Submitted
This season, we’re sharing a very special piece of musical history preserved in the Songbook Library & Archives: a test recording of “The Snowman” from Bing Crosby & Sons’ A Crosby Christmas (1950).
In this audio clip, stand-ins for the voices of Bing Crosby and his sons can be heard, offering a fascinating glimpse into the early stages of the song’s development before the final recording came to life. Found in the Johnny Burke collection, this rare recording showcases the brilliance of Burke and Jimmy Van Heusen, whose partnership brought timeless hits to the Great American Songbook.
The audio has been carefully digitized as part of our mission to preserve and share the timeless treasures of American music. Test recordings like this offer a glimpse into the creative process – a tradition that shaped the music we love and continues to inspire musicians today.
Listen on Spotify to enjoy the fully realized final version, capturing the magic of Bing Crosby’s performance and the seamless artistry of the songwriting duo of Burke and Van Heusen.
We hope this bit of musical magic adds a little sparkle to your holiday season!
Warm wishes,
The Great American Songbook Foundation Team