Song of the Day: Make Someone Happy

The song of the day for Monday, November 25, 2013 is “Make Someone Happy.”

About This Song

“Make Someone Happy” was written by Jule Styne, with lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green for the 1960 Broadway musical Do Re Mi. “Make Someone Happy” was the hit song from the musical and has been widely recorded. In addition to Tony Bennett’s recordings (see below), it has been recorded by Jimmy Durante, Doris Day, Perry Como, Judy Garland and many more.

About This Version

The first recording that Tony Bennett singing “Make Someone Happy” was only recently uncovered; he sang it at the 1962 concert at the invitation of President Kennedy; a recording of this concert was recently released as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962.

Today’s version is from the 1977 album Together Again, with Bill Evans. Originally written as happy song, this version is anything but; Evans and Bennett explore the darker side of trying to make someone happy. It seems it isn’t quite as easy as it sounds.

I love the Jimmy Durante version so much, and so here it is.