The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Close Your Eyes

The song of the day for Saturday, April 5, 2025, is “Close Your Eyes.”

About This Song

“Close Your Eyes” was written by Bernice Petkere in 1933. Petkere was named by Irving Berlin as the “Queen of Tin Pan Alley.” A vaudeville performer as a child, she sold her first song in 1931, “Starlight,” recorded by Bing Crosby. “Close Your Eyes” is her most well-known song. The song started getting jazz treatments in the 1950s, starting with a great duet from Coleman Hawkins and Milt Jackson.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Close Your Eyes” 64 years ago today on April 5, 1961, for his album My Heart Sings. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement and conducted the band, which had several notable players, including Milt Hinton and Zoot Sims.

“Close Your Eyes,” as well as My Heart Sings, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Close Your Eyes

The song of the day for Sunday, January 26, 2025, is “Close Your Eyes.”

About This Song

“Close Your Eyes” was written in 1933 by Bernice Petkere. Petkere was named by Irving Berlin as the “Queen of Tin Pan Alley.” A vaudeville performer as a child, she sold her first song in 1931, “Starlight,” recorded by Bing Crosby. “Close Your Eyes” is her most well-known song. The song started getting jazz treatments in the 1950s, starting with a great duet from Coleman Hawkins and Milt Jackson.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Close Your Eyes” on April 5, 1961, for the album My Heart Sings. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangements and conducted the entire album.

“Close Your Eyes,” as well as My Heart Sings, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Close You Eyes

The song of the day for Sunday, September 22, 2024, is “Close Your Eyes.”

About This Song

“Close Your Eyes” was written in 1933 by Bernice Petkere. Petkere was named by Irving Berlin as the “Queen of Tin Pan Alley.” A vaudeville performer as a child, she sold her first song in 1931, “Starlight,” recorded by Bing Crosby. “Close Your Eyes” is her most well-known song. The song started getting jazz treatments in the 1950s, starting with a great duet from Coleman Hawkins and Milt Jackson.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Close Your Eyes” on July 31, 1953; the recording was released in 1956 in the Columbia collection Because Of You and again in Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1, released in 2011 in The Complete Collection box set. This version was arranged by Gil Evans and features The Pastels on background vocals.

“Close Your Eyes,” as well as Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Close Your Eyes

The song of the day for Friday, March 8, 2024, is “Close Your Eyes.”

About This Song

“Close Your Eyes” was written in 1933 by Bernice Petkere. Petkere was named by Irving Berlin as the “Queen of Tin Pan Alley.” A vaudeville performer as a child, she sold her first song in 1931, “Starlight,” recorded by Bing Crosby. “Close Your Eyes” is her most well-known song. The song started getting jazz treatments in the 1950s, starting with a great duet from Coleman Hawkins and Milt Jackson.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Close Your Eyes” on April 5, 1961, for his album My Heart Sings. Ralph Burns arranged and conducted the entire album.

“Close Your Eyes,” as well as My Heart Sings, is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Close Your Eyes

The song of the day for Wednesday, December 13, 2023, is “Close Your Eyes.”

About This Song

“Close Your Eyes” was written by Bernice Petkere in 1933. Petkere was named by Irving Berlin as the “Queen of Tin Pan Alley.” A vaudeville performer as a child, she sold her first song in 1931, “Starlight,” recorded by Bing Crosby. “Close Your Eyes” is her most well-known song. The song started getting jazz treatments in the 1950s, starting with a great duet from Coleman Hawkins and Milt Jackson.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Close Your Eyes” on April 5, 1961, for his album My Heart Sings. It was arranged and conducted by Ralph Burns. Burns put together a very fine band, including Milt Hinton and Zoot Sims.

“Close Your Eyes,” as well as My Heart Sings, is available on Apple Music.