The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: How Insensitive

The song of the day for Monday, February 18, 2019, is “How Insensitive.”

About This Song

Written in 1963, Antonio Carlos Jobim based this composition on Chopin’s “Prelude No. 4.” This song has been widely recorded, including a very fine early recording with Jobim and Stan Getz for their 1963 album Jazz Samba Encore, Astrud Gilberto and João Gilberto recording. The original Portuguese lyrics were written by Vinicius de Moraes; Norman Gimbel wrote the English version of the lyrics.

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 did the arrangement.

How Insensitive

How Insensitive, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“How Insensitive,” as well as If I Ruled the World: Songs for the Jet Set, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Wave

The song of the day for Wednesday, July 11, 2018 is “Wave.”

About This Song

“Wave,” or “Vou Te Contar” in the original Portuguese, is a classic bossa nova song written by Antonio Carlos Jobim in 1967. It’s one of Jobim’s loveliest songs.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Wave” in 1970 for his album Tony Bennett’s “Something”. It features an arrangement by Peter Matz.

Wave

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


“Wave,” as well as Tony Bennett’s “Something”, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: How Insensitive

The song of the day for Thursday, April 19, 2018 is “How Insensitive.”

About This Song

Written in 1963, Antonio Carlos Jobim based this composition on Chopin’s “Prelude No. 4.” This song has been widely recorded, including a very fine early recording with Jobim and Stan Getz for their 1963 album Jazz Samba Encore, Astrud Gilberto and João Gilberto recording. The English lyrics are by Norman Gimbel.

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 did the very fine arrangement.

How Insensitive

Tony Bennett · If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set · Song · 1965


“How Insensitive,” as well as If I Ruled the World: Songs for the Jet Set, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars

The song of the day for Friday, April 6, 2018 is “Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars .”

About This Song

Known in the original Portuguese as “Corcovado,” this is one the great early bossa nova songs written by the master Antonio Carlos Jobim in 1960. The English lyrics were written by Gene Lees. This 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.”60

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Quiet Nights on Quiet Stars” in 1962; it was released on the 1963 album I Wanna Be Around. Marty Manning did the arrangement.

Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars (Corcovado)

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


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

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Song of the Day: Wave

The song of the day for Tuesday, January 23, 2018 is “Wave.”

About This Song

“Wave” (also known as “Vou Te Contar” in Portuguese) is a bossa nova song written by Antônio Carlos Jobim. Recorded as an instrumental on his 1967 album of the same name, its English lyrics were written by Jobim himself later that year.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Wave” in 1970 for the album Tony Bennett’s “Something”. It features John Bunch on piano.

Wave

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


“Wave,” as well as Tony Bennett’s “Something”, is available from iTunes.