The song of the day for Wednesday, July 9, 2014 is “Firefly.”
About This Song
“Firefly” was written in 1958 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. It was an audition number written for the upcoming musical Gypsy, starring Ethel Merman in one her greatest roles. The job of writing the score went to Jule Styne, with the lyrics by a very young Stephen Sondheim. I think I would have loved to hear what Coleman and Leigh might have done for Gypsy. Thankfully, we have this song.
About This Version
Tony Bennett first recorded Firefly in August, 1958, arranged by Ray Ellis and released as single that same month. Today’s recording is from his second album with Count Basie and His Orchestra, In Person!, and was recorded just a few months later in December, 1958.
http://open.spotify.com/track/1LdR8g2RNMijylY5kS69Iq
“Firefly,” as well as the album In Person!, is available from iTunes.
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