| Video |
 |
| Recording History |
|
Patty Loveless, 2002
|
|
Norman Luboff, 1964
|
|
Loretta Lynn, 1966
|
|
Gloria Estefan, 1993
|
|
Byron Olson and his Orchestra
|
|
Barry Manilow, 2007
|
|
Kevin Eubanks
|
|
Mannheim Steamroller, 2001
|
|
Canadian Brass
|
|
Dean Martin, 1966
|
|
Eugene Ormandy and The Philadelphia Orchestra , 1987
|
|
Henson Cargill
|
|
Al Martino, 1964
|
|
The Carpenters
|
|
Masters of Harmony
|
|
Steve Curtis Chapman, 2005
|
|
Johnny Mathis, 1958
|
|
Kristin Chenoweth, 2008
|
|
Marilyn Maxwell, 1999
|
|
Kenny Chesney, 2003
|
|
Bob McGrath
|
|
Merle Evans
|
|
The Clark Sisters, 2009
|
|
Jimmy McGriff and Hank Crawford
|
|
Percy Faith, 1966
|
|
Rosemary Clooney
|
|
Michael Feinstein, Livingston & Evans Songbook, Concord Records, FCD-3101-2, 2002
|
|
Brian McKnight, 2008
|
|
Ferrante & Teicher , 1966
|
|
Nat King Cole
|
|
Jo Dee Messina, 2002
|
|
Brandon Fields
|
|
Judy Collins, 1997
|
|
The Fontaine Sisters
|
|
Michel'le, 1996
|
|
Perry Como, 1968
|
|
The Four Aces
|
|
Glenn Miller
|
|
Harry Connick, Jr., 2003
|
|
Frank DeVol and His Orchestra
|
|
The Country Gentlemen, 1998
|
|
Jacob Miller
|
|
Kenny G, 1994
|
|
Billy Crash Craddock, 2006
|
|
Mitch Miller, 1961
|
|
Mike Garson
|
|
Floyd Cramer
|
|
John Denver, 1975
|
|
Ronnie Milsap
|
|
Dan Crary, 1997
|
|
Destiny's Child, 2001
|
|
The Mistletoe Dance Band
|
|
Bing Crosby and Carole Richards
|
|
Charlotte Diamond
|
|
Al Morano
|
|
David Cullen, 2001
|
|
Neil Diamond, 1992
|
|
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, 1994
|
|
Fats Domino
|
|
Lucy J. Dalton
|
|
Gary Morris
|
|
Mike Douglas, 1967
|
|
Anne Murray
|
|
The Duke Ellington Orchestra
|
|
Vic Damone
|
|
Sean Na'auao, 2003
|
|
Danny Parks, Joe Caverlee and Matt McGee
|
|
Dulcimer Dan and The Blue Skies Band
|
|
Jim Nabors, 1972
|
|
Nashville Superpickers
|
|
John Davidson, 1969
|
|
Candy Dulfer, 2003
|
|
Bob Dylan, 2009
|
|
Danny Davis and The Nashville Brass, 1970
|
|
Wayne Newton
|
|
Eaken Piano Trio
|
|
Doris Day, 1950
|
|
Toby Keith, 2007
|
|
Eddie Howard and his Orchestra
|
|
Royal Wade Kimes, 2005
|
|
Buddy Emmons
|
|
Antonio Castillo De La Gala
|
|
Jimmy Dean
|
|
Trudy Erwin
|
|
Andre Kostelanetz
|
|
Jack DeMello, 2003
|
|
The Happy Hamsters
|
|
Dave Koz, 1997
|
|
Gene Autry
|
|
Larnelle Harris
|
|
Erich Kunzel, 2006
|
|
P.J. Harvey
|
|
The Belltones
|
|
Christy Lane, 2006
|
|
Brenda Lee
|
|
Reid Hashiro, 2005
|
|
Karen Benjamin and Alan Chapman
|
|
Bobby Helms and Johnny Paycheck
|
|
Tony Bennett, 2008
|
|
Renee Lee
|
|
Heritage Singers
|
|
Liberace
|
|
Big Tiny Little
|
|
Al Hirt
|
|
Booker T and The MGs, 1966
|
|
Living Strings
|
|
Don Ho, 1967
|
|
Pat Boone
|
|
Living Voices
|
|
Gary Hoey
|
|
The Boston Pops, 1990
|
|
Holly Players Orchestra
|
|
Kimberly Locke
|
|
The Brady Bunch, 1970
|
|
Delores Hope
|
|
London Sound 70 Orchestra
|
|
Jim Brickman
