The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: The Very Thought Of You

The song of the day for Thursday, November 14, 2024, is “The Very Thought Of You.”

About This Song

“The Very Thought Of You” was written in 1934 by British composer and band leader Ray Noble. Noble recorded it with his own orchestra; Bing Crosby also recorded it that same year. Other significant recordings include those by Frank Sinatra, Carmen McRae, and Nat King Cole.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Very Thought Of You” in 1965 for his album A Time For Love, released in 1966. It was arranged by John Keating and featured Bobby Hackett on cornet.

“The Very Thought Of You,” as well as A Time For Love, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Sleepy Time Gal

The song of the day for Sunday, September 8, 2024, is “Sleepy Time Gal.”

About This Song

“Sleepy Time Gal” was written in 1925 by Richard Whiting and Ange Lorenzo, with lyrics by Joseph R. Alden and Raymond Egan. The song is a husband singing to his wife, who likes to stay up all night and dance, therefore “turning night into day,” to please come home and go to bed. The original treatment was an up-tempo comic song, but is sometimes treated more as a lament, at a slower tempo. It was widely recorded in the late 1920s. Harry James recorded it in 1944 and revived interest in the song. Other good recordings include those by The Mills Brothers and Josephine Baker.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Sleepy Time Gal” in Fall 1965 for his album A Time For Love, released in 1966. The song was arranged by Johnny Keating and features Bobby Hackett on cornet.

“Sleepy Time Gal,” as well as A Time For Love, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Shining Sea

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 6, 2024, is “The Shining Sea.”

About This Song

“The Shining Sea” was written by Johnny Mandel and Peggy Lee for the 1966 Cold War comedy The Russians Are Coming The Russians Are Coming. The film concerns a Russian submarine that gets trapped on high ground near a New England town. The town gossip causes mass hysteria, but all is well in the end.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Shining Sea” on June 11, 1966, for his album A Time For Love. It was arranged by the composer, Johnny Mandel.

“The Shining Sea,” as well as A Time For Love, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: In The Wee Small Hours

The song of the day for Sunday, June 2, 2024, is “In The Wee Small Hours.”

About This Song

“In The Wee Small Hours” was written in 1955 by David Mann and Bob Hilliard. This song is, of course, widely identified with Frank Sinatra, who anchored his well-received concept album In the Wee Small Hours around this song. Interestingly, the song almost didn’t get written. The two songwriters were working in Hilliard’s home in New Jersey. It was well past midnight and Mann was getting ready to leave for home in New York. Hilliard urged him to stay and Mann came up with the tune, to which Hilliard quickly wrote the lyric.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “In The Wee Small Hours” on February 26, 1964, featuring an arrangement by Ralph Sharon. The recording was released on A Time For Love in 1966.

“In The Wee Small Hours,” as well as A Time For Love, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: My Funny Valentine

The song of the day for Monday, February 26, 2024, is “My Funny Valentine.”

About This Song

“My Funny Valentine” was written by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart for the 1937 Broadway musical Babes in Arms, where it was introduced by Mitzi Green. This ballad is one of the most-loved songs in the American songbook and has been sung by most jazz and cabaret artists. In addition to Tony Bennett’s excellent recordings of this song, others include those by Chet Baker, Frank Sinatra, and Miles Davis.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “My Funny Valentine” sixty years ago today on February 26, 1964, for his album A Time For Love. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement and with the rest of his trio (Hal Gaylord on bass and Billy Exiner on drums) accompanied Bennett for this recording.

“My Funny Valentine,” as well as A Time For Love, is available on Apple Music.