The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: In the Wee Small Hours

The song of the day for Wednesday, December 12, 2018, is “In the Wee Small Hours.”

Today we are celebrating the great singer Frank Sinatra, who was born 103 years ago on December 12, 1915.

About This Song

“In the Wee Small Hours” was written by David Mann and Bob Hilliard in 1955. This song is, of course, widely identified with Frank Sinatra, who anchored his well-received concept album In the Wee Small Hours around this song. Interestingly, the song almost didn’t get written. The two songwriters were working in Hilliard’s home in New Jersey. It was well past midnight and Mann was getting ready to leave for home in New York. Hilliard urged him to stay and Mann came up with the tune, to which Hilliard quickly wrote the lyrics.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “In the Wee Small Hours” in 1964; it was released in 1966 on the album A Time For Love.

In The Wee Small Hours – 2011 Remaster

In The Wee Small Hours – 2011 Remaster, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“In the Wee Small Hours,” as well as A Time For Love, is available from iTunes.

And, in honor of Frank Sinatra, here’s the first recording from his 1955 album In the Wee Small Hours.

In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning

In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning, a song by Frank Sinatra on Spotify

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Song of the Day: From The Candy Store on the Corner To The Chapel On The Hill

The song of the day for Sunday, July 23, 2017 is “From The Candy Store on the Corner To The Chapel On The Hill.”

About This Song

“From The Candy Store on the Corner To The Chapel On The Hill” was written in 1956 by Bob Hilliard.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “From The Candy Store on the Corner To The Chapel On The Hill” in 1956. It was arranged by Percy Faith and produced by Mitch Miller.

From The Candy Store On The Corner To The Chapel On The Hill

Listen to From The Candy Store On The Corner To The Chapel On The Hill on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2011


“From The Candy Store on the Corner To The Chapel On The Hill,” as well as all of the songs collected on The Columbia Singles, Vol. 4, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: In The Wee Small Hours

The song of the day for Wednesday, November 23, 2016 is “In The Wee Small Hours.”

About This Song

“In The Wee Small Hours” was written in 1955 by David Mann and Bob Hilliard. The song is, of course, widely identified with Frank Sinatra, who anchored his well-received concept album In the Wee Small Hours around this song. Interestingly, the song almost didn’t get written. The two songwriters were working in Hilliard’s home in New Jersey. It was well past midnight and Mann was getting ready to leave for home in New York. Hilliard urged him to stay and Mann came up with the tune, to which Hilliard quickly wrote the lyric.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “In The Wee Small Hours” in 1964 for his album A Time For Love. The arrangement is by Ralph Sharon.

In The Wee Small Hours

Listen to In The Wee Small Hours on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1966


“In The Wee Small Hours,” as well as A Time For Love, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: In The Wee Small Hours

The song of the day for Tuesday, April 15, 2014 is “In The Wee Small Hours.”

About This Song

“In The Wee Small Hours” was written in 1955 by composer David Mann and lyricist Bob Hilliard. The story behind the song is that Hilliard and Mann were working at Hilliard’s home in New Jersey. Mann wanted to leave to go to Manhattan but Hilliard insisted they keep working. And out of that came “In The Wee Small Hours.” Frank Sinatra recorded it as the title song for his album released in 1955. Other great recordings include those by Johnny Mathis, Astrud Gilberto and Johnny Hartman. And, of course, Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Today’s version comes from Bennett’s 1966 album A Time For Love. This song features the Ralph Sharon Trio. This album is full of really wonderful songs, some of which were arranged by the Ralph Burns. “Trapped in the Web of Love,” “My Funny Valentine,” “Georgia Rose” and “The Shining Sea” are jut a few of the terrific songs on this album. Well worth digging this out of the record cabinet for a listen.

In The Wee Small Hours

Listen to In The Wee Small Hours on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1966

“In The Wee Small Hours,” as well as the album A Time For Love, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: In The Wee Small Hours

The song of the day for Thursday, March 14, 2013 is In The Wee Small Hours.

About This Song

In The Wee Small Hours was written in 1955 by David Mann, with lyrics by Bob Hilliard. Appropriately, the song was written post-midnight in a songwriting session. This song served as the anchor for Frank Sinatra’s 1955 album of the same name; Sinatra’s recording is probably the best known of them all, but the song has been widely recorded by artists including Johnny Mathis, Johnny Hartman, Rosemary Clooney and Andy Williams.

About This Version

Up until today, I was most familiar with Tony Bennett’s version of In The Wee Small Hours from his 1992 tribute album to Frank Sinatra, Perfectly Frank. But I have been spending a lot of my listening time this week to Bennett’s work from the 1950s and 1960s and this version is from his 1966 album A Time For Love. With the accompaniment of the Ralph Sharon Trio, this recording is a true gem from this decade. In fact, the entire album is a true joy. If you have time, I recommend you pull it off the shelf, mix yourself a beverage, sit down and listen. Every song, and every recording, on this album is terrific.

http://open.spotify.com/track/1zE85y6BrBXDhmyCxmnPCq
In The Wee Small Hours, as well as the full A Time For Love album, is available from iTunes.