The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Love For Sale

The song of the day for Tuesday, December 11, 2018, is “Love For Sale.”

About This Song

“Love For Sale” was written by Cole Porter in 1930 for the Broadway musical The New Yorkers. The song was sung by a prostitute advertising her services and was considered rather scandalous at the time. In fact, for the production of The New Yorkers, it was supposed to be sung by the white star Kathryn Crawford, but the song was assigned to an African-American singer instead. In spite of being banned from play on the radio, “Love For Sale” has had many fine recordings, including those by Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, and Miles Davis.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Love For Sale” for his 1957 album The Beat of My Heart. This album featured noted percussionists and drummers; this recording featured Candido, Sabu, and Bennett’s regular drummer Billy Exiner.

Love for Sale

Love for Sale, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“Love For Sale,” as well as The Beat of My Heart, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: It Could Happen To You

The song of the day for Wednesday, July 24, 2018 is “It Could Happen To You.”

About This Song

“It Could Happen To You” was written the great songwriting team of Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke for the 1944 movie And The Angels Sing, starring Dorothy Lamour. It was first recorded by Jo Stafford. Other recordings include those by Nat King Cole, Dinah Washington, Dave Brubeck, Miles Davis and Rosemary Clooney.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this song in 1964 album When Lights Are Low. The album features the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass and Billy Exiner on drums.

It Could Happen To You

Listen to It Could Happen To You on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1964


“It Could Happen To You,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: It Had To Be You

The song of the day for Saturday, June 23, 2018 is “It Had To Be You.”

About This Song

“It Had To Be You” was written in 1924, with music by Isham Jones and lyrics by Gus Kahn. It’s a popular standard with many fine recordings, including those by Paul Whiteman, Cliff Edwards and Frank Sinatra. It has also be used in several fims, such as Casablanca and Annie Hall.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “It Had To Be You” in 1964 for his album When Lights Are Low, featuring the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Billy Exiner on drums and Hal Gaylord on bass.

It Had To Be You

Listen to It Had To Be You on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1964


“It Had To Be You,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Tony Bennett is well-known for his volunteerism and charitable contributions. He is well-known for his appearances at fund raisers. Today we have a video from a televised Muscular Dystrophy Association telethon. I’m not sure of the date, but my guess it’s from the late 1970s or early 1980s.

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Song of the Day: Speak Low

The song of the day for Friday, May 25, 2018 is “Speak Low.”

About This Song

“Speak Low” was written by Kurt Weill and Ogden Nash for the 1943 Broadway musical One Touch of Venus, where it was introduced by Mary Martin and Kenny Baker. In addition to several very fine Tony Bennett recordings, “Speak Low” has been widely recorded by jazz and popular performers, including Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Lena Horne.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded today’s version of “Speak Low” in 1964 with the Ralph Sharon Trio (with Sharon on piano, Billy Exiner on drums and Hal Gaylord on bass) for the album When Lights Are Low.

Speak Low

Listen to Speak Low on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1964


“Speak Low,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Limehouse Blues

The song of the day for Tuesday, May 8, 2018 is “Limehouse Blues.”

About This Song

“Limehouse Blues” was written in 1922 by Philip Braham and Douglas Furber for the London review Andre Charlot’s Revue of 1924, which was imported to New York and introduced Gertrude Lawrence to America.The song concerns life in London’s Chinatown. The song has a standard place in the jazz repertory, with recordings by Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Django Reinhardt, Sidney Bechet and the Dave Brubeck Quartet in addition to this recording by Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Limehouse Blues” in 1963 for the 1964 album The Many Moods of Tony. Dick Hyman played the organ for this recording, joining the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass and Billy Exiner on drums.

Limehouse Blues

Tony Bennett · The Many Moods Of Tony · Song · 1964


“Limehouse Blues,” as well as The Many Moods of Tony, is available from iTunes.

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