Song of the Day: Last Night When We Were Young

The song of the day for Monday, August 2, 2021, is “Last Night When We Were Young.”

Tony Bennett Week

Tony Bennett has made many excellent recordings of Harold Arlen songs — so many, in fact, that two of his Arlen songs have made it to my list of Seven of Tony’s greatest recordings. Today’s song is very special.

About This Song

“Last Night When We Were Young” was written in 1935 by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg. In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder wrote:

This is a most remarkable markable and beautiful song. It is one which goes far beyond the boundaries of popular music. For me, it is a concert song without a trace of trying to be. It hasn’t any artiness about it or pretense. It’s obviously deeply felt, both by the composer and the lyricist, E. Y. Harburg. It is written with such intensity that it gives the illusion of being a song of great range, whereas it is only one step beyond an octave!

All in all, it’s a very beautiful and introspective song that is much beloved by singers. Frank Sinatra included it on his excellent 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 his tribute album to Frank Sinatra: Perfectly Frank.

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