The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Somebody Loves Me

The song of the day for Wednesday, May 17, 2023, is “Somebody Loves Me.”

About This Song

“Somebody Loves Me” was written by George Gershwin, with lyrics by Ballard MacDonald and Buddy DeSylva, for the 1924 George White’s Scandals. It has been widely recorded since its first publication, with recordings from 1924. Significant recordings include those by Dinah Shore, Lena Horne, Diana Washington, Peggy Lee, Duke Ellington, Nat King Cole, and many more.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded “Somebody Loves Me” for their 2018 album Love Is Here To Stay. Krall and Bill Charlap wrote the arrangement.

Love Is Here To Stay won the 61st Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

“Somebody Loves Me,” as well as Love Is Here To Stay is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I Left My Heart in San Francisco

The song of the day for Thursday, May 4, 2023, is “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.”

About Today

Today we remember Douglass Cross, who wrote the lyrics for “I Left My Heart In San Francisco.” Cross was born on May 4, 1920, and died on January 7, 1975. He and his partner, George Cory, were from San Francisco and had moved to New York to better their chances as songwriters.

About This Song

“I Left My Heart in San Francisco” was written in 1953 by Douglass Cross and George Cory.

This song is, of course, Tony Bennett’s signature song. It actually became that quite by accident. As Bennett’s musical director, songwriters were constantly giving Ralph Sharon copies of their songs. Cross and Cory had done that and Sharon had stuck the song in a drawer and forgotten all about it. In 1961, he and Bennett were heading out on tour, which included a stop in San Francisco at The Venetian Room at the Fairmont Hotel on Nob Hill. Sharon came across the music and thought it might be a nice local number for the San Francisco audience.

After a performance in Hot Springs, Arkansas, they found a piano and started to work on the song a bit. An early fan was the bartender, who said he’d buy the first copy if they ever decided to record it. Of course, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” was a huge hit at the performance, and in January 1962, Bennett recorded it and released it on a 45 RPM record on the B-side to “Once Upon a Time.” But gradually, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” started getting all the airplay and it became a major hit for Bennett, winning him his first Grammy Award. It is his signature song and is beloved by all of his fans.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Charlap made the first studio recording of “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” since the original 1962 single that hit the world by storm. The recording was included on the 2006 album Duets: An American Classic.

“I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” as well as Duets: An American Classic is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Last Time I Saw Paris

The song of the day for Friday, April 21, 2023, is “The Last Time I Saw Paris.”

About This Song

“The Last Time I Saw Paris” was written in 1940 by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein. Unlike many songs by Jerome Kern, it wasn’t written specifically for a film or Broadway musical. However, it was used in the 1941 film Lady Be Good, where it was sung by Ann Sothern; the song won the Academy Award for best song that year. the song also inspired the 1954 film of the same name, starring Elizabeth Taylor and Van Johnson. Significant recordings include those by Kate Smith, Bud Powell, Dinah Shore, Dean Martin, and Connie Francis.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Last Time I Saw Paris” for his 2015 album The Silver Lining: The Songs Of Jerome Kern. For this song, Bennett is accompanied by Bill Charles, who wrote the arrrangement, and Renee Rosnes on dual pianos.

“The Last Time I Saw Paris,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs Of Jerome Kern is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Do It Again

The song of the day for Saturday, March 25, 2023, is “Do It Again.”

About This Song

“Do It Again” was written in 1922 by George Gershwin and Buddy DeSylva. Gershwin was in a meeting with his publisher, Max Dreyfus when DeSylva walked in and said “Let’s write a hit!” Gershwin started composing on the spot. DeSylva listened for a few minutes and then sang “Oh, do it again.” Gershwin played the song at parties when it was heard by Irene Bordoni, who wanted to perform it in her show The French Doll. It’s been widely recorded, including a wonderful Judy Garland recording from her 1961 concert at Carnegie Hall, released on Judy at Carnegie Hall.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded “Do It Again” for their album Love Is Here To Stay. Bill Charlap wrote the arrangement.

“Do It Again,” as well as Love Is Here To Stay is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I’ve Got a Crush on You

The song of the day for Friday, March 24, 2023, is “I’ve Got a Crush on You.”

About This Song

“I’ve Got a Crush on You” was written by George and Ira Gershwin for the 1928 musical Treasure Girl, where it was introduced by Clifton Webb and May Hay and again in 1930 for Strike Up The Band, where it was sung by Doris Caron and Gordon Smith. It’s been widely sung jazz vocalists, including Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, and Ella Fitzgerald.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded “I’ve Got a Crush on You” for their 2018 album Love Is Here To Stay. Bill Charlap wrote the arrangement.

“I’ve Got a Crush on You,” as well as Love Is Here To Stay is available on Apple Music.

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