The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Darn That Dream

The song of the day for Thursday, January 7, 2021, is “Darn That Dream.”

About This Song

“Darn That Dream” was written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Eddie DeLange for the 1939 musical Swingin’ the Dream, an adaptation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer’s Night Dream. The cast had many big names: Louis Armstrong playing Bottom, Maxine Sullivan as Titania, Bill Bailey, and Dorothy Dandridge. It only ran for 13 performances and is considered to be a flop. Fortunately, “Darn That Dream” proved to be a big hit and earned some money for the investors.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Darn That Dream” in 1954 for his first jazz album, Cloud 7, released in 1955. Chuck Wayne wrote the arrangement.

Darn That Dream

Listen to Darn That Dream on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1955.

“Darn That Dream,” as well as Cloud 7, is available from Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: I Fall In Love Too Easily

The song of the day for Thursday, September 28, 2020, is “I Fall In Love Too Easily.”

About This Song

“I Fall in Love Too Easily” was written in 1944 by Jule Styne, with lyrics by Sammy Cahn. It was written for the 1945 movie Anchors Away, where it was introduced by Frank Sinatra. It nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song but lost to “It Might As Well Be Spring” by Rodgers and Hammerstein. It is a well-respected jazz standard, with recordings by Miles Davis, Chet Baker, Anita O’Day, and Johnny Hartman.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Fall in Love Too Easily” in 1954 for his album Cloud 7. Chuck Wayne wrote the arrangement.

“I Fall In Love Too Easily,” as well as Cloud 7, is available from iTunes.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Old Devil Moon

The song of the day for Tuesday, February 26, 2020, is “Old Devil Moon.”

About This Song

“Old Devil Moon” was written by Burton Lane and Yip Harburg for the 1947 musical Finian’s Rainbow, which also gave us “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?” While Alec Wilder was no fan of “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?”, in America Popular Song he praises “Old Devil Moon” as “a well-written, wholly convincing song. It drives, and its initial intensity is sustained throughout.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Old Devil Moon” for his first album, Cloud 7, which is marking its 65th anniversary this week. The arrangement was written by Chuck Wayne, who also played guitar on the album.

“Old Devil Moon,” as well as Cloud 7, is available from iTunes.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Old Devil Moon

The song of the day for Thursday, October 3, 2019, is “Old Devil Moon.”

About This Song

“Old Devil Moon” was written by Burton Lane and Yip Harburg for the 1947 musical Finian’s Rainbow, which also gave us “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?” While Alec Wilder was no fan of “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?”, in America Popular Song, he praises “Old Devil Moon” as “a well-written, wholly convincing song. It drives, and its initial intensity is sustained throughout.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Old Devil Moon” for his first LP album, Cloud 7, released in 1955. Guitarist Chuck Wayne wrote the arrangement. Cloud 7 was jazz album that defined Tony Bennett as the singer he was, not what the studio says it was. It was a remarkable first album for this, or any, singer.

“Old Devil Moon,” as well as Cloud 7, is available from iTunes.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: I Fall In Love Too Easily

The song of the day for Monday, June 17, 2019, is “I Fall In Love Too Easily.”

About This Song

“I Fall In Love Too Easily” was written by Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn for the 1945 movie Anchors Away, where it was introduced by Frank Sinatra. It nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song, but lost to “It Might As Well Be Spring” by Rodgers and Hammerstein. It is a well-respected jazz standard, with recordings by Miles Davis, Chet Baker, Anita O’Day, and Johnny Hartman.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Fall In Love Too Easily” in 1954 for his first long-playing album, Cloud 7, released in 1955. It was arranged by Chuck Wayne.

I Fall In Love Too Easily

I Fall In Love Too Easily, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“I Fall In Love Too Easily,” as well as Cloud 7, is available from iTunes.

Subscribe to The Year of Tony Bennett

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Current Reader Favorites