The song of the day for Saturday, April 20, 2013 is Once Upon A Time.
About This Song
Once Upon A Time was written for the 1962 musical All American by Charles Strouse, with lyrics by Lee Adams. Starring Ray Bolger with Anita Gillette and Fritz Weaver, it only ran for 80 performances.
About This Version
At the age of 12, I practically wore out my parent’s LP of this album, because I thought it was the most romantic and beautiful song I had ever heard; fifty years later I still love this song very much. My mother, on the other hand, fell in love with I Left My Heart In San Francisco, and started her campaign to take the family there for summer vacation, which we did do a few years later on The Big Road Trip from Birmingham, Alabama to LA to San Francisco and back in three weeks. Pulling a camper trailer. But that’s another story.
Once Upon A Time is notable for being the A-side of the 45 RPM record for Tony Bennett’s big hit, I Left My Heart In San Francisco, which won him two Grammys: Record of the Year and Best Solo Vocal Performance, Male. Both awards very well deserved.
Our song today is quite lovely and I dare you to not feel a stir of romance when you hear it.
Once Upon A Time, as well as the full I Left My Heart In San Francisco album, is available from iTunes.
This song is very beautiful and in keeping with the quality of work Tony Bennett always produces! He still sings it live and audiences worldwide still love this song and Tony Bennett!