The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Darn That Dream

The song of the day for Thursday, June 2, 2022, is “Darn That Dream.”

About This Song

“Darn That Dream” was written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Eddie DeLange for the 1939 musical Swingin’ the Dream, an adaptation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer’s Night Dream. The cast had many big names: Louis Armstrong playing Bottom, Maxine Sullivan as Titania, Bill Bailey, and Dorothy Dandridge. It only ran for 13 performances and is considered to be a flop. Fortunately, “Darn That Dream” proved to be a big hit and earned some money for the investors.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Darn That Dream” on August 11, 1954, for his first LP album, Cloud 7. Chuck Wayne wrote the arrangement.

“Darn That Dream,” as well as Cloud7 is available on Apple Music.

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Second Song of the Day: Fly Me to the Moon

The second song of the day for Wednesday, June 1, 2022, is “Fly Me to the Moon.”

About Today

Today is the anniversary of the birth of Bart Howard, who wrote “Fly Me to the Moon.” Howard was born on June 1, 1915, in Burlington, Iowa. He began his career as an accompanist at the age of 16.

About This Song

“Fly Me to the Moon” was written by Bart Howard in 1954, though the original title was “In Other Words.” It was later changed by the publisher and the song began to take off after that.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Fly Me to the Moon” on February 18, 1965, for the album If I Ruled the World: Songs for the Jet Set. The arrangement was written by Don Costa.

“Fly Me to the Moon,” as well as If I Ruled the World: Songs for the Jet Set is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Give Me The Simple Life

The song of the day for Wednesday, June 1, 2022, is “Give Me The Simple Life.”

About This Song

“Give Me the Simple Life” was written by Rube Bloom and Harry Ruby in 1946 for the movie Wake Up and Dream, which starred John Payne and June Haver.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Give Me The Simple Life” on December 24, 2022, for the album Cloud 7, released in 1955. Charles Panely, who plays trumpet for this recording, wrote the arrangement.

“Give Me The Simple Life,” as well as Cloud 7 is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Old Devil Moon

The song of the day for Tuesday, May 31, 2022, 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 first LP album, Cloud 7. After four years of recording pop singles, Cloud 7 was Bennett’s declaration that he was a jazz singer. Chuck Wayne, who played guitar on this album, arranged this song, as well as most of the rest of the songs on the album.

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

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Song of the Day: Stranger in Paradise

The song of the day for Monday, May 30, 2022, is “Stranger in Paradise.”

About This Song

“Stranger in Paradise” was written in 1953 for the musical Kismet by Robert Wright and George Forrest, based on music by Alexander Borodin.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Stranger in Paradise” on October 13, 1953, featuring an arrangement by Percy Faith, and was released as a single that year. This recording was later included on Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Hits.

“Stranger in Paradise,” as well as the singles collected on is available on Apple Music.

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