Swingin' Christmas

Download Subtitles

Transcript

0:00:02 > 0:00:04MUSIC: "Let's Face The Music And Dance"

0:01:16 > 0:01:18CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

0:01:25 > 0:01:29Nelson Riddle's arrangement of an Irving Berlin classic

0:01:29 > 0:01:31to whet your appetite for what is to come.

0:01:31 > 0:01:35This is a Christmas celebration of the great composers of popular music

0:01:35 > 0:01:38played by an orchestra led by John Wilson, an orchestra

0:01:38 > 0:01:40best described as sensational.

0:01:40 > 0:01:43Tonight the musicians will be playing my kind of music.

0:01:43 > 0:01:47I grew up listening to it, but nowadays I've got a hard time finding it.

0:01:47 > 0:01:50We're going to put that right tonight with a concert celebrating

0:01:50 > 0:01:53a catalogue of music defined as the Great American Songbook.

0:01:53 > 0:01:57The trouble with that title is it ignores the Great British Songbook,

0:01:57 > 0:01:59which contains some gems.

0:01:59 > 0:02:02Here's one of them written by Noel Coward.

0:02:02 > 0:02:05MUSIC: "Mad About The Boy"

0:05:05 > 0:05:08CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

0:05:19 > 0:05:22So, John, you're a classically trained musician.

0:05:22 > 0:05:24How did you become involved with this music?

0:05:24 > 0:05:27I sort of grew up listening to this music. My parents listened to it,

0:05:27 > 0:05:30it was on the television, Radio 2 with Alan Dell,

0:05:30 > 0:05:34those sorts of broadcasters, so it's always been around me.

0:05:34 > 0:05:37But what does it mean to you? What's its appeal?

0:05:37 > 0:05:40I think it has an immediate appeal, this music. The tunes are good,

0:05:40 > 0:05:43it's wonderfully orchestrated, it's very ear-catching.

0:05:43 > 0:05:47It enters the ear with facility and leaves it with difficulty,

0:05:47 > 0:05:48as Sir Thomas Beecham said.

0:05:48 > 0:05:52And what about the choice of music, did you find it difficult to do

0:05:52 > 0:05:54a programme like tonight?

0:05:54 > 0:05:57Oh, yes, definitely. An embarrassment of riches.

0:05:57 > 0:06:00There's so much good stuff. I mean, we could 12 of these concerts

0:06:00 > 0:06:03in a row and still not get anywhere near exhausted.

0:06:03 > 0:06:05It's interesting you say that, because I would argue

0:06:05 > 0:06:09I love this kind of music, I'm delighted that you've been responsible

0:06:09 > 0:06:12for a revival of it, but the fact remains, it's very difficult music

0:06:12 > 0:06:14to find in television or radio.

0:06:14 > 0:06:16Does that meant to say that it's disappearing?

0:06:16 > 0:06:22I think it's sort of dipped out of fashion over the past 20 or 30 years,

0:06:22 > 0:06:24and the music of a younger generation takes over.

0:06:24 > 0:06:28But once enough time has passed, people start to re-evaluate.

0:06:28 > 0:06:31Most of this music is 80 or 90 years old now and it's as fresh as paint,

0:06:31 > 0:06:35so to a new generation, most of us in the orchestra are under 40,

0:06:35 > 0:06:39some of them aren't, and we're discovering it for the first time.

0:06:39 > 0:06:43So when you go out and do the tours that you do, do you find that

0:06:43 > 0:06:46there's a younger generation coming and enjoying the music?

0:06:46 > 0:06:48- Getting younger.- Yeah.

0:06:48 > 0:06:51OK. So back to your orchestra for some more music.

0:06:51 > 0:06:55Next a song written by Cole Porter, one of his finest,

0:06:55 > 0:06:58demonstrating his talent as a composer and a lyricist.

0:06:58 > 0:07:01Someone once described him as being both Gilbert and Sullivan.

