Song of the Day: Last Night When We Were Young

The song of the day for Sunday, February 23, 2014 is “Last Night When We Were Young.”

About This Song

“Last Night When We Were Young” was composed by Harold Arlen with lyrics by E.Y. “Yip” Harburg in 1935. Arlen considered “Last Night When We Were Young” to be one of his favorite songs. In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder calls it a “most remarkable and beautiful song … (that) goes far beyond the boundaries of popular music.” Yip Harburg has said that he doesn’t know exactly where the title came from but that “the juxtaposition of those two phrases is almost a whole world of philosophy.” All in all, it’s a very beautiful and introspective song that is much beloved by singers. Frank Sinatra included on his album In The Wee Small Hours. It has also been recorded by Judy Garland, Mel Tormé, Carmen McRae and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Today’s version of “Last Night When We Were Young” is from Bennett 1992 album Perfectly Frank. Mr. Bennett previously recorded this song for his 1960 album To My Wonderful One.

This 1992 version was arranged and conducted by Robert Farnon and was produced by Andre Fischer. Frank Laico, who had engineered many of Bennett’s recordings for his first contract with Columbia at the famed 30th Street Studio, came out of retirement to engineer this album. All the songs on the album feature the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Paul Langosch on bass and Joe LaBarbera on drums.

http://open.spotify.com/track/1qgQmCZ3fUkG2dNSYI6OvN
“Last Night When We Were Young,” as well as the album Perfectly Frank, is available from iTunes.