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 Saturday, May 31, 2025, is “While We’re Young.”

About This Song

“While We’re Young” was written in 1943 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 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” 74 years ago on May 31, 1951, on both 45- and 78-RPM records. Percy Faith wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

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

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Song of the Day: While We’re Young

The song of the day for Sunday, February 16, 2025, is “While We’re Young.”

About Today

We’re remembering the composer of today’s song, Alec Wilder, who was born 118 years ago on February 16, 1907, in Rochester, NY. Wilder was a noted composer of popular and semi-classical music and an author. His book American Popular Song: The Great Innovators, is the definitive encyclopedia of the American Songbook.

About This Song

“While We’re Young” was written in 1944 by Alec Wilder and Morty Palitz, with lyrics by William Engvick. James Thurber, a neighbor of Alec Wilder, told him that Engvick’s lyrics to “While We’re Young” was “the finest piece of English writing he knew.”

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; it was released as a single (both 78 and 45 RPM) that year. Percy Faith wrote the arrangement.

“While We’re Young,” as well as 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 December 25, 2024, 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 and Alec Wilder. 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 Wilder lyrics are outstanding.

About This Version

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

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

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

The song of the day for Friday, February 16, 2024, is “It’s So Peaceful in the Country.”

About Today

We are remembering Alec Wilder on the anniversary of his birth on February 16, 1907. Wilder was a composer of both popular and classical music. He also wrote the definitive book on American popular music, American Popular Song: The Great Innovators, 1900–1950, one of my primary resources for this website and the Interactive Tony Bennett Discography.

About This Song

Alec Wilder wrote “It’s So Peaceful in the Country” in 1941 for the singer Mildred Bailey. Wilder was a great friend to singers Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra and admired jazz musicians for their improvisational skills.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “It’s So Peaceful in the Country” on June 27, 1957, which featured Chico Hamilton on drums. It was recorded for The Beat of My Heart but wasn’t used in the original album release. It was added for the 1996 CD re-release.

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

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Song of the Day: A Child Is Born

The song of the day for Monday, December 25, 2023, the last day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, is “A Child Is Born.”

About This Song

“A Child Is Born” was written by Thad Jones and Alec Wilder in 1969. 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 September 1976 for their second album, Together Again, released in 1977 on Bennett’s own Improv label.

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