0:07:01 > 0:07:05Our singer is also an actress who whose career embraces stage, screen,

0:07:05 > 0:07:09cabaret and musical theatre, radio and telly. In other words,

0:07:09 > 0:07:12she's in demand. Now she's about to demonstrate why.

0:07:12 > 0:07:14Welcome Anna-Jane Casey.

0:07:14 > 0:07:16CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

0:07:30 > 0:07:33# It was just

0:07:33 > 0:07:38# One of those things

0:07:38 > 0:07:45# Just one of those crazy flings

0:07:45 > 0:07:51# One of those bells that now and then rings

0:07:51 > 0:07:56# Just one of those things

0:07:56 > 0:08:04# It was just one of those nights

0:08:04 > 0:08:11# Just one of those fabulous flights

0:08:11 > 0:08:17# A trip to the moon on gossamer wings

0:08:17 > 0:08:22# Just one of those things

0:08:22 > 0:08:26# If we'd thought a bit

0:08:26 > 0:08:29# Of the end of it

0:08:29 > 0:08:36# When we started painting the town

0:08:36 > 0:08:42# We'd have been aware that our love affair

0:08:42 > 0:08:45# Was too hot

0:08:45 > 0:08:49# Not to cool down

0:08:49 > 0:08:56# So goodbye, my dear, and amen

0:08:56 > 0:09:02# Here's hopin' we meet now and then

0:09:02 > 0:09:05# It was great fun

0:09:05 > 0:09:12# But it was just one of those things

0:09:42 > 0:09:45# If we'd thought a bit

0:09:45 > 0:09:49# Of the end of it

0:09:49 > 0:09:55# When we started painting the town

0:09:55 > 0:10:02# We'd have been aware that our love affair

0:10:02 > 0:10:05# It was too hot

0:10:05 > 0:10:09# Mmm, to hot to cool down

0:10:09 > 0:10:16# So goodbye, my dear, and amen

0:10:16 > 0:10:22# Here's hopin' we meet now and then

0:10:22 > 0:10:25# It was great fun

0:10:25 > 0:10:30# It was just one of those

0:10:30 > 0:10:36# Things... Yeah! #

0:10:49 > 0:10:51CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

0:10:58 > 0:11:02Johnny Mercer was one of the great lyricists.

0:11:02 > 0:11:06Alan Jay Lerner, who was allowed an opinion on this subject, said he was the best,

0:11:06 > 0:11:10but maybe one of his best ideas was founding Capitol Records

0:11:10 > 0:11:14in Hollywood in the 1940s. His ambition was to promote the music

0:11:14 > 0:11:18he loved by recording the cream. His list of artists included

0:11:18 > 0:11:21three of the all-time greats - Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland

0:11:21 > 0:11:24and Nat King Cole, and this orchestral medley

0:11:24 > 0:11:26is a tribute to them and the company

0:11:26 > 0:11:29which did so much to promote the very best.

0:11:52 > 0:11:56MUSIC: SWING MEDLEY

0:14:59 > 0:15:03MUSIC: "The Trolley Song"

0:15:35 > 0:15:38MUSIC: "Come Fly With Me"

0:16:12 > 0:16:16MUSIC: "Nature Boy"

0:18:22 > 0:18:25MUSIC: "All The Way"

0:19:42 > 0:19:44CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

0:20:01 > 0:20:05Memory after memory from that wonderful medley.

0:20:05 > 0:20:08You don't so much listen to that music, you kind of embrace it.

0:20:08 > 0:20:12Those of us who believe that the compositions we play tonight

0:20:12 > 0:20:15represent a volume of work as important and lasting

0:20:15 > 0:20:18as any in all of music, were delighted when it was featured

0:20:18 > 0:20:21in two outstanding BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall.

