Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep)
"Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep)"is apopularsongwritten byIrving Berlinand used in the 1954 filmWhite Christmas.It is commonly performed as aChristmas song,although the lyrics make no reference to the December holiday.[1]The best-known recordings were made byRosemary ClooneyandBing Crosby—who both appeared in the film.
The versions which reached the top of theBillboardcharts were by Eddie Fisher (peaked at No. 5), Bing Crosby (No. 27) and Rosemary Clooney (No. 27).[2]In the UK, Crosby's version reached the No. 11 spot.[3]
History[edit]
The song arose from a personal experience of Berlin when his doctor suggested he try "counting his blessings" as a way to deal with insomnia brought on by stress. In a letter to 20th Century Fox executiveJoseph Schenck,Berlin wrote:
"I’m enclosing a lyric of a song I finished here and which I am going to publish immediately…You have always said that I commercial my emotions and many times you were wrong, but this particular song is based on what really happened.... The story is in its verse, which I don't think I'll publish. As I say in the lyrics, sometime ago, after the worst kind of a sleepless night, my doctor came to see me and after a lot of self-pity, belly-aching and complaining about my insomnia, he looked at me and said" speaking of doing something about your insomnia, did you ever try counting your blessings? "[4]
Berlin then incorporated the song to the filmWhite Christmasto advance the relationship between the characters played byBing CrosbyandRosemary Clooney.[5]The sentimental theme reminds listeners to remember how much they are blessed instead of fretting about short-term problems.
It was nominated for an Academy Award as "Best Song"but was defeated by"Three Coins in the Fountain"from thefilm of the same namewritten byJule Styneand lyricistSammy Cahn.[6]It was performed on the 1955Academy Awardstelecast by vocalistPeggy King.[7]
Other recordings[edit]
- Eddie Fisher(1954)[8]
- Sonny Rollinson hisSonny Rollins Plus 4(1956)[9]
- Andy Williamson hisThe Village of St. Bernadette(1960)[10]
- TheRay Conniff Singers,as part of a medley, for theirWe Wish You a Merry Christmas(1962)[11]
- Jimmy Duranteon hisSeptember Song(1963)[12]
- Tammy Wynetteon herInspiration(1969)[13]
References[edit]
- ^Tyler, Don (2008).Music of the Postwar Era.Greenwood Press.p. 125.ISBN9780313341915.RetrievedDecember 23,2013.
- ^Whitburn, Joel (1986).Pop Memories 1890-1954.Wisconsin, USA: Record Research Inc.ISBN0-89820-083-0.
- ^British Hit Singles & Albums(18th ed.). Guinness World Records Ltd. 2004.ISBN1-904994-00-8.
- ^The Irving Berlin Reader,(Benjamin Sears, ed.), Oxford University Press, 2012ISBN978-0195383744
- ^"Old Hollywood Songs: Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep)", Old Hollywood Films, November 24, 2015
- ^Reid, John Howard (2006).Hollywood Movie Musicals.p. 219.ISBN9781411697621.RetrievedDecember 23,2013.
- ^Hawn, Jack (October 19, 1985)."Joining Academy Tribute To Kern: Peggy King Sets The Record Straight".Los Angeles Times.
- ^"discogs".discogs.RetrievedMay 14,2024.
- ^"allmusic".allmusic.RetrievedMay 15,2024.
- ^"allmusic".allmusic.RetrievedMay 15,2024.
- ^"discogs".discogs.RetrievedMay 14,2024.
- ^"allmusic".allmusic.RetrievedMay 15,2024.
- ^"allmusic".allmusic.RetrievedMay 15,2024.
External links[edit]
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