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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

August 14, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Put On A Happy Face

The song of the day for Monday, August 15. 2022, is “Put On A Happy Face.”

About This Song

“Put on A Happy Face” was written by Charles Strouse and Lee Adams for the 1960 musical Bye, Bye Birdie, based loosely on the story of Elvis Presley being drafted into the Army in 1957.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Put On A Happy Face” on May 6, 1960, with an arrangement by Frank Devol. It was released as a single in 1960 and was added to Bennett’s 1962 compilation of Broadway songs he recorded between 1953 and 1961: Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits.

“Put On A Happy Face” as well as Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Bye Bye Birdie, Charles Strouse, Frank DeVol, Lee Adams, Mr Broadway: Tony's Greatest Broadway Hits, Tony Bennett

February 3, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Once Upon A Time

The song of the day for Friday, February 4, 2022, is “Once Upon A Time.”

About This Song

“Once Upon A Time” was written in 1962 by Charles Strouse and Lee Adams for the 1962 Ray Bolger musical All American, where it was introduced by Bolger and Eileen Herlie. While the musical was not a major smash hit, the song is quite lovely. In addition to Tony Bennett’s fine recording, it was also recorded by Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams, Howard Keel, Bobby Darrin, and Mandy Patinkin.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Once Upon A Time” in 1962 for the album I Left My In San Francisco. Marty Manning wrote the arrangement.

“Once Upon A Time,” as well as I Left My In San Francisco is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: All American, Charles Strouse, I Left My Heart in San Francisco, Lee Adams, Marty Manning, Tony Bennett

May 6, 2021 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Put On A Happy Face

The song of the day for Friday, May 6, 2021, is “Put On A Happy Face.”

About This Song

“Put On A Happy Face” was written by Charles Strouse and Lee Adams for the 1960 Broadway musical Bye, Bye Birdie, based loosely on the story of Elvis Presley being drafted into the Army in 1957.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Put On A Happy Face” 61 years ago today on May 6, 1960 for his album, Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits, released in 1962. Frank DeVol wrote the arrangement.

Put On A Happy Face

Listen to Put On A Happy Face on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1962.

“Put On A Happy Face,” as well as Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits, is available from Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Bye Bye Birdie, Charles Strouse, Frank DeVol, Lee Adams, Mr Broadway: Tony's Greatest Broadway Hits, Tony Bennett

May 23, 2020 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Tony Live! Once Upon a Time

The song of the day for Saturday, May 24, 2020, is “Once Upon a Time.”

About This Song

“Once Upon a Time” was written by Charles Strouse and Lee Adams for the 1962 Ray Bolger musical All American, where it was introduced by Bolger and Eileen Herlie. While the musical was not a major smash hit, the song is quite lovely. In addition to Tony Bennett’s fine recordings, it was also recorded by Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams, Howard Keel, Bobby Darrin, and Mandy Patinkin.

About This Version

Tony Bennett sang “Once Upon a Time” in 1964 at his appearance at The Sahara in Las Vegas. Recorded by the great Frank Laico, the set (including a comedy break with Milton Berle and Don Rickles), was released in 2011 on CD as Live at The Sahara: Las Vegas, 1964.

“Once Upon a Time,” as well as Live at The Sahara: Las Vegas, 1964, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day, Tony Live! Tagged With: Charles Strouse, Frank Laico, Lee Adams, Live at the Sahara: Las Vegas 1964, Tony Bennett

February 6, 2020 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Once Upon a Time

The song of the day for Friday, February 7, 2020, is “Once Upon a Time.”

About This Song

“Once Upon a Time” was written by Charles Strouse and Lee Adams for the 1962 Ray Bolger musical All American, where it was introduced by Bolger and Eileen Herlie. While the musical was not a major smash hit, the song is quite lovely. In addition to Tony Bennett’s fine recording, it was also recorded by Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams, Howard Keel, Bobby Darrin, and Mandy Patinkin.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Once Upon a Time” in 1962, featuring an arrangement by Marty Manning. In fact, “I Left My Heart In San Francisco” was recorded at the same session, also arranged by Marty Manning. It was decided to release the two songs on a 45 RPM single, with “Once Upon a Time” on the A-side; the thought was that “Once Upon a Time” might help sell the San Francisco song. Well, we all know how that turned out. “I Left My Heart In San Francisco” became the big hit and remains a hit to this day. I’ve been to fair number of Tony Bennett concerts and the reaction of the audience when Bennett sings “I left my heart …” is always an audible sound of love.

These two songs, as well as a number of other recordings by Bennett, were released on the 1962 album I Left My Heart In San Francisco.

“Once Upon a Time,” as well as I Left My Heart in San Francisco, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Charles Strouse, I Left My Heart in San Francisco, Lee Adams, Marty Manning, Tony Bennett

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