0:20:21 > 0:20:26Our next guest tonight is a singer who performed at the Prom in 2009

0:20:26 > 0:20:29featuring MGM musicals. Apart from being a singer,

0:20:29 > 0:20:33he's a writer, producer, actor and director best known for creating

0:20:33 > 0:20:37sitcoms like Family Guy, American Dad and The Cleveland Show.

0:20:37 > 0:20:40Here with a Nelson Riddle arrangement of song written

0:20:40 > 0:20:44by Jimmy Van Heusen and Sammy Cahn, please welcome Seth MacFarlane.

0:20:44 > 0:20:47CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

0:20:56 > 0:21:00# How lucky can one guy be?

0:21:00 > 0:21:03# I kissed her and she kissed me

0:21:03 > 0:21:09# Like a fella once said Ain't that a kick in the head?

0:21:10 > 0:21:14# The room was completely black

0:21:14 > 0:21:18# I hugged her and she hugged back

0:21:18 > 0:21:24# Like the sailor said, quote Ain't that hole in the boat?

0:21:24 > 0:21:31# My head keeps spinning I go to sleep and keep grinning

0:21:31 > 0:21:35# If this is just the beginning

0:21:35 > 0:21:40# My life is going to be beautiful

0:21:40 > 0:21:43# I've sunshine enough to spread

0:21:43 > 0:21:47# Oh, it's just like the fella said

0:21:47 > 0:21:54# Tell me quick Ain't that a kick in the head?

0:22:00 > 0:22:03# Oh, like the fella once said

0:22:03 > 0:22:06# Ain't that a kick in the head?

0:22:14 > 0:22:18# And like that sailor said, quote

0:22:18 > 0:22:21# Ain't that a hole in the boat?

0:22:22 > 0:22:25# My head keeps on spinning

0:22:25 > 0:22:28# I go to sleep and keep grinning

0:22:28 > 0:22:33# If this is just the beginning

0:22:33 > 0:22:37# My life is going to be beautiful

0:22:37 > 0:22:41# She's telling me we'll be wed

0:22:41 > 0:22:44# Oh, she's picked out a king-sized bed

0:22:44 > 0:22:50# I couldn't feel any better or I'd be sick

0:22:51 > 0:22:55# Oh, tell me quick

0:22:55 > 0:22:58# Oh, ain't love a kick

0:22:58 > 0:23:00# Oh, tell me quick

0:23:00 > 0:23:07# Ain't love a kick in the head? #

0:23:10 > 0:23:12CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

0:23:38 > 0:23:42# That certain night

0:23:42 > 0:23:45# The night we met

0:23:45 > 0:23:51# There was magic abroad in the air

0:23:51 > 0:23:57# There were angels dining at the Ritz

0:23:57 > 0:24:01# And a nightingale sang

0:24:01 > 0:24:04# In Berkeley Square

0:24:09 > 0:24:13# I may be right

0:24:13 > 0:24:16# I may be wrong

0:24:16 > 0:24:21# But I'm perfectly willing to swear

0:24:21 > 0:24:28# That when you turned and smiled at me

0:24:28 > 0:24:32# A nightingale sang

0:24:32 > 0:24:36# In Berkeley Square

0:24:40 > 0:24:47# The moon that lingered over London town

0:24:47 > 0:24:50# Poor puzzled moon

0:24:50 > 0:24:52# He wore a frown

0:24:52 > 0:24:59# How could he know we two were so in love?

0:24:59 > 0:25:04# The whole darn world seemed upside down

0:25:04 > 0:25:11# The streets of town were paved with stars

0:25:11 > 0:25:16# It was such a romantic affair

0:25:16 > 0:25:23# And as we kissed and said good night

0:25:23 > 0:25:30# A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square

0:26:00 > 0:26:06# The streets of town were paved with stars

0:26:06 > 0:26:12# It was such a romantic affair

0:26:12 > 0:26:19# And as we kissed and said good night

0:26:19 > 0:26:26# A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square

0:26:28 > 0:26:33# I know cos I was there

0:26:35 > 0:26:43# That night in Berkeley Square. #

0:27:00 > 0:27:06APPLAUSE

0:27:09 > 0:27:14Lovely arrangement by Robert Farnon, of course, great British arranger.

