The Year of Tony Bennett

Mitch customarily reserved Monday afternoons to audition new material, and songwriters and demo singers lined up the entire length of the hall outside Mitch’s office. When songwriter Bernie Wayne got his chance to play “Blue Velvet” for Mitch, he got as far as the first line, “She wore blue velvet…” when Mitch interrupted and said, “How about Tony Bennett?” Bernie said, “Don’t you want to hear the rest of the song?” and Mitch answered, “Quit while you’re ahead!”

Tony Bennett

Song of the Day: Blue Velvet

The song of the day for Tuesday, May 24, 2022, is “Blue Velvet.” About This Song “Blue Velvet” was written in 1950 by Bernie Wayne and Lee Morris. Tony Bennett’s 1951 recording of “Blue Velvet” was the first recording of the song and was one of his early hits for Columbia. About This Version Tony […]

Song of the Day: Cold, Cold Heart

The song of the day for Monday, May 23, 2022, is “Cold, Cold Heart.” About This Song “Cold, Cold Heart” was written in 1950 by country/western singer-songwriter Hank Aaron. About This Version Tony Bennett, at the insistence of his producer Mitch Miller, recorded “Cold, Cold Heart” on May 31, 1951, featuring an arrangement by Percy […]

Song of the Day: Because of You

The song of the day for Saturday, May 21, 2022, is “Because of You.” About This Song “Because of You” was written in 1940 by Arthur Hammerstein and Dudley Wilkinson. About This Version Tony Bennett recorded “Because of You” on April 4, 1951. It was arranged by Percy Faith. “Because of You,” as well as […]

Song of the Day: Don’t Cry Baby

The song of the day for Friday, May 20, 2022, is “Don’t Cry Baby.” About This Song “Don’t Cry Baby” was written in 1929 by James P. Johnson, Saul Bernie, and Stella Unger. Jimmy Johnson was a composer and pianist who, along with Jelly Roll Morton, came into prominence in the era between ragtime and […]