The song of the day for Tuesday, September 8, 2015 is “Strangers in Paradise.”
About This Song
“Stranger in Paradise” was the hugely popular song from the 1953 musical Kismet. The melody is based on “Gilding Dance of the Maidens” by Alexander Borodin and was adapted by Robert Wright and George Forrest.
The popularity of Kismet is due in large part to Tony Bennett. At the time Kismet was preparing to open, New York City was having a massive newspaper strike and publicizing the opening of the musical was nearly impossible. The producers asked Tony Bennett to record “Stranger in Paradise” to help promote the production. His version was a hit and so was Kismet.
About This Version
Tony Bennett recorded “Stranger in Paradise” on October 13, 1953. The arrangement was by Percy Faith and used The Ray Charles Singers. “Stranger is Paradise” was released as a single, with “Why Does It Have To Be Me.” The recording was featured on Bennett’s 1961 album Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits.
“Stranger in Paradise,” as well as Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits, is available from iTunes.
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