0:27:14 > 0:27:16He composed it. Who you knew!

0:27:16 > 0:27:19I did. I knew him very well, the last ten years of his life.

0:27:19 > 0:27:23I was his copyist, assistant proofreader.

0:27:23 > 0:27:26I learned a lot from working for him.

0:27:26 > 0:27:28- What did you learn? - Studying those scores, I mean,

0:27:28 > 0:27:33they sound wonderfully rich and elaborate, but on the page, there's not very much.

0:27:33 > 0:27:35- He was a master of what to leave out.- Yes.

0:27:35 > 0:27:39What about this band of yours? When did you first get the idea?

0:27:39 > 0:27:42I mean, this is a symphony orchestra with a dance band in the middle,

0:27:42 > 0:27:45- basically, isn't it?- It is. Yeah. - Wrapped round.- It's just that.

0:27:45 > 0:27:48- So when did you get the idea, and why?- '93, '94,

0:27:48 > 0:27:51I was playing the piano in the Grosvenor House Hotel,

0:27:51 > 0:27:53and I met Matt Skelton, the drummer,

0:27:53 > 0:27:58and we became friends, and he was working with a singer,

0:27:58 > 0:28:02and he said, "Why don't you come and add some string parts

0:28:02 > 0:28:04"to this rhythm section we've got?"

0:28:04 > 0:28:05So I did, and it grew from that.

0:28:05 > 0:28:07It started as a 20-piece thing,

0:28:07 > 0:28:11and it was 96 last year at the Proms.

0:28:11 > 0:28:12It's growing every year!

0:28:12 > 0:28:15And when you did it, was that in your mind, that eventually

0:28:15 > 0:28:18- you'd have a promenade concert maybe?- Oh, that was a dream!

0:28:18 > 0:28:21And it took us five years to get one.

0:28:21 > 0:28:23But it was a thrill to get the MGM prom.

0:28:23 > 0:28:26- We had an enormous reaction from the public.- Quite rightly so.

0:28:26 > 0:28:30It was wonderful. A proper celebration of this kind of music.

0:28:30 > 0:28:34And again, bringing in the new audience, which we were talking about earlier.

0:28:34 > 0:28:36Let's talk about the band itself.

0:28:36 > 0:28:39Because you hand-choose the people who play in the orchestra, don't you?

0:28:39 > 0:28:43I do. I've spent the past decade and a half conducting all the orchestras

0:28:43 > 0:28:45in the UK, and made lots of friends,

0:28:45 > 0:28:49and this orchestra basically consists of all of those

0:28:49 > 0:28:52who really enjoy playing their instruments,

0:28:52 > 0:28:54and love this sort of music,

0:28:54 > 0:28:56and many of them are specialists in this genre.

0:28:56 > 0:28:59The brass players are all dance band players,

0:28:59 > 0:29:01and the rhythm section's a sort of specialist outfit.

0:29:01 > 0:29:06And it stays pretty much the same from concert to concert.

0:29:06 > 0:29:08They almost have a reasonable time when they come in!

0:29:08 > 0:29:12Let's pick out a couple of soloists now, cos we're going to feature two soloists.

0:29:12 > 0:29:15- First of all, clarinet, a tribute to Artie Shaw.- Yep. Mark Crooks.

0:29:15 > 0:29:17Who is over there. Evening, Mark.

0:29:17 > 0:29:20And then the principal trumpet player.

0:29:20 > 0:29:23- Yeah.- Who is also Professor of Music at the Royal College of Music.

0:29:23 > 0:29:26Yes, a very distinguished person, he's a professor of trumpet

0:29:26 > 0:29:28at the Royal College of Music.

