Silver Bells
1950



Video
Recording History
101 Strings Orchestra, 2003
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Buddy Emmons
Trudy Erwin
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Kevin Eubanks
Eugene Ormandy and The Philadelphia Orchestra , 1987
Merle Evans
Percy Faith, 1966
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Ferrante & Teicher , 1966
Brandon Fields
The Fontaine Sisters
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Kenny G, 1994
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Highlights
  • Written for the 1951 Paramount Pictures film The Lemon Drop Kid, starring Bob Hope and Marilyn Maxwell.
  • When the Lemon Drop Kid accidentally steers Moose Moran's girl away from a winning bet, he is forced to come up with $10, 000 to repay the angry gangster. Fortunately it's Christmas, a time when people can be persuaded to party with money for the right cause.
  • Original tagline: "Bob Hope makes those "Silver Bells" ring out...With all the wonderful guys and gals of Damon Runyan's Broadway!"
  • First performed by Bob Hope and Marilyn Maxwel in the film The Lemon Drop Kid, filmed in July and August of 1950, released in March of 1951.
  • The first recorded version was by Bing Crosby and Carol Richards, released by Decca Records in October of 1950. Their recording became so popular, Bob Hope and Marilyn Maxwell were called back into the studio to re-film a more elaborate production of the song for the film before it was released.
  • Originally written as "Tinkle Bells", the song was changed after Jay Livingston's first wife informed the songwriters that the term "tinkle" was a term used by children to refer to urination.
  • One of the few urban Christmas songs since it takes place in a city center and not in the countryside.
  • Lux Radio Theater broadcast a 60 minute radio adaptation of the movie on December 10, 1951 with Bob Hope reprising his film role.
  • Bob Hope made "Silver Bells" his Christmas theme, performing it every year on his annual Christmas television special. He usually sang the song as a duet with the lead female guest. Over the years he teamed up with Olivia Newton-John, Shirley Jones, Barbara Mandress and his wife Delores Hope.
  • Among the most performed ASCAP standards 1979-1989.
  • Charted in the UK for the first time in 2009 when a duet by Sir Terry Wogan and Aled Jones recorded for charity reached the Top 40, peaking at no. 27.

Lyrics

Spoken, brightly:
Christmas makes you feel emotional.
It may bring parties or thoughts of devotional.
Whatever happens or what may be,
Here is what Christmas time means to me. 

City sidewalks, busy sidewalks
Dressed in holiday style.
In the air there’s a feeling of Christmas.
Children laughing, people passing,
Meeting smile after smile,
And on ev’ry street corner you hear: 

Silver bells, silver bells,
It’s Christmas time in the city.
Ring-a-ling, hear them ring,
Soon it will be Christmas day. 

Strings of city street lights, even stop lights
Blink a bright red and green,
As the shoppers rush home with their treasures.
Hear the snow crunch, see the kids bunch,
This is Santa’s big scene,
And above all this bustle you hear:

Silver bells, silver bells,
It’s Christmas time in the city.
Ring-a-ling, hear them ring,
Soon it will be Christmas day.

 
 
SILVER BELLS As sung by Bob Hope and Marilyn Maxwell in the Paramount Picture The Lemon Drop Kid Paramount Music Corporation, 1950 Music and Words by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans (Special Picture Release)