The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: The Man That Got Away

The song of the day for Wednesday, March 15, 2023, is “The Man That Got Away.”

About This Song

“The Man That Got Away” was written by Harold Arlen and Ira Gershwin or Judy Garland for the 1954 version of A Star Is Born, with James Mason. Her performance of the song is legendary in film history, with 27 takes in three days, three separate sessions, and two different directors. The filmed scene is brilliant and made the song a huge hit for Garland, who sang it in most of her concerts.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with Ralph Sharon on piano, recorded “The Man That Got Away” on October 28, 1959, in a single recording session where Bennett and Sharon recorded 16 songs, 12 of which were released on Tony Sings For Two, released in 1961.

“The Man That Got Away,” as well as Tony Sings For Two is available on Apple Music.

And here’s that famous scene from the 1954 A Star Is Born:

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Are You Havin’ Any Fun?

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 13, 2023, is “Are You Havin’ Any Fun?”.

About This Song

“Are You Havin’ Any Fun?” was written by Jack Yellen and Sammy Fain in 1939 for George White’s Scandals. George White produced these Broadway revues from 1919 to 1939. Stars introduced in his Scandals include Bert Lahr, Ethel Merman, Ray Bolger, and The Three Stooges.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with The Count Basie Orchestra, recorded “Are You Havin’ Any Fun?” on January 5, 1959, and was released in 1959 on Basie Swings/Bennett Sings. The song was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

“Are You Havin’ Any Fun?,” as well as Basie Swings/Bennett Sings is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: How Do You Keep The Music Playing?

The song of the day for Monday, March 13, 2023, is “How Do You Keep The Music Playing.”

About This Song

“How Do You Keep The Music Playing” was written by Michel Legrand, with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman, for the 1982 movie Best Friends. The song has become a popular standard and has had many fine recordings, including those by Frank Sinatra (who encouraged Bennett to sing this song), Frankie Laine, Johnny Mathis and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “How Do You Keep The Music Playing” live on September 15, 2016, at Radio Center Music Hall for a celebration of his 90th birthday. An album of the celebration was released as Tony Bennett Celebrates 90.

“How Do You Keep The Music Playing,” as well as Tony Bennett Celebrates 90 is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Mr. Bennett singing “How Do You Keep The Music Playing?” from the concert:

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: I Left My Heart In San Francisco

The song of the day for Sunday, March 12, 2023, is “I Left My Heart In San Francisco.”

About This Song

“I Left My Heart in San Francisco” was written in 1953 by George Cory and Douglass Cross.

This song is, of course, Tony Bennett’s signature song. It actually became that quite by accident. As Bennett’s musical director, songwriters were constantly giving Ralph Sharon copies of their songs. Cross and Cory had done that and Sharon had stuck the song in a drawer and forgotten all about it. In 1961, he and Bennett were heading out on tour, which included a stop in San Francisco at The Venetian Room at the Fairmont Hotel on Nob Hill. Sharon came across the music and thought it might be a nice local number for the San Francisco audience.

After a performance in Hot Springs, Arkansas, they found a piano and started to work on the song a bit. An early fan was the bartender, who said he’d buy the first copy if they ever decided to record it. Of course, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” was a huge hit at the performance, and in January 1962, Bennett recorded it and released it on a 45 RPM record on the B-side to “Once Upon a Time.” But gradually, I Left My Heart in San Francisco started getting all the airplay and it became a major hit for Bennett, winning him his first Grammy Award. It is his signature song and is beloved by all of his fans.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” live on September 15, 2016, at a concert at Radio City Music Hall celebrating his 90th birthday. The songs from that concert were released in 2016 on Tony Bennett Celebrates 90.

“I Left My Heart In San Francisco,” as well as Tony Bennett Celebrates 90 is available on Apple Music.

We are very happy to present the video from Tony Bennett Celebrates 90:

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: The Best Is Yet To Come

The song of the day for Saturday, March 11, 2023, is “The Best Is Yet To Come.”

About This Song

“The Best Is Yet To Come” was written in 1959 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. Some say that “The Best is Yet to Come” was written for Tony Bennett. In any case, the song is strongly identified with him and he sang it regularly at most of his concerts. Other recordings include those by Peggy Lee, Frank Sinatra, and Ella Fitzgerald.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Best Is Yet To Come” on September 15, 2016, live from Radio City Music Hall, for the televised tribute to him in celebration of his 90th birthday. On that evening, singers including Lady Gaga, Andrea Bocelli, Diana Krall, and k.d. lang also performed songs that Bennett also recorded. The evening was captured on the album Tony Bennett Celebrates 90: The Best Is Yet To Come.

“The Best Is Yet To Come,” as well as Tony Bennett Celebrates 90: The Best Is Yet To Come is available on Apple Music.

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