Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep)

"Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep)" is a popular song written by Irving Berlin for the 1954 movie White Christmas. It is commonly performed as a Christmas song, although the lyrics make no reference to the holiday.[1]

History

It was nominated for an Academy Award as "Best Song" but was defeated by "Three Coins in the Fountain" from the movie of the same name written by Jule Styne and lyricist Sammy Cahn.[2] It was performed on the 1955 Academy Awards telecast by vocalist Peggy King.[3]

The best-known recordings were made by Rosemary Clooney and Bing Crosby — who both appeared in the film — as well as separate recordings by Eddie Fisher, Sonny Rollins, Andy Williams, Tammy Wynette, Jimmy Durante, and the Ray Conniff Singers. The versions which reached the Billboard charts were by Eddie Fisher (peaked at #5), Bing Crosby (#27) and Rosemary Clooney (#27).[4] Jazz renditions were cut in 1954 by Gene Ammons and in 1956 by Sonny Rollins and Clifford Brown. More recent recordings include those by Amy Grant, Miki Howard, Jars of Clay, Diana Krall, Barry Manilow, Johnny Mathis, Sandi Patty and José Mari Chan.

References

  1. ↑ Tyler, Don (2008). Music of the Postwar Era. Greenwood Press. p. 125. ISBN 9780313341915. Retrieved 2013-12-23.
  2. ↑ Reid, John Howard (2006). Hollywood Movie Musicals. Books.google.com. p. 219. Retrieved 2013-12-23.
  3. ↑ Hawn, Jack (1985-10-19). "Joining Academy Tribute To Kern : Peggy King Sets The Record Straight". Los Angeles Times.
  4. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (1986). Pop Memories 1890-1954. Wisconsin, USA: Record Research Inc. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Saturday, March 12, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.