The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: The Song Is Ended

The song of the day for Wednesday, November 23, 2022, is “The Song Is Ended.”

About This Song

“The Song Is Ended (But The Melody Lingers On)” was written in 1927 by Irving Berlin, with lyrics by Fritz Lohner-Beda. In his book The Tin Pan Alley Song Encyclopedia, Thomas Hischak calls this song “… an Irving Berlin standard whose title has been called the theme of all popular music, a chilling number in which both the lover and the ballad that was ‘their song’ is gone; yet neither can be forgotten because they remain in one’s memory.” This song was recorded in 1927 by Ruth Etting and has remained popular over the years with recordings by Dick Haymes, Dizzy Gillespie, Jeri Southern, Dinah Washington, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat “King” Cole, and many more.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Song Is Ended (But The Melody Lingers On)” in May 1987 for the album Bennett/Berlin. The song was arranged by Tony Bennett and features Dizzy Gillespie on trumpet. Bennett’s trio for this album had Ralph Sharon on piano, Paul Langosch on bass, and Joe LaBarbera on drums.

“The Song Is Ended,” as well as Bennett/Berlin is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: White Christmas

The song of the day for December 14, 2021, the first day of the Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, is “White Christmas.”

About This Song

“White Christmas” was written by Irving Berlin in 1940 and is one of America’s most beloved Christmas songs. In the not-often heard verse of the song, we hear that “the sun is shining, the grass is green, the orange and palm trees sway, there’s never been such a day in Beverly Hills, L.A. But it’s December the 24 …” And indeed, Irving Berlin was in Los Angeles when he wrote “White Christmas,” expressing that longing for a traditional back-home Christmas. Bing Crosby recorded the song in 1942 and completely dominated the music charts for weeks. Crosby’s single of “White Christmas” is the biggest-selling single record of all time, worldwide, with over 100-million copies.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “White Christmas” in 1987 for his album Bennett/Berlin, consisting of songs written by Irving Berlin. Dexter Gordon on tenor sax is featured on this recording.

“White Christmas,” as well as Bennett/Berlin is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Russian Lullaby

The song of the day for Sunday, October 31, 2021, is “Russian Lullaby.”

About This Song

Irving Berlin wrote “Russian Lullaby” in 1927. With this song, Berlin (born Isador Beilin) explores his childhood roots as an Eastern European/Belarusian Jewish immigrant. The song is like a folk melody and the lyrics are lovely. “Russian Lullaby” was first used in vaudeville and gained recognition with the recording by Roger Wolfe Kahn and His Orchestra. It has also been recorded by Bunny Berigan, Guy Lombardo, Bing Crosby, and Dinah Shore, among others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Russian Lullaby” in 1987 for his album Bennett/Berlin. Dizzy Gillespie is featured on trumpet.

“Russian Lullaby,” as well as Bennett/Berlin is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: All Of My Life

The song of the day for Thursday, October 28, 2021, is “All Of My Life.”

About This Song

Irving Berlin wrote “All Of My Life” in 1944. This sweet ballad expresses the yearning for a nice life with the one that you love, a message that was quite poignant for a country towards the end of World War II. This song was introduced (and made famous) by Kate Smith. Other recordings include those by Bing Crosby, Harry James, Sarah Vaughan, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “All Of My Life” in 1987 for his album Bennett/Berlin, featuring Dexter Gordon on tenor saxophone. Bennett wrote the arrangement and is accompanied by the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Sharon on piano, Paul Langosch on bass, and Joe LaBarbera on drums.

“All Of My Life,” as well as Bennett/Berlin is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Now It Can Be Told

The song of the day for Thursday, May 20, 2021, is “Now It Can Be Told.”

About This Song

“Now It Can Be Told” was written by Irving Berlin for the 1938 film Alexander’s Ragtime Band, where it was introduced by Don Ameche and Alice Faye. It was nominated for an Academy Award for best song (it lost to “Thanks For the Memory”), though the score for the film won the Academy Award. In addition to Tony Bennett’s recording, it has been recorded by Bing Crosby, The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, The Ray Noble Orchestra with Frankie Laine, and Teddy Wilson.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Now It Can Be Told” in 1987 for his album Bennett/Berlin. Bennett arranged the song for this recording.

Now It Can Be Told

Listen to Now It Can Be Told on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1987

“Now It Can Be Told,” as well as Bennett/Berlin, is available from Apple Music.