|
|
Jim Horn
|
|
Lord Inventor and the Caribbean Rhythm Band
|
|
Bright Eyes
|
|
Taylor Horn, 2005
|
|
William Hung, 2004
|
|
Garth Brooks, 1999
|
|
Jim Hudson and Sydney Martin
|
|
Paul Brooks, 1996
|
|
Engelbert Humperdinck
|
|
Ferlin Husky
|
|
The Gatlin Brothers
|
|
Michael Bublé, Christmas (The Special Edition), Reprise, 2011
|
|
Billy Idol, 2006
|
|
Crystal Gayle, 2006
|
|
101 Strings Orchestra, 2003
|
|
Burl Ives, 1965
|
|
Bob Geresti
|
|
Clay Aiken and Kimberly Locke, 2003
|
|
Alan Jackson, 2002
|
|
Giant Drag, 2004
|
|
Vince Gill, 1998
|
|
Mahalia Jackson, 1990
|
|
Al Caiola and his Orchestra
|
|
Mickey Gilley
|
|
Sonny James
|
|
Ronnie Aldrich
|
|
Vestal Goodman
|
|
George Jones and Gene Watson, 1985
|
|
Allegro Handbell Ensemble
|
|
Jack Jones, 1969
|
|
Danny Gottlieb and Pete Levin
|
|
Alvin and the Chipmunks, 1962
|
|
The Jordanaires, 2001
|
|
America, 2002
|
|
Robert Goulet, 1963
|
|
The Judds
|
|
The Ames Brothers, 1957
|
|
Earl Grant, 1966
|
|
Led Kaapana, 2000
|
|
The Andrews Sisters with The Robert Mitchell Boys Choir
|
|
Eddy Grant
|
|
Sammy Kaye
|
|
Larry Groce, 1979
|
|
David Arkenstone, 1998
|
|
Ben Keith
|
|
Asleep at the Wheel
|
|
Merle Haggard, 1973
|
|
Don Rich, 2000
|
|
Chet Atkins, 1961
|
|
The Hampton String Quartet, 1986
|
|
Ricky-tink
|
|
Atlantic Starr, 1992
|
|
Riders in the Sky
|
|
Elvis Presley, 1971
|
|
Bill Augustine and Malcolm Cecil
|
|
Ruth Price
|
|
Jeannie C. Riley, 2004
|
|
Olivia Newton-John
|
|
John Prine
|
|
Marty Robbins
|
|
Joe Nichols
|
|
Gary Puckett, 2001
|
|
Marcus Roberts
|
|
R.E.M
|
|
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, 1997
|
|
The Northwest Boys Choir
|
|
The Roches, 1990
|
|
Boots Randolph
|
|
Daniel O'Donnell, 2002
|
|
Lou Rawls, 1993
|
|
Rockapella
|
|
The Oak Ridge Boys
|
|
The Ray Charles Singers
|
|
Kenny Rogers, 1989
|
|
The Osmond Family
|
|
Patti Page, 1965
|
|
Diana Ross
|
|
Brad Paisley, 2006
|
|
The Ray Conniff Singers, 1959
|
|
Sandler & Young, 1968
|
|
Sandi Patty
|
|
Deborah Sasson
|
|
Regis Philbin, 2005
|
|
The Raymond Lefèvre Orchestra
|
|
John Schneider
|
|
Wilson Pickett, 1987
|
|
Jim Reeves, 1963
|
|
The Plantation Orchestra
|
|
Marilyn Scott
|
|
Relient K, 2008
|
|
Reverend Horton Heat, 2005
|
|
The Platters
|
|
Martin Sexton, 2005
|
|
Ricky Van Shelton
|
|
Vonda Shepard, 2000
|
|
Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, 1963
|
|
Supremes
|
|
Kiri Te Kanawa, 1984
|
|
Jerry Vale
|
|
Billy Vaughn
|
|
Roch Voisine
|
|
Jon Weber, It's Never Quite the Same, Mood Records, MD-1111, 1998
|
|
Lawrence Welk and his Orchestra
|
|
Andy Williams
|
|
Boxcar Willie, 1996
|
|
CeCe Winans
|
|
Stevie Wonder
|
|
| Listen |
|
|
|
| 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.
|
|
| WRITTEN BY RAY EVANS & JAY LIVINGSTON |
| COPYRIGHT 1950 |
| 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) |
|
