<Tr> <Th> Songwriter (s) </Th> <Td> Jay Livingston, Ray Evans </Td> </Tr> <P> "Silver Bells" is a popular Christmas song, composed by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans . </P> <P> "Silver Bells" was first performed by Bob Hope and Marilyn Maxwell in the motion picture The Lemon Drop Kid, filmed in July--August 1950 and released in March 1951 . The first recorded version was by Bing Crosby and Carol Richards on September 8, 1950 with John Scott Trotter and his Orchestra and the Lee Gordon Singers which was released by Decca Records in October 1950 . After the Crosby and Richards recording became popular, Hope and Maxwell were called back in late 1950 to refilm a more elaborate production of the song . </P> <P> "Silver Bells" started out as the questionable "Tinkle Bells ." Said Ray Evans, "We never thought that tinkle had a double meaning until Jay went home and his first wife said,' Are you out of your mind? Do you know what the word tinkle is?"' The word is slang for urination . </P>

Who sings with bing crosby on silver bells