The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Lucky To Be Me

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 27, 2024, is “Lucky To Be Me.”

About This Song

“Lucky To Be Me” was written by Leonard Bernstein, with lyrics by Adolph Green and Betty Comden, for the 1944 musical On The Town, where it was introduced by John Battles. This song (as were most of the songs from the original score) was cut from the 1949 film version.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “Lucky To Be Me” in September 1976 for their second album, Together Again, released in 1977.

“Lucky To Be Me,” as well as Together Again, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Make Someone Happy

The song of the day for Sunday, July 7, 2024, is “Make Someone Happy.”

About This Song

“Make Someone Happy” was written by Jule Styne, Betty Comden, and Adolph Green for the 1960 musical Do, Re, Mi. The musical concerns a guy, a bit of a loser and a con, who goes into the jukebox business with some gangster pals. ”Make Someone Happy” was introduced by John Reardon and Nancy Dussault.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “Make Someone Happy” in September 1976 for their second album, Together Again, released in 1977.

“Make Someone Happy,” as well as Together Again, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: You Must Believe In Spring

The song of the day for Thursday, June 20, 2024, is “You Must Believe In Spring.”

About This Song

“You Must Believe In Spring” was composed by Michel Legrand, with lyrics by Jacques Demy, for the 1967 French film Les Demoiselles de Rochefort, which starred Catherine Deneuve. Alan and Marilyn Bergman wrote the English lyrics. “You Must Believe In Spring” has been widely recorded by artists including Sylvia Syms, Barbra Streisand, and Bill Evans, in a posthumous release of an album with the same name, featuring sessions with Eddie Gomez and Eliot Zigmund.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “You Must Believe In Spring” in September 1976 for their second album, Together Again, released in 1977.

“You Must Believe In Spring,” as well as Together Again, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Dream Dancing

The song of the day for Wednesday, May 29, 2024, is “Dream Dancing.”

About This Song

“Dream Dancing” was written by Cole Porter for the 1941 movie You’ll Never Get Rich, though it was introduced only in its instrumental form. The first recording of the song, with lyrics) was made the same yearby Fred Astaire in the same year and The Delta Rhythm Boys. Other recordings include those by Ella Fitzgerald, Zoot Zims with Jimmy Rowles, and Mel Tormé.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “Dream Dancing” in September 1976. This song was not included on the original LP release of Together Again but was included on the 1999 Rhino CD release.

“Dream Dancing,” as well as Together Again, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: You Must Believe In Spring

The song of the day for Monday, January 15, 2024, is “You Must Believe In Spring.”

About This Song

“You Must Believe In Spring” was written for the 1967 film Les Demoiselles de Rochefort by Michel Legrand, with the original French lyrics by Jacques Demy; the English lyrics were written by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. The song has been widely recorded by artists including Sylvia Syms, Barbra Streisand, and Bill Evans, in a posthumous release of an album with the same name, featuring sessions with Eddie Gomez and Eliot Zigmund.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “You Must Believe In Spring” in September 1976 for their second album, Together Again.

“You Must Believe In Spring,” as well as Together Again, is available on Apple Music.

I found this clip from Les Demoiselles de Rochefort where today’s song (“La Chanson de Maxence”) is sung. Click here to view the clip on YouTube.

I also found this recording of Tony Bennett singing today’s song live, with Michel Legrand on piano and with John Williams conducting.