Song of the Day: Last Night When We Were Young

The song of the day for is “Last Night When We Were Young.”

About This Song

Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg wrote “Last Night When We Were Young” 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 wonderful album In The Wee Small Hours. It has also been recorded by Judy Garland, Mel Tormé, Carmen McRae, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Last Night When We Were Young” in 1992 for the album Perfectly Frank. Playing with Bennett is The Ralph Sharon Trio, with Sharon on piano, Paul Langosch on bass and Joe Barbera on drums.’

Perfectly Frank won the 1992 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Performance.

Last Night When We Were Young

Listen to Last Night When We Were Young on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1992.

“Last Night When We Were Young,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available from Apple Music.