Song of the Day: Firefly

The song of the day for Sunday, October 18, 2015 is “Firefly.”

About This Song

“Firefly” was written in 1958 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. It was written as an audition piece for the musical Gypsy; this was after Ethel Merman rejected the producer’s choice of a relatively young Stephen Sondheim to write the music and lyrics. The composing duties went to the great Jule Styne, who did insist on Sondheim for the lyrics.

About Today

It’s Sunday and hopefully most of us have a little extra time to listen to more than one recording today.

About These Versions

This song must be a favorite of Bennett’s as he’s recorded it six times, from 1958 to 2014!

There are two recordings from 1958: first as a single arranged by Ray Ellis and later that year with Count Basie, which is probably my favorite version of them all. Next up are two live recordings: 1962 at Carnegie Hall and 1964 at The Sahara. Finally are our two duet versions: 1998 with Kermit The Frog and 2014 with Lady Gaga. There’s a lot to choose from today!

1958-1

“Firefly,” as well as The Columbia Singles, Vol. 5, is available from iTunes.

1958-2

“Firefly,” as well as In Person!, is available from iTunes.

1962

“Firefly,” as well as Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, is available from iTunes.

1964

“Firefly,” as well as Tony Bennett Live at The Sahara: From This Moment On, is available from iTunes.

1998

“Firefly,” as well as The Playground, is available from iTunes.

2014

“Firefly,” as well as Cheek To Cheek, is available from iTunes.