Song of the Day: For Once In My Life

The song of the day for Thursday, February 19, 2015 is “For Once In My Life.”

About This Song

“For Once In My Life” was written in 1967 by Ron Miller and Orlando Murden. The song was written for the Motown Record’s Jobete publising company. This song not only found a success as a Motown song, with the recording by Stevie Wonder, but also as a popular standard, starting with Tony Bennett’s recording in 1967. Thanks to Tony Bennett’s recording of the song, it’s been sung by other popular and jazz singers such as Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra.

About This Version

While Tony Bennett first recorded today’s song in 1967 for his album of the same name, today’s version is from his 2006 album Duets: An American Classic and is sung with Stevie Wonder, who also plays harmonica on the recording. It was arranged and conducted by Jorge Calandrelli.

“For Once In My Life,” as well as Duets: An American Classic, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Last Sunday evening, February 15, 2015, Tony Bennett appeared as a guest on the Grammy-produced tribute to Wonder: Stevie Wonder — Songs in the Key of Life. I didn’t get a chance to watch it Sunday, but had recorded it for later viewing. I was on Twitter Sunday and all of a sudden, Twitter exploded with tweets about Tony’s performance singing this song on the show:

Aside from the Legendary Master himself, #StevieWonder, the Living Legend @itstonybennett gave thee best performance of the night…COLD!!

— Vera G. (@vivaciousvdelor) February 18, 2015

Still dreaming about Tony Bennett's rendition of "For Once In My Life" at the Stevie Wonder Tribute. I mean…that was gospel! So good!

— Meocha Belle (@MeochaBelle) February 18, 2015

@itstonybennett absolutely slayed his rendition of "For Once in My Life"…had me in tears!!!! Is it available on iTunes? #StevieWonder

— Kakes By Kem (@KakesByKem) February 17, 2015

So, I finally found some time to watch this show and these viewers were right … Tony was superb. I’ve heard him sing this song live before, but this performance was absolutely riveting! If you have a chance to catch it, please do. In the meantime, here’s a video of Tony Bennett singing today’s song at The White House for President and Mrs. Obama in 2009. Note Esperanza Spaulding on bass!