Firefly

It’s a beautiful summer day and today is about joyful and happy songs. Thus, the Song of the Day for August 12, 2012 is Firefly.

About Firefly

Firefly was written by Cy Coleman (music) and Carolyn Leigh (lyrics) in 1958. Originally, it was written as an  audition piece for the planned musical Gypsy and was intended to be sung by Baby June in Act One.  Gypsy was given to Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim and was, and remains, one of the greatest American musicals ever written. Thankfully, the song Firefly survived and was recorded by Tony in 1959 for In Person! With Count Basie and His Orchestra. He also has a sweet and funny duet of this song with Kermit the Frog on The Playground, his children’s album from 1998. Kermit swings pretty good for a frog.

About This Version

Today’s version of Firefly is from Tony’s extraordinary 1962 Carnegie Hall concert.  You can hear the audience enjoying it as much I do.