The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: When In Rome

The song of the day for Tuesday, April 18, 2023, 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 has 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: You Must Believe in Spring

The song of the day for Sunday, March 19, 2023, is “You Must Believe in Spring.”

About This Song

“You Must Believe In Spring” was written by Michel Legrand, with English lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman, for the 1967 French film Les Demoiselles de Rochefort, which starred Catherine Deneuve. “You Must Believe In Spring” 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, released in 1977.

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

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Song of the Day: My Foolish Heart

The song of the day for Wednesday, March 8, 2023, is “My Foolish Heart.”

About This Song

“My Foolish Heart” was by Victor Young and Ned Washington in 1949 for a widely-panned 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 their first album 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: But Beautiful

The song of the day for Monday, February 6, 2023, is “But Beautiful.”

About This Song

“But Beautiful” was written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke for the 1947 movie The Road to Rio, where it was sung by Bing Crosby. The song has been widely recorded, including recordings by Bill Evans, Johnny Hartman, Billie Holiday, Gregory Porter, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “But Beautiful” in June 1975 for their album The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album.

“But Beautiful,” as well as The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: A Child Is Born

The song of the day for Sunday, December 25, 2022, the 12th day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, is “A Child Is Born.”

About This Song

“A Child Is Born” was written in 1969 by Thad Jones, with lyrics by Alec Wilder. Thad Jones, whose younger brother, Elvin, was a noted jazz drummer. Thad Jones was a member of the Count Basie Orchestra starting in 1954. He left the orchestra in 1963 to pursue a career as an arranger and studio trumpet player and later moved to Denmark. “A Child Is Born” is his best-known composition; the wonderful lyrics are by Alec Wilder.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “A Child Is Born” in September 1976 for their second album, Together Again, released in 1977 on Bennett’s Improv Label.

“A Child Is Born,” as well as Together Again is available on Apple Music.

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