Tag Archives: Ray Evans

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2022: Day 20

Posted in 25 Days Of Christmas Music, Christmas by

Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

Day 20 2022

A sweet vintage Christmas card image found on Pinterest. (Original source unknown.)

Time for another Motown take on a holiday song. One of the most definitive voices from The Motor City started his career there in 1961 at the tender young age of 11. In six years time he had released eight albums, including 1967’s “Someday At Christmas“. The record contains six original compositions & six traditional songs. Today’s pick is my favorite from the second category.

“Children laughing
People passing
Meeting smile after smile
And on every street corner you hear“.

Stevie

Stevie Wonder circa 1967. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Stevie Wonder: “Silver Bells” (1967, written by Ray Evans and Jay Livingston).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2021: Day 23

Posted in Christmas, Holidays, Music by

Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

silver bells

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I try to present a variety of songs & artists every year on this countdown to make it as fun and diverse as possible. However, I do struggle each December to pick just one song by Elvis Presley. He recorded so many holiday tunes and each one was absolutely glorious. This year was a little easier because this track was one of the first seasonal songs I heard on the radio this year. As soon as I did I realized it was the feature for 2021. All hail The King, especially at Christmas time.

“City sidewalks busy sidewalks
Dressed in holiday style
In the air there’s a
Feeling of Christmas”.

Elvis

Santa meets Elvis circa 1958. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Elvis Presley: “Silver Bells” (1971, written by Ray Evans and Jay Livingston).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing some things that I love with you  

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

Let’s Take A Moment Day 366

Posted in Music by

Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

March 2021 Blog

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are still facing a serious situation but a new year gives us hope for the new days, seasons, opportunities & moments ahead. Still, music is something that will never change for me. It is my refuge, the most comforting part of my life & the one thing I consistently count on. So until a more normal semblance of life returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

Today’s song was a #1 hit in 1950. The initial version won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for the same year after it was featured in the movie “Captain Carey, U.S.A.”. With all due respect to the film rendition, it could not come close to the version by Nathaniel Adams Cole, who was born March 17, 1919 in Alabama. No one but no one sang a song like him, better known by his stage name, Nat King Cole. Happy birthday to him and Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all of you.

“Many dreams have been brought to your doorstep
They just lie there and they die there
Are you warm, are you real, Mona Lisa,
Or just a cold and lonely, lovely work of art“.

Nat King Cole

Nat King Cole circa 1950. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Nat King Cole: “Mona Lisa” (1950, written by Ray Evans and Jay Livingston).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2018: Day 22

Posted in Christmas, Music by

Hi, Everybody!!!  Welcome back to the countdown.

I follow a lot of unbelievably talented & creative women on Instagram, and since their pictures are so beautiful, I wanted to share a few with you.

Screenshot_20181218-174651_01

Courtesy of Amanda @rosierosechic. 

This pretty picture is from Amanda @rosierosechic.   Her style is feminine without being too girly, creative, thrifted, elegant and neutral with the softest pops of color.  And the way she decorated her young daughter’s room is so beautiful I would not mind having a space like that for myself.  You can see that room and the rest of her lovely home on her IG page.  Thank you, Amanda, for letting me use your picture!!!

Now back to the countdown.

Today’s song was originally recorded by Bing Crosby & Carol Richards in 1950 and was featured in the 1951 movie “The Lemon Drop Kid” where it was sung by Bob Hope & Marilyn Maxwell.  It was written by movie composers Jay Livingston (music) and Ray Evans (lyrics).  Like many other Christmas songs originally sung by Crosby, it has become a holiday staple covered by everyone from Perry Como, Elvis Presley, The Supremes, Martina McBride and Michael Buble, to name a few.  But my favorite version is by the man born Dino Paul Crocetti.

Dean Dino

Dean Martin:  “Silver Bells” (1966).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing some things that I love with you  🙂

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!