The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: I Won’t Dance

The song of the day for Saturday, August 22, 2015 is “I Won’t Dance.”

About This Song

“I Won’t Dance” was composed by Jerome Kern, with lyrics by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields. This song was originally written in 1934 for a London musical called Three Sisters with lyrics from Oscar Hammerstein and Otto Harbach, though the show was flop and was quickly forgotten. The following year, a film of Roberta was made, and the song was re-purposed, this time with the new Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields lyrics.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga recorded this song for their album Cheek To Cheek. They seem to be having a lot of fun singing this song, artfully arranged by Marion Evans.

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett was so excited to hear that Tony Bennett and Bill Charlap are releasing the Jerome Kern album next month. I’ve been humming Jerome Kern songs all day, so it’s only fitting to include one his songs. Today’s song is on the album. I’m also looking forward to hearing the recording of “All The Things You Are,” which Bennett sang at his 1962 Carnegie Hall concert, but has not recorded since. Well, actually, I’m looking forward to the entire album.

And because it’s Saturday, our video today is Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett singing today’s song from their Emmy-nominated special for PBS. And it has showgirls!

I Won"t Dance

Listen to I Won"t Dance on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga · 2014


“I Won’t Dance,” as well as , is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: They All Laughed

The song of the day for Friday, June 19, 2015 is “They All Laughed.”

About This Song

George and Ira Gershwin wrote “They All Laughed” in 1937 for the Fred Astaire film Shall We Dance. Mr. Bennett often performs this song in concert.

About This Version

I’m so glad that Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga included this song for this album. It’s a great Gershwin tune and I love that slightly self-deprecating lyric. The excellent arrangement is by — who else — Marion Evans.

About Today

Today is the first of four performances at Radio City Music Hall by Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga. Nick, a good friend of the blog, sent me this photograph that he took on recent trip to New York:

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They All Laughed

Listen to They All Laughed on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga · 2014


“They All Laughed,” as well as Cheek To Cheek, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: I Won’t Dance

The song of the day for Saturday, June 13, 2015 is “I Won’t Dance.”

About This Song

“I Won’t Dance” was written in 1934 by Jerome Kern. The original 1934 lyrics were by Oscar Hammerstein and Otto Harbach. The song was originally written for a London musical called Three Sisters, though the show was flop and was quickly forgotten. The following year, a film of Roberta was made, and the song was re-purposed, this time with the new Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields lyrics, which are used in today’s song.

About This Version

I absolutely adore this song and even more this version. Arranged by Marion Evans, this song swings like crazy. The first chords in the introduction really pops; the listener knows he or she is in for a great time. It’s a terrific sound and I want to jump up and dance every time I hear it.

I Won"t Dance

Listen to I Won"t Dance on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga · 2014


“I Won’t Dance,” as well as Cheek To Cheek, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Today is Saturday and that means a video. Today’s video is Tony and Lady Gaga singing today’s song from their PBS special, originally aired last fall. It has showgirls! I love showgirls!

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Song of the Day: Firefly

The song of the day for Monday, June 8, 2015 is “Firefly.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Firefly,” was written by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh in 1958 as an audition piece for the musical Gypsy (which went on to be written by Jule Styne, with lyrics by a 28 year old Stephen Sondheim).

About This Version

Tony Bennett first sang “Firefly” in 1958. After the producers decided to go with Jule Styne for the score, Coleman and Leigh gave the song to Tony Bennett, who recorded it twice in 1958, first a studio recording and later live with The Count Basie Orchestra. He also sang in on several recorded concerts including the 1962 Carnegie Hall Concert and the 1964 Live at The Sahara. It’s a great, funny song and this recording by Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga is lots of fun. The arrangement is by Steve Kortyka, who also plays the saxophone in Lady Gaga’s band.

About Today

This evening Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga perform the first of two concerts in London at The Royal Albert Hall. For our readers who are attending one of these concerts, have a great time!

Firefly

Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga · Cheek To Cheek (Deluxe) · Song · 2014


“Firefly,” as well as Cheek To Cheek, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Ev’rytime We Say Goodbye

The song of the day for Saturday, May 30, 2015 is “Ev’rytime We Say Goodbye.”

About This Song

“Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye” was written by Cole Porter for the 1944 Billy Rose musical revue Seven Lively Arts. The song is well known for the phrase “change from major to minor” as the song itself changed from A-flat major to A-flat minor, matching the lyric perfectly. It has always been a strong jazz standard. Significant recordings include those by Tony Bennett, Mabel Mercer, Sonny Rollins, Chet Baker, Sarah Vaughan and Dinah Washington.

About This Version

This song features Lady Gaga, who does a very nice job with the song. I love listening to her sing ballads and hope to hear more from her in their next album.

About Today

Tonight, Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett are the Hollywood Bowl for the first of two concerts. I’m sure that Lady Gaga will sing this wonderful Cole Porter song!

Ev"ry Time We Say Goodbye

Listen to Ev"ry Time We Say Goodbye on Spotify. Song · Lady Gaga · 2014


“Ev’rytime We Say Goodbye,” as well as Cheek To Cheek, is available from iTunes.

I’d also like to share Tony Bennett’s version of the same song, recorded in 1958 for Long Ago … And Far Away. The arrangement is from Frank DeVol.

https://open.spotify.com/track/1vm6EOJR6XVVMP0THJAzTn
“Ev’rytime We Say Goodbye,” as well as Long Ago … And Far Away, is available from iTunes.

Our Saturday video features Lady Gaga singing this song on the Jimmy Fallon show: