The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Sometimes I’m Happy

The song of the day for Tuesday, April 13, 2021, is “Sometimes I’m Happy.”

About This Song

“Sometimes I’m Happy” was written by Vincent Youmans, with lyrics by Leo Robin, Clifford Grey, and Irving Caesar, for the 1927 musical Hit The Deck. It found early favor as a popular song with numerous recordings in 1927. It has also proven a durable standard, with recordings by Tony Bennett, Dave Brubeck and Paul Desmond, Betty Carter, Bing Crosby, and Billie Holiday, among many others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Sometimes I’m Happy” in 1962 for the album On The Glory Road. The album was ready to be released when Columbia cancelled the album. Thankfully, it was included in the 2011 Complete Collection box set.

Sometimes I’m Happy

Listen to Sometimes I’m Happy on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1962.

“Sometimes I’m Happy,” as well as On The Glory Road, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I’ve Got Just About Everything

The song of the day for Monday, April 12, 2021, is “I’ve Got Just About Everything.”

About This Song

Written by the marvelous jazz pianist and composer Bob Dorough, “I’ve Got Just About Everything” is a true joy to listen to. In his liner notes for Forty/Fifty Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett, Bennett says that “this one explains how a singer feels when he sings a song everyone likes.” This song has been recorded by composer Dorough, Ann Hampton Calloway, and even Tuck and Patti.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’ve Got Just About Everything” in 1964 for his album When Lights Are Low, featuring a Ralph Sharon arrangement. The Ralph Sharon Trio backs Bennett on this album, with Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Billy Exiner on drums. Gaylord’s bass is especially good on this cut.

I’ve Got Just About Everything

Listen to I’ve Got Just About Everything on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1964.

“I’ve Got Just About Everything,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: It Never Was You

The song of the day for Sunday, April 11, 2021, is “It Never Was You.”

About This Song

“It Never Was You” was written by Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson for the 1938 Broadway musical Knickerbocker Holiday, the score of which also included “September Song.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded It Never Was You” in 1961 for the album My Heart Sings. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement.

It Never Was You

Listen to It Never Was You on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1961.

“It Never Was You,” as well as My Heart Sings, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: By Myself

The song of the day for Saturday, April 10, 2021, is “By Myself.”

About This Song

“By Myself” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dieta for the 1937 musical Between the Devil, where it was introduced by Jack Buchanan. Another great Schwartz-Dietz song from Between the Devil was “I See Your Face Before Me.” “By Myself” was used in the 1953 Fred Astaire film, The Band Wagon.

About These Versions

Earlier in the week, I fell down the YouTube rabbit hole watching Judy Garland videos and came across one I not seen before: “By Myself.” I then remembered that Tony Bennett had also recorded the song and thought that a Bennett recording with the Garland video would make for a nice post.

When it came time to write this post, I couldn’t decide between which of the two versions Bennett had recorded and so decided to use them both. The first was recorded in 1950 and the second in 1993.

The 1959 version is from Hometown, My Town and was arranged by Ralph Burns.

By Myself

Listen to By Myself on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1959.

The 1993 version from Steppin’ Out was arranged by Bennett and Ralph Sharon.

By Myself

Listen to By Myself on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1993.

And finally, Judy Garland, from her television show in 1964. Her exit at the end of the song is legendary.

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Song of the Day: Taking a Chance on Love

The song of the day for Friday, April 9, 2021, is “Taking a Chance on Love.”

About This Song

“Taking a Chance on Love” was written by Vernon Duke, John La Touche, and Ted Fetter for the 1940 musical Cabin in the Sky, where it was introduced by the great Ethel Waters and Dooley Wilson. The song works well for both jazz singers and instrumentalists, with significant recordings by Dave Brubeck, Tony Bennett, Judy Garland, and Dizzy Gillespie.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Taking a Chance on Love” in 1958 with Count Basie and His Orchestra for the album In Person!, released in 1959.

Taking A Chance On Love

Listen to Taking A Chance On Love on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1959.

“Taking a Chance on Love,” as well as In Person!, is available from Apple Music.

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