Country Living Magazine. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Today’s pick is one of my favorite Christmas songs but I hardly hear it during the holiday season which absolutely baffles me. My favorite version of it was recorded by the transcendent Anthony Dominick Benedetto, better known as Tony Bennett. We lost this beautiful man earlier this year, but thanks to a career spanning 70 years, we will thankfully never be without his legacy or his voice. 

In addition to his numerous mainstream recordings, he released a few holiday albums as well. I love them all but today’s song is from 2008’s A Swingin’ Christmas (Featuring The Count Basie Big Band). However, anything by this legend should be on your playlist if you consider yourself to be a music connoisseur. And for a female take on this classic, the best one I have found is by Rosemary Clooney, of course.  

“It’s that time of year
When the world falls in love
Every song you hear seems to say
Merry Christmas“.

1. Tony Bennett in his early career days circa late 1950’s, early 1960’s. 2. Bennett circa 2000. 3. With Frank Sinatra sometime in the 1970’s. 4. With Amy Winehouse for their collaboration on 2011’s Duets II. 5. With Diana Krall for their 2018 album. 6. Bennett and Clooney in 1950 (this photo by CBS via Getty Images). (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Tony Bennett: “The Christmas Waltz” (2008, written by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne).

Rosemary Clooney: ”The Christmas Waltz” (1996, written by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!