An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett
The song of the day for Saturday, October 30, 2021, is “You’re The Top.”
Cole Porter wrote “You’re The Top” for his 1934 musical You’re The Top, where it was introduced by Ethel Merman. It’s one of Porter’s best list songs. Wikipedia has a handy guide for the people and items mentioned in the song.
Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga recorded “You’re The Top” in 2021 for their album Love For Sale.
“You’re The Top,” as well as Love For Sale is available on Apple Music.
The song of the day for Tuesday, October 26, 2021, is “I Get a Kick Out of You.”
“I Get a Kick Out of You” was written for Porter’s 1934 musical Anything Goes, where it was introduced by Ethel Merman. It’s been popular since then and has been recorded by artists including Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Anita O’Day, Max Roach, and many more. The original lyrics reference the use of cocaine (I get no kick from cocaine), and that particular line in the lyric is often rewritten, often to champagne.
Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga recorded “I Get a Kick Out of You” for their 2021 album Love For Sale. The arrangement is by Marion Evans, who conducted the big band. They are also accompanied by The Tony Bennett Quartet.
“I Get a Kick Out of You,” as well as Love For Sale is available on Apple Music.
The song of the day for Monday, October 18, 2021, is “So In Love.”
Cole Porter wrote “So In Love” for his 1948 for his Broadway musical Kiss Me Kate, where it was introduced by Patricia Morison, who played the role of Kate. This song has been widely recorded, by artists including Julie Andrews, Chick Corea, Placido Domingo, Eddie Fisher, Ella Fitzgerald, and Peggy Lee.
Tony Bennett recorded “So In Love” for his 2021 album with Lady Gaga, Love For Sale. Bennett is accompanied by his quartet and the orchestra. His quartet is comprised of Tom Ranier on piano, Gray Sargent on guitar, Marshall Wood on bass, and Harold Jones on drums. Jorge Calendrelli wrote the arrangement.
So In Love
Listen to So In Love on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2021
“So In Love,” as well as Love For Sale is available on Apple Music.
The song of the day for Thursday, October 14, 2021, is “Let’s Do It.”
Cole Porter wrote “Let’s Do It” in 1928 for his first Broadway musical, Paris. It’s one of Porter’s list songs, a form that he excelled at. The song has been widely recorded, starting in 1929 with the Dorsey Brothers and Bing Crosby and Rudy Vallee and His Connecticut Yankees and steadily throughout the 92 years since it was written.
Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett recorded “Let’s Do It” for their 2021 album Love For Sale, accompanied by The Brian Newman Quintet. I adore this recording, mainly because the first time I’ve ever heard the verse sung and Lady Gaga knocks the verse out of the park!
Let"s Do It
Listen to Let"s Do It on Spotify. Song · Lady Gaga · 2021
“Let’s Do It,” as well as Love For Sale is available on Apple Music.
The song of the day for Monday, October 11, 2021, is “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.”
Cole Porter wrote “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” in 1936 for the film musical Born To Dance, where it was introduced by Virginia Bruce. The song was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song, but lost to “The Way You Look Tonight.” This song has been recorded many times since it was written. Of particular note are the 1956 Frank Sinatra recording on Songs for Swinging Lovers! and Diana Krall’s live recording in Live In Paris, released in 2002.
Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga recorded “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” for their 2021 album of Cole Porter songs, Love For Sale. Friend of this blog, Marion Evans, wrote the arrangement and conducted the big band. Evans’ first album with Tony Bennett was in 1967 for Tony Makes It Happen!
I"ve Got You Under My Skin
Listen to I"ve Got You Under My Skin on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga · 2021
“I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” as well as Love For Sale is available on Apple Music.