0:29:28 > 0:29:31- And he's got a big, big sound, hasn't he?- Absolutely.

0:29:31 > 0:29:35You need a special person playing lead trumpet in an orchestra,

0:29:35 > 0:29:38they have to have heart and soul and generosity,

0:29:38 > 0:29:40and Mike Lovatt has all of those things.

0:29:40 > 0:29:43He's the single personality of this orchestra.

0:29:43 > 0:29:46- Is that important? - Absolutely crucial.

0:29:46 > 0:29:47It is interesting too,

0:29:47 > 0:29:50because we're going to hear a big fat sound later on,

0:29:50 > 0:29:52but for this session, he's going to play muted.

0:29:52 > 0:29:55- Very, very soft.- A lovely, jolly man.- Yeah, absolutely.

0:29:55 > 0:29:56OK. There you go, Maestro.

0:29:56 > 0:30:00So, our two featured soloists are on trumpet, Mike Lovatt, as we said,

0:30:00 > 0:30:02but first, Mark Crooks, on clarinet,

0:30:02 > 0:30:07- with George Gershwin's classic composition, Lady Be Good. - 1, 2, 1, 2, 3...

0:33:24 > 0:33:27APPLAUSE

0:37:49 > 0:37:53APPLAUSE

0:38:02 > 0:38:05That was Mike Lovatt, the trumpet soloist,

0:38:05 > 0:38:07and The Shadow Of Your Smile, by Johnny Mandel.

0:38:07 > 0:38:10Now, let's bring together our two singers

0:38:10 > 0:38:13and, in doing so, acknowledge the fact that is it Christmas time,

0:38:13 > 0:38:16full of winter wonderlands, chestnuts roasting on an open fire,

0:38:16 > 0:38:18and Mummy kissing Santa Claus.

0:38:18 > 0:38:22Have you ever noticed songwriters rarely mention the discomforts of the season?

0:38:22 > 0:38:24Red noses, burst pipes, and chilblains.

0:38:24 > 0:38:28As Anna-Jane and Seth remind us, Baby, It's Cold Outside!

0:38:38 > 0:38:42- # I really can't stay - But, baby, it's cold outside

0:38:42 > 0:38:46- # I've got to go away - But, baby, it's cold outside

0:38:46 > 0:38:50- # This evening has been... - Been hopin' that you'd drop in

0:38:50 > 0:38:53- # ..so very nice - I'll hold your hands

0:38:53 > 0:38:56- # They're just like ice - My mother will start to worry

0:38:56 > 0:38:59# Beautiful, what's your hurry?

0:38:59 > 0:39:02- # My father will be pacing the floor - Listen to the fireplace roar

0:39:02 > 0:39:05- # Really, I'd better scurry - Beautiful, please don't hurry

0:39:05 > 0:39:09- # Well, maybe just half a drink more - Put some records on while I pour

0:39:09 > 0:39:12- # The neighbours might think - But, baby, it's bad out there

0:39:12 > 0:39:16- # Say, what's in this drink? - No cabs to be had out there

0:39:16 > 0:39:20- # I wish I knew how... - Your eyes are like starlight now

0:39:20 > 0:39:22# ..to break the spell

0:39:22 > 0:39:25# I'll take your hat Your hair looks swell

0:39:25 > 0:39:27# I oughta say, no, no, no, sir

0:39:27 > 0:39:29# Mind if I move in closer?

0:39:29 > 0:39:31# At least I'm gonna say that I tried

0:39:31 > 0:39:33# What's the sense of hurting my pride?

