The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Old Devil Moon

The song of the day for Monday, October 6, 2025, 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 American 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” on August 6, 1954, for Cloud 7, his first LP album, released in 1955. Chuck Wayne, who played guitar on the album, wrote the arrangement.

“Old Devil Moon,” as well as Cloud 7, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: While the Music Plays On

The song of the day for Monday, August 11, 2025, is “While the Music Plays On.”

About This Song

“While the Music Plays On” was written in 1939 by Emery “Eddie” Heim (1919-1946) and Lupin Fein. Heim was born in Budapest, Hungary, and attended the Academy of Music there. In 1939, he moved to the United States and served in the Army Special Services during World War II. His papers are archived at the UCLA Library Special Collections, Performing Arts. Fein was a lyricist whose songs include Lupin Fein and “Don’t Know If I’m Comin’ or Goin'” and “Slow Freight.” Other recordings of “While the Music Plays On” include those by Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra with Helen O’Connell and Bob Eberly, and Les Brown and His Orchestra with Doris Day.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “While the Music Plays On” 71 years ago on August 11, 1954, for his first LP album, Cloud 7, released in 1955. Chuck Wayne, who played guitar on the album, wrote the arrangement.

Cloud 7 was one of the earliest 12″ LP albums made at Columbia Records, with the official number CL-621.

“While the Music Plays On,” as well as Cloud 7, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Darn That Dream

The song of the day for Sunday, March 9, 2025, is “Darn That Dream.”

About This Song

“Darn That Dream” was written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Eddie De Lange 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” on August 11, 1954, for his first studio LP, Cloud 7, released in 1955. The song was arranged by Chuck Wayne, who played guitar on the album.

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

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Song of the Day: I Fall In Love Too Easily

The song of the day for Tuesday, February 25, 2025, 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 Aweigh, where it was introduced by Frank Sinatra. It was 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” on August 6, 1954, for his first jazz album Cloud 7, released 70 years ago today on February 25, 1955. Chuck Wayne, who played guitar on the album, wrote the arrangement.

“I Fall In Love Too Easily,” as well as Cloud 7, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: While The Music Plays On

The song of the day for Tuesday, September 10, 2024, is “While The Music Plays On.”

About This Song

“While The Music Plays On” was written in 1939 by Emery “Eddie” Heim, with lyrics by Irving Mills and Lupin Fein. Emery Heim was born in Budapest and moved to America in 1939. He served in the US Army, Special Services, during World War II.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “While The Music Plays On” on August 11, 1954, for his album Cloud 7, released in 1955. Chuck Wayne, who played trumpet on this album, wrote the arrangement.

“While The Music Plays On,” as well as Cloud 7, is available on Apple Music.