The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Stranger in Paradise

The song of the day for Monday, October 13, 2025, is “Stranger in Paradise.”

About This Song

“Stranger in Paradise” was written by Robin Wright and George Forrest for the 1953 musical Kismet. The song was based on Alexander Borodin‘s composition Gliding Dance of the Maidens.

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” 72 years ago today on October 13, 1953, featuring an arrangement by Percy Faith. It was released as a single; the same recording was included on Bennett’s 1962 album Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits.

“Stranger in Paradise,” as well as Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Stranger in Paradise

The song of the day for Thursday, July 18, 2024, is “Stranger in Paradise.”

About This Song

“Stranger in Paradise” was written by Robert Wright and George Forrest, based on Alexander Borodin’s Gilding Dance of the Maidens, in 1953 for the Broadway musical Kismet. The song was a hugely popular song from Kismet; 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 musical’s opening 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, and it was released as a single immediately; the same recording was used on the 1962 album Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits. “Stranger In Paradise” was arranged by Percy Faith.

“Stranger in Paradise,” as well as Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Stranger in Paradise

The song of the day for Friday, October 13, 2023, is “Stranger in Paradise.”

About Today

Tony Bennett recorded “Stranger in Paradise” 70 years ago today: October 13, 1953.

About This Song

“Stranger in Paradise” was written in 1953 by Robert Wright and George Forrest for the Broadway musical Kismet. The song was based on “Gliding Dance of the Maidens” from the opera Prince Igor by Alexander Borodin, written in 1890.

“Stranger in Paradise” was the hugely popular song from Kismet. 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, and released that same year as a single; the same recording was used on the 1962 album Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits. “Stranger In Paradise” was arranged by Percy Faith.

“Stranger in Paradise,” as well as Mr. Broadway” Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Stranger in Paradise

The song of the day for Monday, May 30, 2022, is “Stranger in Paradise.”

About This Song

“Stranger in Paradise” was written in 1953 for the musical Kismet by Robert Wright and George Forrest, based on music by Alexander Borodin.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Stranger in Paradise” on October 13, 1953, featuring an arrangement by Percy Faith, and was released as a single that year. This recording was later included on Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Hits.

“Stranger in Paradise,” as well as the singles collected on is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Stranger In Paradise

The song of the day for Saturday, June 5, 2021, is “Stranger In Paradise.”

About This Song

“Stranger In Paradise” was written in 1953 for the Broadway musical Kismet. It was written by Robert Wright and George Forrest; the composition was based on Alexander Borodin’s “Gliding Dance of the Maidens.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett has made two studio recordings of “Stranger In Pardise;” the single recorded in 1953 that helped make the show a hit and again as a duet with Andrea Bocelli in 2011 for Duets II. He performed the song at his Carnegie Hall concert, captured on Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall.

Stranger In Paradise (From "Kismet") - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962

Listen to Stranger In Paradise (From "Kismet") - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962 on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Ralph Sharon & His Orchestra · 1962

“Stranger In Paradise,” as well as Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall is available on Apple Music.