The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: The Folks That Live On The Hill

The song of the day for Wednesday, April 18, 2018 is “The Folks That Live On The Hill.”

About This Song

Today’s song was written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II in 1937 for movie High, Wide, and Handsome, where it was introduced by Irene Dunne. Bing Crosby recorded it that same year. Peggy Lee recorded it 1957 for her album The Man I Love; it was conducted by Frank Sinatra. Other recordings include those by Diana Krall, Jo Stafford and Nina Simone.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Folks That Live On The Hill” in 1989 for his autobiographical album Astoria: Portrait of the Artist. I am devoted to this album. It was beautifully conceived, telling the story of the young Anthony Benedetto growing up in Astoria, leaving for Europe to fight in World War II, returning home to start building a life and still calling Astoria a home. The album is touching, intimate and quiet beautiful.

The Folks That Live On The Hill

Listen to The Folks That Live On The Hill on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1990


“The Folks That Live On The Hill,” as well as Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: The Girl I Love

The song of the day for Monday, January 15, 2018 is “The Girl I Love.”

About This Song

“The Girl I Love” was written in 1924 by George and Ira Gershwin. The song was originally written for the 1924 Broadway musical Lady, Be Good, though it was cut from that production. It was used again in 1927 for Strike Up The Band, but that production closed out of town. The lyrics were revised to “The Man I Love” for the 1928 Rosalie, but was cut from that production as well. In spite of all that, it rightly has its place as one of the great songs in the American Songbook. Notable recordings include those by Ella Fitzgerald, Helen Forrest, Benny Goodman, Coleman Hawkins, Helen Morgan and many, many more.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this terrific version of “The Girl I Love” in 1989 for Astoria: Portrait of the Artist. The arrangement was done by Jorge Calandrelli.

The Girl I Love

Listen to The Girl I Love on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1990


“The Girl I Love,” as well as Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: I’ve Come Home Again

The song of the day for Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 2017 is “I’ve Come Home Again.”

About This Song

This song was written in 1989 by New York cabaret artist Charles DeForest for Tony Bennett to record for Astoria: Portrait of the Artist. DeForest got his professional start as a singer for the Benny Goodman Orchestra, but soon set out on his own as a performer in piano bars and cabarets in Manhattan. He won several awards for his cabaret work, including those from the Manhattan Association of Cabarets in 1994 and 1996 and the Mabel Mercer Foundation in 1992.

About This Version

Tony Bennett sings “I’ve Come Home Again,” recorded in 1989 for his autobiographical album Astoria: Portrait of the Artist. The arrangement is by Jorge Calandrelli.

The Year of Tony Bennett wishes you a very happy Thanksgiving.

I"ve Come Home Again

Listen to I"ve Come Home Again on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1990


“I’ve Come Home Again,” as well as Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: The Folks That Live On The Hill

The song of the day for Monday, November 13, 2017 is “The Folks That Live On The Hill.”

About This Song

This song was written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein for the 1937 movie High, Wide, and Handsome, where it was introduced by Irene Dunne. Bing Crosby recorded it that same year. Peggy Lee recorded it 1957 for her album The Man I Love; it was conducted by Frank Sinatra. Other recordings include those by Diana Krall, Jo Stafford and Nina Simone. This song has a classic Kern melody and an even more classic Hammerstein lyric.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Folks That Live On the Hill” in 1989 for his autobiographical album Astoria: Portrait of the Artist. It was arranged and conducted by Jorge Calandrelli.

The Folks That Live On The Hill

Listen to The Folks That Live On The Hill on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1990


“The Folks That Live On The Hill,” as well as Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: When Do The Bells Ring For Me?

The song of the day for Wednesday, August 30, 2017 is “When Do The Bells Ring For Me?”

About This Song

This song was written by New York cabaret artist Charles DeForest in 1989 especially for Tony Bennett to sing on Astoria: Portrait of the Artist. DeForest got his professional start as a singer for the Benny Goodman Orchestra, but soon set out on his own as a performer in piano bars and cabarets in Manhattan. He won several awards for his cabaret work, including those from the Manhattan Association of Cabarets in 1994 and 1996 and the Mabel Mercer Foundation in 1992. Mr. DeForest died in 1992. “When Do The Bells Ring For Me?” became his signature song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “When Do The Bells Ring For Me?” in 1989 for his autobiographical album Astoria: Portrait of the Artist.

When Do The Bells Ring For Me

Listen to When Do The Bells Ring For Me on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1990


“When Do The Bells Ring For Me? ,” as well as Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, is available from iTunes.

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