0:39:33 > 0:39:35- # I really can't stay - Baby, don't hold out

0:39:35 > 0:39:39# Ah, but it's cold outside

0:39:47 > 0:39:51- # I simply must go - But, baby, it's cold outside

0:39:51 > 0:39:55- # The answer is- no It's cold outside

0:39:55 > 0:39:58- # The welcome has been... - How lucky that you dropped in

0:39:58 > 0:40:02- # ..so very nice and warm - Look out the window at that star

0:40:02 > 0:40:05# My sister will be suspicious

0:40:05 > 0:40:07# Gosh, your lips look delicious

0:40:07 > 0:40:08# My brother will be there at the door

0:40:08 > 0:40:11# Waves upon a tropical shore

0:40:11 > 0:40:13# My maiden aunt's mind is vicious

0:40:13 > 0:40:16- # Ooh, your lips are delicious - Well, maybe just a cigarette more

0:40:16 > 0:40:18# There was such a blizzard before

0:40:18 > 0:40:21- # I've got to get home - But, baby, you'll freeze out there

0:40:21 > 0:40:25- # Say, lend me a coat - It's up to your knees out there

0:40:25 > 0:40:29- # You've really been grand... - I thrill when you touch my hand

0:40:29 > 0:40:34- # ..but don't you see? - How can you do this thing to me?

0:40:34 > 0:40:38- # There's bound to be talk tomorrow - Think of my lifelong sorrow

0:40:38 > 0:40:40# At least there will be plenty implied

0:40:40 > 0:40:42# If you caught pneumonia and died

0:40:42 > 0:40:44- # I really can't stay - Get over that hold out

0:40:44 > 0:40:51# Ah, but it's cold outside! #

0:40:54 > 0:40:57APPLAUSE

0:41:07 > 0:41:10So, our programme is called Swingin' Christmas,

0:41:10 > 0:41:12which begs the question, just what is swing?

0:41:12 > 0:41:15Well, it's a rhythm, it's a pulse, which can set us all dancing,

0:41:15 > 0:41:17it's sound quite unlike any other,

0:41:17 > 0:41:19which stirs both the soul and the gut,

0:41:19 > 0:41:22there's no definitive explanation for its appeal.

0:41:22 > 0:41:25Louis Armstrong was once asked, what is jazz?

0:41:25 > 0:41:28And he said, if you have to ask, you'll never know the answer.

0:41:28 > 0:41:29Well, it's the same with swing.

0:41:29 > 0:41:33This next medley is a tribute to the great band leaders

0:41:33 > 0:41:35who have so enriched the world of music.

0:41:35 > 0:41:39We celebrate them with a composition they are for ever associated with.

0:41:39 > 0:41:42Duke Ellington, Les Brown, Artie Shaw, Tommy Dorsey,

0:41:42 > 0:41:45Harry James, Glenn Miller, Stan Kenton, Woody Herman,

0:41:45 > 0:41:47they are all there.

0:41:47 > 0:41:49And see how many more you can spot

0:41:49 > 0:41:52in this wondrous arrangement by Andrew Cottee.

0:50:44 > 0:50:47APPLAUSE

0:50:59 > 0:51:02The only sensible reaction to that music is "wow".

0:51:02 > 0:51:06Our special guest is a singer and musician of distinctive style.

0:51:06 > 0:51:09He's at the forefront of a new generation of jazz singers,

0:51:09 > 0:51:12keeping alive the music we celebrate tonight.

0:51:12 > 0:51:15He starts with a number written by Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen.

0:51:15 > 0:51:19I once asked Mr Cahn which came first - the words or the music.

0:51:19 > 0:51:21Mr Cahn replied, "The phone call."

0:51:21 > 0:51:25Now, this song is the perfect example of what he means.

0:51:25 > 0:51:28It's the middle of summer in California. This is the scene -

0:51:28 > 0:51:31a man rings Mr Cahn and he says he wants a Christmas song.

0:51:31 > 0:51:34It's 90 degrees outside. It doesn't matter.

0:51:34 > 0:51:38The phone call is the only inspiration Mr Cahn requires.

0:51:38 > 0:51:41Looking out of his windows, the sun cracking the pavements,

0:51:41 > 0:51:46he writes, "Let It Snow." Welcome, please, Curtis Stigers.

