The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Crazy She Calls Me

The song of the day for Tuesday, June 13, 2017 is “Crazy She Calls Me.”

About This Song

Originally called “Crazy He Calls Me,” this song was written in 1949 by Carl Sigman and Bob Russell; it is widely associated with Billie Holiday, but has been sung by many artists, including Peggy Lee, Dinah Washington and Aretha Franklin.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Crazy She Calls Me” in June 1996 for his album Tony Bennett On Holiday, which was released in 1997.

Crazy She Calls Me

Tony Bennett · Tony Bennett On Holiday: A Tribute To Billie Holiday · Song · 1997


“Crazy She Calls Me,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Crazy She Calls Me

The song of the day for Wednesday, April 6, 2016 is “Crazy She Calls Me.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Crazy She Calls Me,” was written in 1949 by Carl Sigman, with lyrics by Bob Russell. This song was made famous by Billie Holiday, who recorded it in October, 1949.

Originally called “Crazy He Calls Me,” he is changed to she when sung by a man. In addition to Billie Holiday’s recording of this song, it has also been recorded by Peggy Lee, Dinah Washington and Aretha Franklin.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Crazy She Calls Me” in 1996 for his album Tony Bennett On Holiday, released in 1977. The arrangement is by Jorge Calandrelli.

Crazy She Calls Me

Tony Bennett · Tony Bennett On Holiday: A Tribute To Billie Holiday · Song · 1997


“Crazy She Calls Me,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Funny Thing

The song of the day for March 9, 2016 is “Funny Thing.”

About This Song

“Funny Thing” was written in 1954 by Jimmy Van Heusen (writing as Arthur Williams) with lyrics by Carl Sigman.

In his autobiography, The Good Life, Tony Bennett wrote

I was especially fond of a song I recorded that year called “Funny Thing,” which was credited to the excellent lyricist Carl Sigman and a little-known composer named ‘Arthur Williams’. Actually, ‘Arthur Williams’ was a pseudonym for publishing reasons by the great tunesmith and my great friend Jimmy Van Heusen. … I thought “Funny Thing” was a great song and a likely hit, and I was disappointed when it didn’t go anywhere.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Funny Thing” in 1954; it was released as a single that year.

Funny Thing

Tony Bennett · The Columbia Singles, Vol. 3 · Song · 2011


“Funny Thing,” as well as all the singles collected on The Columbia Singles, Vol. 3, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Crazy She Calls Me

The song of the day for Thursday, December 31, 2015 is “Crazy She Calls Me.”

About This Song

Today’s song was written in 1949 by Carl Sigman and Bob Russell. Originally called “Crazy He Calls Me,” he is changed to she when sung by a man. In addition to Billie Holiday’s recording of this song, it has also been recorded by Peggy Lee, Dinah Washington and Aretha Franklin.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Crazy She Calls Me” in 1996 for the album Tony Bennett On Holiday, released in 1997. The arrangement is by Jorge Calandrelli.

Crazy She Calls Me

Tony Bennett · Tony Bennett On Holiday: A Tribute To Billie Holiday · Song · 1997


“Crazy She Calls Me,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Funny Thing

The song of the day for Wednesday, September 9, 2015 is “Funny Thing.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Funny Thing,” was composed by Jimmy Van Heusen (as Arthur Williams) with lyrics by Carl Sigman.

In his autobiography, The Good Life, Tony Bennett wrote “I was especially fond of a song I recorded that year called “Funny Thing,” which was credited to the excellent lyricist Carl Sigman and a little-known composer named ‘Arthur Williams.’ Actually, ‘Arthur Williams’ was a pseudonym for publishing reasons by the great tunesmith and my great friend Jimmy Van Heusen. … I thought “Funny Thing” was a great song and a likely hit, and I was disappointed when it didn’t go anywhere.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Funny Thing” on September 24, 1954. The song was arranged and conducted by Percy Faith. It was released as single on November 8, 1954 with “Shoo-Gah (My Pretty Sugar)” on the flip side.

Funny Thing

Tony Bennett · The Columbia Singles, Vol. 3 · Song · 2011


“Funny Thing,” as well as all of the songs collected on The Columbia Singles, Vol. 3, is available from iTunes.

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