The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: While We’re Young

The song of the day for Wednesday, May 25, 2022, is “While We’re Young.”

About This Song

“While We’re Young” was written in 1944 by Alec Wilder and Morty Palitz, with lyrics by William Engvick. The song was first recorded in 1944 by the Fred Waring Singers and again in 1949 by Meredith Willson (who wrote The Music Man) and his Orchestra. Peggy Lee also recorded the song in 1949, but not to Wilder’s liking. Marion McPartland quotes Wilder as telling Miss Lee ‘The next time you come to the bridge (of the song), jump off!’ “While We’re Young” remains popular in the American songbook, having been recently recorded by Jane Monheit and Ben Sidron.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “While We’re Young” on May 31, 1951. Percy Faith wrote the arrangement.

“While We’re Young,” as well as all of the singles collected on The Columbia Singles, Vol. 1 is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: A Child Is Born

The song of the day for Saturday, December 25, 2021, the twelfth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, is “A Child Is Born.”

About This Song

“A Child Is Born” was written in 1969 by Thad Jones, who played trumpet with The Count Basie Orchestra, and Alec Wilder. Jones, whose younger brother, Elvin, was a noted jazz drummer. He left the orchestra in 1963 to pursue a career as an arranger and studio trumpet player and later moved to Denmark. “A Child Is Born” is his best-known composition; the wonderful lyrics are by Alec Wilder.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “A Child Is Born” in 1976 for their second album, Together Again, released in 1968.

“A Child Is Born,” as well as Together Again is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: A Child Is Born

On Christmas Day, the 12th day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, the song of the day for Friday, December 25, 2020, is “A Child Is Born.”

About This Song

“A Child Is Born” was written by Thad Jones, whose younger brother, Elvin, was a noted jazz drummer. Thad Jones was a member of the Count Basie Orchestra starting in 1954. He left the orchestra in 1963 to pursue a career as an arranger and studio trumpet player and later moved to Denmark. “A Child Is Born” is his best-known composition; the wonderful lyrics are by Alec Wilder.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “A Child Is Born” in 1976 for their second album: Together Again, released in 1977.

A Child Is Born

Listen to A Child Is Born on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1977.

“A Child Is Born,” as well as Together Again, is available from Apple Music.

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Tony Live! While We’re Young

The song of the day for Saturday, July 4, 2020, is “While We’re Young.”

About This Song

“While We’re Young” was written by Alec Wilder, with Morty Palitz and William Engvick, in 1944. It was as first recorded in 1944 by the Fred Waring Singers and again in 1949 by Meredith Willson (who wrote The Music Man) and his Orchestra. Peggy Lee also recorded the song in 1949, but not to Wilder’s liking. Marion McPartland quotes Wilder as telling Miss Lee that “The next time you come to the bridge (of the song), jump off!” “While We’re Young” remains popular in the American songbook, having been recently recorded by Jane Monheit and Ben Sidron.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “While We’re Young” in 1977 in Buffalo, NY, which was Wilder’s home town. In fact, you can hear Bennett call out to Wilder before he starts the song. It was all captured on Tony Bennett, The McPartlands and Friends Make Magnificent Music. Currently, it only available in The Complete Improv Collection.

“While We’re Young,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: It’s So Peaceful in the Country

The song of the day for Tuesday, September 10, 2019, is “It’s So Peaceful in the Country.”

About This Song

Alec Wilder wrote “It’s So Peaceful in the Country” for the singer Mildred Bailey, who recorded it in 1941. Wilder was a great friend to singers Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra. He was an admirer of jazz musicians for their ability to improvise.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “It’s So Peaceful in the Country” in 1957, featuring a lovely arrangement by Ralph Sharon. This recording was not originally released on The Beat of My Heart but was included in the 1997 CD re-release.

“It’s So Peaceful in the Country,” as well as The Beat of My Heart, is available from iTunes.

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