The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: The Good Life

The song of the day for Wednesday, June 7, 2023, is “The Good Life.”

About This Song

“The Good Life” was written in 1962 by Sacha Distel and Jack Reardon. Originally titled “La Belle Vie,” “The Good Life” was featured in the movie Seven Capital Sins. Tony Bennett is the singer most widely identified with “The Good Life;” other good recordings include those by Betty Carter, Carmen McRae, and Stephane Grappelli. It has been said that Distel wrote this song about Bridgette Bardot, who refused Distel’s marriage proposal.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Good Life” on December 19, 1962, for his album I Wanna Be Around, released in 1963. Marty Manning wrote the arrangement.

“The Good Life,” as well as I Wanna Be Around is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: You Go To My Head

The song of the day for Tuesday, June 6, 2023, is “You Go To My Head.”

About This Song

“You Got To My Head” was written in 1938 by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie, the same songwriting team that gave us “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.” Alec Wilder called “You Got To My Head” “a phenomenon” and “a minor masterpiece.” Al Gioia in The Jazz Standards notes that “this song comes closer than any tune I know to capturing in musical form the feeling of losing control.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “You Go To My Head” on October 14, 1957. It was an outtake for the original release of The Beat of My Heart in 1957, but was included on the 1997 re-release of the album. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon. The Beat of My Heart featured a number of percussionists as guest artists; in addition to Bennett’s regular drummer Billy Exiner, Sabu and Candido were featured on this recording.

“You Go To My Head,” as well as The Beat of My Heart is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Look For The Silver Lining

The song of the day for Monday, June 5, 2023, is “Look For The Silver Lining.”

About This Song

“Look For The Silver Lining” was written in 1919 by Jerome Kern, with lyrics by Buddy DeSylva, for the unsuccessful musical Zip, Goes a Million. It was published and reused in the musical Sally, where it was sung by Marilyn Miller. It’s had several notable recordings, including those by Chet Baker, Margaret Whiting, Bing Crosby, and several recordings by Judy Garland.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Look For The Silver Lining: for his 2015 album The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern. Accompanying Bennett on this recording are Bill Charlap, who wrote the arrangement, and Renee Rosnes.w

“Look For The Silver Lining,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Old Devil Moon

The song of the day for Saturday, June 3, 2023, is “Old Devil Moon.”

About This Song

“Old Devil Moon” was written by Burton Lane and Yip Harburg for the 1947 musical Finian’s Rainbow, which also gave us “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?” While Alec Wilder was no fan of “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?”, in America Popular Song, he praises “Old Devil Moon” as “a well-written, wholly convincing song. It drives, and its initial intensity is sustained throughout.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Old Devil Moon” on August 6, 1954, for his album Cloud 7, released in 1955. It was arranged by Chuck Wayne.

“Old Devil Moon,” as well as Cloud 7 is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: I’ll Be Seeing You

The song of the day for Friday, June 2, 2023, is “I’ll Be Seeing You.”

About This Song

“I’ll Be Seeing You” was written in 1938 by Sammy Fain and Irving Kahal. This song grew to its fame during World War II, when it became something of an anthem for soldiers serving overseas and the loved ones left at home. It’s been recorded by Billie Holiday, Al Hirt, Lisa Minelli, Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, and Willie Nelson.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’ll Be Seeing You” in June 1992 for his album dedicated to Frank Sinatra: Perfectly Frank. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

Perfectly Frank won the 1992 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“I’ll Be Seeing You,” as well as Perfectly Frank is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Sinatra’s recording of “I’ll Be Seeing You” with Tommy Dorsey, recorded in 1940:

Subscribe to The Year of Tony Bennett

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Current Reader Favorites