Released October 1950 (1950-10) | Genre Christmas | |
Writer(s) Jay Livingston, Ray Evans | ||
"Silver Bells" is a popular Christmas song, composed by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans.
Contents
"Silver Bells" was first performed by Bob Hope and Marilyn Maxwell in the motion picture The Lemon Drop Kid, filmed in July–August 1950 and released in March 1951. The first recorded version was by Bing Crosby and Carol Richards with John Scott Trotter and His Orchestra on September 8, 1950 which was released by Decca Records in October 1950. After the Crosby and Richards recording became popular, Hope and Maxwell were called back in late 1950 to refilm a more elaborate production of the song.
History
"Silver Bells" started out as the questionable "Tinkle Bells." Said Ray Evans, "We never thought that tinkle had a double meaning until Jay went home and his first wife said, 'Are you out of your mind? Do you know what the word tinkle is?'" The word is slang for urination.
This song's inspiration has conflicting reports. Several periodicals and interviews cite the writer Jay Livingston stating that the song's inspiration came from the bells used by sidewalk Santa Clauses and Salvation Army solicitors on New York City street corners. However, in an interview with NPR co-writer Ray Evans said that the song was inspired by a bell that sat on an office desk shared by Livingston and himself.
The song charted in the United Kingdom 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.
In 2011, Deana Martin recorded "Silver Bells" on her studio album, White Christmas, released by Big Fish Records.
Cover versions
(in medley with "Winter Wonderland" & "White Christmas")
(as "Platinum Bells", with modified lyrics and an R&B instrumental track produced by Damon Elliott)