The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: The Kid’s a Dreamer

The song of the day for Thursday, August 27, 2020, is “The Kid’s a Dreamer.”

About This Song

“The Kid’s a Dreamer” was written in 1948 by Douglas Arthur and Herb Hendler. It was first recorded by Rosemary Clooney in 1949 and was a big hit for her. Joe Mooney also did a well-received recording.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Kid’s a Dreamer” in 1963 for the 1964 album The Many Moods of Tony. It was arranged by Dick Hyman. Bobby Hackett is featured on cornet.

“The Kid’s a Dreamer,” as well as , is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Sweet Lorraine

The song of the day for Wednesday, March 11, 2020, is “Sweet Lorraine.”

About This Song

“Sweet Lorraine” was written in 1928 by Cliff Burwell and Mitchell Parish. The song was originally a vaudeville song; the Rudy Valle recording made the song quite popular and a nice, up-tempo jazz number. Nat King Cole had a major hit with this song in 1940.

About This Version

I’ll let Tony tell the story about this recording:

That album, If I Ruled the World: Songs for the Jet Set, also included a song that’s always been very special to me: “Sweet Lorraine.” I dedicated it to Nat Cole, who had died a month earlier in April 1965. I was heartbroken when I heard that Nat had passed away. Bobby Hackett and I were working at the Palmer House in Chicago, and it seemed appropriate to pay tribute by recording Nat’s signature tune while we were in his hometown. Bobby, whose instrument was normally cornet, surprised us all by playing ukulele on this record; his buddy Joe Marsala played clarinet.

“Sweet Lorraine,” as well as If I Ruled the World: Songs for the Jet Set , is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: The Shining Sea

The song of the day for Saturday, July 6, 2019, is “The Shining Sea.”

About This Song

“The Shining Sea” was written by Johnny Mandel and Peggy Lee for the 1966 Cold War comedy The Russians Are Coming The Russians Are Coming. The film concerns a Russian submarine that gets trapped on high ground near a New England town. The town gossip causes mass hysteria, but all is well in the end.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Shining Sea” in 1966 for his album A Time For Love. Composer Mandel arranged and conducted the orchestra. The lovely cornet solo is by Bobby Hackett.

The Shining Sea – Remastered

The Shining Sea – Remastered, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“The Shining Sea,” as well as A Time For Love, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: The Very Thought of You

The song of the day for Sunday, January 7, 2018 is “The Very Thought of You.”

About This Song

This ballad by the British composer and band leader Ray Noble has been popular since it was written in 1934. Noble recorded it with his own orchestra; Bing Crosby also recorded it that same year. Other significant recordings include those by Frank Sinatra, Carmen McRae and Nat King Cole.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Very Thought of You” in 1965 for the album A Time For Love. This recording features Bobby Hackett, a long-time friend of Tony Bennett, on cornet.

The Very Thought Of You

Listen to The Very Thought Of You on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1966.


“The Very Thought of You,” as well as A Time For Love, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Sweet Lorraine

The song of the day for Tuesday, June 20, 2017 is “Sweet Lorraine.”

About This Song

“Sweet Lorraine” was written in 1928 by Cliff Burwell and Mitchell Parish. It was originally a vaudeville song; the Rudy Valle recording made the song quite popular and a nice, up-tempo jazz number. Nat King Cole had a major hit with this song in 1940.

About This Version

This lovely recording is from Bennett’s 1965 album If I Ruled The World: Songs for the Jet Set. It features Bobby Hackett on the ukulele and Hackett’s friend Joe Marsala on clarinet. It’s a very nice recording.

Sweet Lorraine

Listen to Sweet Lorraine on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1965.


“Sweet Lorraine,” as well as If I Ruled The World: Songs for the Jet Set, is available from iTunes.

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