The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: (It’s Only) A Paper Moon

The song of the day for is “(It’s Only) A Paper Moon.”

About This Song

“(It’s Only) A Paper Moon” was written in 1933 by Harold Arlen, with lyrics by Yip Harburg and Billy Rose. Originally written for an unsuccessful play called The Great Magoo, this song was used in the 1933 movie Take a Chance. Paul Whiteman recorded it that year. There were two very fine recordings in the 1940s by Ella Fitzgerald and Nat King Cole, which sealed the popularity of the song. Since that time, it has been a popular and jazz favorite that has been widely recorded.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “(It’s Only) A Paper Moon” in The Playground, an album for children. The Ralph Sharon Quartet accompanied Bennett, with Sharon on piano, Gray Sargent on guitar, Paul Langosch on bass, and Clayton Cameron on drums.

“(It’s Only) A Paper Moon,” as well as The Playground, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I Wanna Be Loved

The song of the day for Thursday, April 17, 2024, is “I Wanna Be Loved.”

About Today

Today’s song, “I Wanna Be Loved,” was recorded on April 17, 1950, at Tony Bennett’s first recording session at Columbia Records. In addition to “I Wanna Be Loved,” Bennett recorded “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” Let’s Make Love,” and “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love.”

About This Song

“I Wanna Be Loved” was written in 1933 by Johnny Green, best known for “Body and Soul,” with lyrics by Edward Heyman and Billy Rose. While attending Harvard (he was admitted at the age of 15 in 1923), Green played trombone and did arrangements for Harvard’s Gold Coast Orchestra. Carmen Lombardo (Guy’s brother) hired him to write arrangements between semesters. Encouraged by his father to become a stockbroker, Green quit Wall Street and embarked on a musical career as a composer, arranger, band leader, and pianist. Green was a board member for ASCAP and chairman of the musical branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and conducted the orchestra for many Academy Award telecasts.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Wanna Be Loved” 75 years ago today, April 17, 1950. It was released on Bennett’s first single record as the B side to “Boulevard of Broken Dreams.” Marty Manning wrote the arrangement.

“I Wanna Be Loved,” as well as The Columbia Singles, Vol. 1, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: It’s Only a Paper Moon

The song of the day for Thursday, January 34, 2025, is “It’s Only a Paper Moon.”

About This Song

“It’s Only a Paper Moon” was composed by Harold Arlen, with lyrics by Yip Harburg and Billy Rose. The song was originally written for an unsuccessful play called The Great Magoo, it song was used in the 1933 movie Take a Chance. Paul Whiteman recorded it that year. There were two very fine recordings in the 1940s by Ella Fitzgerald and Nat “King” Cole, which sealed the popularity of the song. Since that time, it has been a popular jazz favorite that has been widely recorded.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “It’s Only a Paper Moon” in June 1998 for his album for children, The Playground. He was accompanied by the Ralph Sharon Quartet, featuring Sharon on piano, Gray Sargent on guitar, Paul Langosch on bass, and Clayton Cameron on drums.

“It’s Only a Paper Moon,” as well as The Playground, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Without A Song

The song of the day for Thursday, December 5, 2024, is “Without A Song.”

About This Song

“Without A Song” was written in 1926 by Vincent Youmans (music) and Billy Rose and Edward Eliscu (lyrics). It was written for the 1929 musical Great Day. It has been recorded by artists from Perry Como to Mario Lanza to Frank Sinatra. Great Day was set in 19th-century Louisiana; as a result, some of the lyrics have been changed over time to remove currently objectionable language.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Without A Song” on September 12, 1956, for Bennett’s second album Tony, released in 1957.

“Without A Song,” as well as Tony, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: It’s Only A Paper Moon

The song of the day for Wednesday, October 9, 2024, is “It’s Only A Paper Moon.”

About This Song

“It’s Only A Paper Moon” was written in 1933 by Harold Arlen, with lyrics by Yip Harburg and Billy Rose. Originally written for an unsuccessful play called The Great Magoo, this song was used in the 1933 movie Take a Chance. Paul Whiteman recorded it that year. There were two very fine recordings in the 1940s by Ella Fitzgerald and Nat King Cole, which sealed the popularity of the song. Since that time, it has been a popular and jazz favorite that has been widely recorded.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “It’s Only A Paper Moon” in June 1998 for his album for children, The Playground.

“It’s Only A Paper Moon,” as well as The Playground, is available on Apple Music.