White Christmas
| PROFILE | |
| Composer and Lyricist | Irving Berlin |
| Year Written | 1940 |
| About White Christmas | |
| “White Christmas” is one of America’s most beloved Christmas songs. In the not-often-heard verse of the song, we hear that “the sun is shining, the grass is green, the orange and palm trees sway, there’s never been such a day in Beverly Hills, L.A. But it’s December the 24 …” And indeed, Irving Berlin was in Los Angeles when he wrote “White Christmas,” expressing that longing for a traditional back-home Christmas. Bing Crosby recorded the song in 1942 and completely dominated the music charts for weeks. Crosby’s single “White Christmas” is the biggest-selling single record of all time, worldwide, with over 100 million copies. | |
Lyrics
I’m dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the tree tops glisten
And children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow
I’m dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all
Your Christmases be white
I’m dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the tree tops glisten
And children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow
I’m dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases
May all your Christmases
May all your Christmases
May all your Christmases be white
Session / Album Information
1967
“White Christmas” was recorded in June 1967 and released the next year on the album Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album. It was arranged by Robert Farnon.
This recording released on:
- 1968: Columbia LP 12″: CS 9739 — Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album
- 1969: CBS LP 12″: 63782 — Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album (UK)
- 1972: Columbia Special Products LP 12″: P 11406 — Tony Bennett and His Friends “Over The Holidays”
- 1989: Columbia House Music Collection CD: C22-7927 — The Great American Composers: Irving Berlin
- 1994: Columbia CD: CK 66459 — Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album
- 2011: Disc #37 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK36) Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album
1987
“White Christmas” was recorded in May 1987 and was released that year on Bennett/Berlin. This song was arranged by Tony Bennett and features Dexter Gordon on tenor saxophone.
This recording released on:
- 1987: Columbia 45: 38-07658
- 1987: Columbia LP 12″: FC 44029 — Bennett/Berlin
- 1987: Columbia LP 12″: C 44029 — Bennett/Berlin
- 1987: CBS LP 12″: 4604501 — Bennett/Berlin (Neth.)
- 1987: CBS LP 12″: 4604501 — Bennett/Berlin (UK)
- 1987: Columbia CD: CK 44029 — Bennett/Berlin
- 1988: CBS/Sony CD: 32DP-893 — Bennett/Berlin [Japan]
- 2011: Disc #56 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK55) Bennett/Berlin
2000
“White Christmas” was recorded on December 21, 2000 with Vanessa Williams and was released the following year on Our Favorite Things. It was arranged by Jorge Calandrelli.
This recording released on:
- 2011: Disc #66 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK64) Our Favorite Things