The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars

The song of the day for Wednesday, May 4, 2022, is “Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars.”

About This Song

“Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars” (“Corcovado” in the original Portuguese) written by Antonio Carlos Jobim in 1960 is one of the great early bossa nova songs. The English lyrics were written by Gene Lees. The song has a serene quiet feeling–the English title fits the mood of the song perfectly. Both Stan Getz and Miles Davis recorded jazz versions of “Quiet Nights.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars” for his 1963 album I Wanna Be Around. Marty Manning wrote the arrangement.

“Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars,” as well as I Wanna Be Around is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: How Insensitive

The song of the day for Tuesday, January 25, 2022, is “How Insensitive.”

About Today

We are very pleased to honor Antônio Carlos Jobim, who was born in Rio de Janeiro on January 25, 1927. Jobim popularized bossa nova to the world, including today’s song “How Insensitive” or “Insensatez” in the original Portuguese.

About This Song

Antônio Carlos Jobim wrote “How Insensitive” in 1963, with the Portuguese lyrics by Vinicius de Moraes. Norman Gimbel wrote the English lyrics. This song has been widely recorded, including a very fine early recording with Jobim and Stan Getz for their 1963 album Jazz Samba Encore.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “How Insensitive” on February 18, 1965, featuring an arrangement by Don Costa. It was released in 1965 on the album If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set.

“How Insensitive,” as well as If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Wave

The song of the day for Friday, September 10, 2021, is “Wave.”

About This Song

“Wave” (or “Vou Te Contar” in Portuguese) was written in 1967 by Antonio Carlos Jobim; originally written as an instrumental, Jobim wrote the English lyrics himself. This song has been widely recorded by artists including Oscar Peterson, Joao Gilberto, Frank Sinatra, and Sarah Vaughan.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Wave” in 1970 for his album Tony Bennett’s “Something”. Peter Matz wrote the arrangement.

Wave

Listen to Wave on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1970.

“Wave,” as well as Tony Bennett’s “Something” is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: How Insensitive

The song of the day for Saturday, May 29, 2021, is “How Insensitive.”

About This Song

“How Insensitive,” or “Insensatez” in the original Portuguese, was written by Antonio Carlos Jobim in 1963. The original Portuguese lyrics were written by Vinicius de Moraes; the English lyrics were written by Norman Gimbel. This song has been widely recorded, including a very fine early recording with Jobim and Stan Getz for their 1963 album Jazz Samba Encore!.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “How Insensitive” in 1965 for his album If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set. Don Costa wrote the arrangement.

How Insensitive

Listen to How Insensitive on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1965.

“How Insensitive,” as well as If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars

The song of the day for Tuesday, April 6, 2021, is “Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars.”

About This Song

“Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars” (“Corcovado” in the original Portuguese) was written by Antonio Carlos Jobim in 1960; the English lyrics by Gene Lees were added later. It is one of the great early bossa nova songs. The song has a serene quiet feeling–the English title fits the mood of the song perfectly. Both Stan Getz and Miles Davis recorded jazz versions of “Quiet Nights.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars” in 1962 for the album I Wanna Be Around, which was released in 1963. Marty Manning wrote the arrangement.

Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars (Corcovado)

Listen to Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars (Corcovado) on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1963.

“Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars,” as well as I Wanna Be Around, is available from Apple Music.

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