In 2008, Australian singer, song writer, and record producer, Gabriella Cilmi, released a remake of the holiday tune Warm This Winter. The song was originally released in 1962, by American singer Connie Francis, under the title, I’m Gonna Be Warm This Winter.¹
Warm This Winter was a commercial success for both artists, although the release and marketing of the 2 versions has been vastly different.
While Francis’ version was released the typical way, Cilmi’s version was released exclusively as a digital download track. Since its release it has been used in various ad campaigns, beginning in 2008 with The Co-operative Food—who originally hired Cilmi to remake the song in the first place.² This year it is being used in Canada for the Virgin Mobile holiday ads.
Gabriella Cilmi’s version of Warm This Winter stays quite true to the original. Even the baritone sax lines and solo are kept pretty much as they were in the Connie Francis version.
So here for your holiday listening pleasure is Warm This Winter. I hope you enjoy.
BTW, does anyone else notice the strong vocal similarities between Gabriella Cilmi and Amy Winehouse? The first time I heard the song in the Virgin Mobile ad, I was trying to remember if Winehouse ever did this holiday song.
When I started to research the tune, and Cilmi’s name came up, I was amazed. I think this young woman is someone to keep an eye on. It will be interesting to see what she does in the jazz arena.
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