The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Rags To Riches

It’s Tony Bennett 1950s Hit Parade Week! And the song of the day for Wednesday, January 9, 2013 is Rags to Riches.

About Rags to Riches

Many readers will remember this song from the opening credits of Martin Scorcese’s Goodfellas, just after Ray Liotta says “As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster.”

The song was written in 1953 by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. Alder and Ross first teamed up in 1950. They had the great fortune to be protégés of noted Broadway composer Frank Loesser. The pair wrote Broadway shows (Pajama Game and Damn Yankees) as well as popular songs during their time together.

Mr. Ross died at the young age of 29 in 1955, ending a partnership that was destined for many more great works. Mr. Adler passed away in June 2012.His obituary can be read at the New York Times.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded Rags to Riches in March 1953; it reached Number One on the Billboard charts that same year. The song has remained a part of Mr. Bennett’s repertoire to this day. It was arranged and conducted by Percy Faith.

Rags to Riches

Listen to Rags to Riches on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2011

Rags to Riches, as well as the full Columbia Singles: Volume 2, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Cold, Cold Heart

Next up in the Tony Bennett 1950s Hit Parade is the song of the day for Tuesday, January 8, 2013: Cold, Cold Heart.

About Cold, Cold Heart

This song was written in 1951 by the great Hank Williams. Hank Williams recorded the song, on the B-side of a single, in 1951, but Cold, Cold Heart won  the country music chart’s Number One ranking.  It is the first country “cross-over” song, due to the recording made in the same year by Tony Bennett. Since 1951, this song has been a favorite of both popular and country singers including Louis Armstrong, Johnny Cash, Nat King Cole and Jerry Lee Lewis.

About This Version

Tony Bennett tells wonderful stories about Cold, Cold Heart in his concerts. He often relates that he liked the song when Mitch Miller played it for him, but couldn’t imagine himself singing a country song. He says that Mitch told him that if he had to tie him to a tree, Tony would record that song.  So, as Tony relates “…so he tied me to a tree … ”

They recorded the song on May 31, 1951; by July it reached the Billboard charts and stayed there for 27 weeks, peaking at #1 on the popular charts. Mr. Bennett sings the song today at most of his concerts.

The very effective arrangement is by Percy Faith.

Cold, Cold Heart

Listen to Cold, Cold Heart on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2011

Cold, Cold Heart, as well as Columbia Singles: Volume 1, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: The Boulevard Of Broken Dreams

As we continue with The Tony Bennett 1950s Hit Parade, the song of the day for Monday, January 7, 2012 is The Boulevard of Broken Dreams.

About The Boulevard of Broken Dreams

The Boulevard of Broken Dreams was written in 1933 by Harry Warren, with lyrics by Al Dubin. The song was written with for the 1934 film, Moulin Rouge, and the song, as well as the film, was set in Paris. It was first sung in the film by Constance Bennett; the first recording was made by Deane Janis with Hal Kemp’s orchestra in 1933. Significant recordings include those by Bing Crosby and an instrumental version by Art Tatum.

About This Version

Like the version of Fascinatin’ Rhythm we featured a few weeks ago, The Boulevard of Broken Dreams was first recorded as a demonstration disc by Leslie Records in 1949. Unfortunately, no recordings of this demo disc still exist.

This recording is the song that got Tony Bennett his contract with Columbia in 1950. Mitch Miller had heard the recording and offered a contract to Mr. Bennett, sight unseen.

This version was recorded in April, 1950 and was released in May of the same year. It was arranged and conducted by Marty Manning and produced by Mitch Miller.

The Boulevard of Broken Dreams

Listen to The Boulevard of Broken Dreams on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2011

The Boulevard of Broken Dreams, as well as the full Columbia Singles: Volume 1, is available from iTunes.