The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Dream Dancing

The song of the day for Wednesday, May 29, 2024, is “Dream Dancing.”

About This Song

“Dream Dancing” was written by Cole Porter for the 1941 movie You’ll Never Get Rich, though it was introduced only in its instrumental form. The first recording of the song, with lyrics) was made the same yearby Fred Astaire in the same year and The Delta Rhythm Boys. Other recordings include those by Ella Fitzgerald, Zoot Zims with Jimmy Rowles, and Mel Tormé.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “Dream Dancing” in September 1976. This song was not included on the original LP release of Together Again but was included on the 1999 Rhino CD release.

“Dream Dancing,” as well as Together Again, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: When In Rome

The song of the day for Sunday, March 24, 2024, is “When In Rome.”

About This Song

“When In Rome” was written in 1964 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh.

In the year 2000, as part of his 70th birthday celebration at the Library of Congress, Stephen Sondheim chose a list of ‘Songs I Wish I Had Written (At Least in Part).’ On this list were several songs by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh, most of which Tony Bennett recorded, including “When In Rome.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “When In Rome” in June 1975 for their first album, The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album.

“When In Rome,” as well as The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: When In Rome

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 6, 2024, is “When In Rome.”

About This Song

“When In Rome” was written in 1964 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh.
In 2000, as part of his 70th birthday celebration at the Library of Congress, Stephen Sondheim chose a list of ‘Songs I Wish I Had Written (At Least in Part).’ On this list were several songs by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh, most of which Tony Bennett recorded, including “When In Rome.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “When In Rome” in June 1975 for The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album.

“When In Rome,” as well as The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: My Foolish Heart

The song of the day for Wednesday, February 21, 2024, is “My Foolish Heart.”

About This Song

“My Foolish Heart” was written by Victor Young and Ned Washington for the 1949 film of the same name, based on a J.D. Salinger short story, Time Magazine excoriated the score: “Nothing offsets the blight of such tear-splashed excesses as the bloop-bleep-bloop of a sentimental ballad on the soundtrack.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “My Foolish Heart” in June 1975 for The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album.

“My Foolish Heart,” as well as The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: You Must Believe In Spring

The song of the day for Monday, January 15, 2024, is “You Must Believe In Spring.”

About This Song

“You Must Believe In Spring” was written for the 1967 film Les Demoiselles de Rochefort by Michel Legrand, with the original French lyrics by Jacques Demy; the English lyrics were written by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. The song has been widely recorded by artists including Sylvia Syms, Barbra Streisand, and Bill Evans, in a posthumous release of an album with the same name, featuring sessions with Eddie Gomez and Eliot Zigmund.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “You Must Believe In Spring” in September 1976 for their second album, Together Again.

“You Must Believe In Spring,” as well as Together Again, is available on Apple Music.

I found this clip from Les Demoiselles de Rochefort where today’s song (“La Chanson de Maxence”) is sung. Click here to view the clip on YouTube.

I also found this recording of Tony Bennett singing today’s song live, with Michel Legrand on piano and with John Williams conducting.

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