Song of the Day: Last Night When We Were Young

The song of the day for Saturday, April 27, 2019, is “Last Night When We Were Young.”

About This Song

“Last Night When We Were Young” was written in 1935 by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg. 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, pictured here with Harold Arlen, 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 first recorded “Last Night When We Were Young” in 1959 album To My Wonderful One, with an arrangement by Frank DeVol. Today, however, I’m featuring Bennett’s 1992 recording for the album Perfectly Frank, arranged by Ralph Sharon. In an unguarded moment, I once said that Tony Bennett sings Frank Sinatra better than Frank Sinatra and I still believe that, as far as this album of songs associated with Frank Sinatra is concerned.

Last Night When We Were Young

Last Night When We Were Young, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

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