0:51:46 > 0:51:50APPLAUSE

0:51:56 > 0:52:00# Oh, the weather outside is frightful

0:52:00 > 0:52:04# But the fire is so delightful

0:52:04 > 0:52:07# And since we've no place to go

0:52:07 > 0:52:11# Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

0:52:11 > 0:52:15# It doesn't show signs of stopping

0:52:15 > 0:52:18# And we've brought some corn for popping

0:52:18 > 0:52:22# The lights are turned way down low

0:52:22 > 0:52:24# Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

0:52:24 > 0:52:29# When we finally kiss good night

0:52:29 > 0:52:32# How I hate to go out in the storm

0:52:32 > 0:52:36# But if you'll really hold me tight

0:52:36 > 0:52:39# All the way home I'll be warm

0:52:39 > 0:52:43# The fire is slowly dying

0:52:43 > 0:52:46# And, my dear We're still goodbying

0:52:47 > 0:52:49# But as long as you love me so

0:52:49 > 0:52:53# Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

0:53:21 > 0:53:25# When we finally kiss good night

0:53:25 > 0:53:28# How I hate to go back out in the storm

0:53:28 > 0:53:32# But if you'll really hold me tight

0:53:32 > 0:53:37# All the way home I'll be warm

0:53:37 > 0:53:39# The fire is slowly dying

0:53:39 > 0:53:43# And, my dear We're still goodbying

0:53:43 > 0:53:46# But as long as you love me so

0:53:46 > 0:53:50# Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

0:53:53 > 0:53:57# Let it snow!

0:53:57 > 0:54:00# Let it snow!

0:54:00 > 0:54:07# Let it snow! #

0:54:09 > 0:54:11APPLAUSE

0:54:20 > 0:54:25Now, one of the most haunting of Christmas songs is Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,

0:54:25 > 0:54:29introduced, unforgettably, by a young Judy Garland in Meet Me In St Louis.

0:54:29 > 0:54:33That's Anna-Jane's choice of song, but first Seth MacFarlane and Frank Loesser's song

0:54:33 > 0:54:38warning us that even if we survive the excesses of Christmas, there's more to come.

0:54:51 > 0:54:55# When the bells all ring

0:54:55 > 0:54:59# And the horns all blow

0:54:59 > 0:55:07# And the people we know are fondly kissing

0:55:07 > 0:55:10# Will I be with you

0:55:10 > 0:55:17# Or will I be among the missing?

0:55:22 > 0:55:28# Maybe it's much too early in the game

0:55:30 > 0:55:35# But I thought I'd ask you just the same

0:55:35 > 0:55:41# What are you doing New Year's?

0:55:42 > 0:55:50# New Year's Eve

0:55:50 > 0:55:56# Wondering just who'll hold you good and tight

0:55:57 > 0:56:04# When it's exactly 12 o'clock that night

0:56:04 > 0:56:09# Welcoming in the New Year

0:56:12 > 0:56:18# New Year's Eve

0:56:19 > 0:56:26# Maybe I'm crazy to suppose

0:56:26 > 0:56:34# I'd ever be the one you chose

0:56:34 > 0:56:41# Out of the thousand invitations

0:56:41 > 0:56:48# That you receive

0:56:48 > 0:56:55# But in case I stand one little chance

0:56:55 > 0:57:02# Here comes the jackpot question in advance

0:57:02 > 0:57:09# What are you doing New Year's?

0:57:09 > 0:57:15# New Year's Eve

0:57:50 > 0:57:57# But in case I stand one little chance

0:57:57 > 0:58:04# Here comes the jackpot question in advance

0:58:04 > 0:58:09# What are you doing New Year's?

