The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Smile

The song of the day for Friday, August 19, 2022, is “Smile.”

About This Song

Charlie Chaplin wrote “Smile” in 1936 for his last silent film, Modern Times, which shows Chaplin and his costar Paulette Goddard, walking hand-in-hand up the road as the sun rises and as this song plays, in one of the most iconic scenes ever filmed.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Smile” on June 24, 1959. It was released as a single in 1959 (Columbia 45: 4-41434) and again in 1962 on the album I Left My Heart in San Francisco. It was arranged by Ralph Burns.

“Smile,” as well as I Left My Heart In San Francisco is available on Apple Music.

Here’s that final scene from Modern Times.

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Song of the Day: Stella by Starlight

The song of the day for Thursday, August 18, 2022, is “Stella by Starlight.”

About This Song

“Stella by Starlight” was written in 1944 by Victor Young for the 1944 film The Uninvited; the lyrics by Ned Washington were added in 1946. The song was recorded in 1947 by Harry James and Frank Sinatra; it has been frequently recorded ever since. It became a jazz standard in the early 1950s, with recordings by Stan Getz, Bud Powell, and Stan Kenton. It ranks as the 10th most important jazz title at jazzstandards.com.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Stella by Starlight” on April 6, 1961, for his album My Heart Sings. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement.

“Stella by Starlight,” as well as My Heart Sings is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Rules of the Road

The song of the day for Wednesday, August 17, 2022, is “The Rules of the Road.”

About This Song

“The Rules of the Road” was written in 1961 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. In addition to several recordings by Tony Bennett, the song has also been recorded by Lena Horne, Shirley Horne, Nat King Cole, and Rosemary Clooney.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Rules of the Road” on April 6, 1961, with a very fine arrangement by Ralph Burns. It was released in 1962 on the album I Left My Heart In San Francisco.

“The Rules of the Road,” as well as I Left My Heart In San Francisco is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Dancing in the Dark

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 16, 2022, is “Dancing in the Dark.”

About This Song

“Dancing in the Dark” was written for the 1931 revue The Band Wagon and is widely considered to be the finest of the songs written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz. Alec Wilder in American Popular Song describes it as “a very strong song with a superb, poetic lyric.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recordedv “Dancipng in the Dark” on April 6, 1961, for his album My Heart Sings. The wonderful arrangement was written by Ralph Burns.

“Dancing in the Dark,” as well as My Heart Sings is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Put On A Happy Face

The song of the day for Monday, August 15. 2022, is “Put On A Happy Face.”

About This Song

“Put on A Happy Face” was written by Charles Strouse and Lee Adams for the 1960 musical Bye, Bye Birdie, based loosely on the story of Elvis Presley being drafted into the Army in 1957.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Put On A Happy Face” on May 6, 1960, with an arrangement by Frank Devol. It was released as a single in 1960 and was added to Bennett’s 1962 compilation of Broadway songs he recorded between 1953 and 1961: Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits.

“Put On A Happy Face” as well as Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits is available on Apple Music.

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