Walter Sommer Christmas Silver Bells

The song “Silver Bells” is a beloved Christmas classic written by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans in 1950. Originally titled “Tinkle Bells,” the song’s name was quickly changed after Livingston’s wife pointed out that “tinkle” had an unfortunate connotation.

The song was first performed by William Frawley (better known as Fred Mertz from I Love Lucy) on the set of the film The Lemon Drop Kid, but it gained fame through a performance by Bob Hope and Marilyn Maxwell in the same film, released in 1951.

“Silver Bells” was inspired by the bustling holiday scenes in cities, particularly the sounds of Salvation Army bell ringers on street corners. Its vivid imagery captures the essence of an urban Christmas with lyrics like “city sidewalks, busy sidewalks, dressed in holiday style.”