0:58:09 > 0:58:15# New Year's Eve

0:58:18 > 0:58:29# New Year's Eve. #

0:58:51 > 0:58:54APPLAUSE

0:59:26 > 0:59:33# Have yourself a merry little Christmas

0:59:33 > 0:59:39# Let your heart be light

0:59:39 > 0:59:47# Next year all our troubles will be out of sight

0:59:53 > 1:00:01# Have yourself a merry little Christmas

1:00:01 > 1:00:06# Make the Yuletide gay

1:00:06 > 1:00:17# Next year all our troubles will be miles away

1:00:21 > 1:00:27# Once again as in olden days

1:00:27 > 1:00:35# Happy golden days of yore

1:00:35 > 1:00:42# Faithful friends who are dear to us

1:00:42 > 1:00:49# Gather near to us once more

1:00:50 > 1:00:57# Someday soon we all will be together

1:00:57 > 1:01:03# If the Fates allow

1:01:05 > 1:01:17# Until then we'll have to muddle through somehow

1:01:17 > 1:01:23# So have yourself

1:01:23 > 1:01:37# A merry little Christmas now. #

1:01:58 > 1:02:02APPLAUSE

1:02:20 > 1:02:25# I'm dreaming

1:02:25 > 1:02:31# Of a white Christmas

1:02:31 > 1:02:39# Just like the ones I used to know

1:02:41 > 1:02:47# Where the treetops glisten

1:02:47 > 1:02:53# And children listen

1:02:53 > 1:03:01# To hear sleigh bells in the snow

1:03:04 > 1:03:09# I'm dreaming

1:03:09 > 1:03:15# Of a white Christmas

1:03:16 > 1:03:23# With every Christmas card I write

1:03:23 > 1:03:33# May your days be merry and bright

1:03:35 > 1:03:43# And may all your Christmases be white

1:04:01 > 1:04:07# May your days be merry

1:04:07 > 1:04:11# And bright

1:04:11 > 1:04:18# And may all your Christmases

1:04:18 > 1:04:24# Be white

1:04:32 > 1:04:35# I'm dreaming

1:04:35 > 1:04:43# Of a white Christmas

1:04:43 > 1:04:49# Just like the ones I used to know

1:04:51 > 1:04:56# Where the treetops glisten

1:04:56 > 1:05:01# And children listen

1:05:01 > 1:05:09# To hear sleigh bells in the snow

1:05:12 > 1:05:17# I'm dreaming

1:05:17 > 1:05:22# Of a white Christmas

1:05:22 > 1:05:29# With every Christmas card I write

1:05:31 > 1:05:36# May your days be merry

1:05:36 > 1:05:41# And bright

1:05:41 > 1:05:47# And may all your Christmases

1:05:47 > 1:05:50# Be white

1:05:50 > 1:05:57# And may all your Christmases

1:05:57 > 1:06:05# Be white! #

1:06:14 > 1:06:17APPLAUSE

1:06:27 > 1:06:29CHEERING

1:06:42 > 1:06:45We had to do it, didn't we? We just had to.

1:06:45 > 1:06:49That's our Swingin' Christmas, ending with the most recorded song of all time.

1:06:49 > 1:06:52When I interviewed Bing Crosby, and he sang White Christmas,

1:06:52 > 1:06:54I was intrigued that he used Autocue.

1:06:54 > 1:06:57Everyone in the audience knew the words, but the Old Groaner,

1:06:57 > 1:07:00the man who made the song his own, needed a prompt.

1:07:00 > 1:07:04So, if after a few drinks this Christmas, you attempt some of the old songs

1:07:04 > 1:07:06and can't remember the words, don't fret.

1:07:06 > 1:07:09You're in the very best of company.

1:07:09 > 1:07:14All of us here - Seth MacFarlane, Anna-Jane Casey, Curtis Stigers, John Wilson and the orchestra -

1:07:14 > 1:07:19wish you a happy Christmas and a very peaceful New Year. So do I. Good night.

1:07:19 > 1:07:22APPLAUSE

1:07:23 > 1:07:30MUSIC: "White Christmas"