Bing's chart-topping recording of White Christmas in 1942 gave birth to the modern Christmas pop music phenomenon. His follow-up Christmas hit in 1943, "I'll Be Home for Christmas," sealed Bing's fate as the premier Christmas crooner.
The authors of "Home for Christmas" set out to duplicate the nostalgic ambiance of "White Christmas" and chose Bing to be the song's vocal interpreter, sending him a demo copy. Bing recognized the importance of the song and quickly recorded it.
"I'll Be Home For Christmas" proves again that songs need not be complex to stir the affects of the public. This little gem, perfectly suited for Crosby's rolling baritone, is Bing's third most successful Christmas song, behind "White Christmas" and "Silent Night." He recorded it Oct. 4, 1943, backed by the John Scott Trotter Orchestra, and within two months the song was on the charts, where it stayed for 7 weeks, eclipsing "White Christmas." The recording hit the charts again in December 1944 and earned Bing his fifth gold record.
I'll be home for Christmas
You can plan on me
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents on the tree
Christmas Eve will find me
Where the lovelight gleams
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams
I'll be home for Christmas
You can plan on me
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents on the tree
Christmas Eve will find me
Where the lovelight gleams
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams