The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep

The song of the day for Thursday, April 25, 2016 is “Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep.”

About This Song

Tony Bennett’s was the first recording of this song and it was well-received. Billboard reviewed the song in the April 28, 1958 edition: “Top side is a lovely new Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh ballad that is given a beautiful rendition by the artist. … Very spinable wax.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep” in early April, 1958, with a Frank DeVol arrangement.

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep

Listen to Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2011


“Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep,” as well as all the singles on The Columbia Singles, Vol. 5, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: The Riviera

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 22, 2016 is “The Riviera.”

About This Song

“The Riviera” is one of Cy Coleman’s early songs, written in 1956 with lyrics by Joseph McCarthy, Jr. Popular versions of this song are those by Mabel Mercer and Blossom Dearie.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Riviera” in 1971 for his album With Love. The arrangement came from Robert Farnon.

The Riviera

Listen to The Riviera on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1972


“The Riviera,” as well as With Love, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: I’ve Got Your Number

The song of the day for Sunday, August 21, 2016 is “I’ve Got Your Number.”

About This Song

“I’ve Got Your Number” is from the 1962 Broadway musical Little Me, the second musical that Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh wrote (the first being Wildcat, written for Lucille Ball). Little Me starred Sid Caesar and Virginia Martin, both of whom introduced “I’ve Got Your Number.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’ve Got Your Number” in 1962 for the album I Wanna Be Around, released in 1963. The arrangement is by Marty Manning. “I’ve Got Your Number” is just one of the many Broadway-bound songs that Bennett recorded, starting with “Stranger in Paradise.”

I"ve Got Your Number

Listen to I"ve Got Your Number on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1963


“I’ve Got Your Number,” as well as I Wanna Be Around, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Firefly

The song of the day for Wednesday, April 17, 2016 is “Firefly.”

About This Song

Today’s song was written in 1958 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh 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 recorded “Firefly” twice in 1958: once as a single with an arrangement by Ray Ellis and again with the Count Basie Orchestra. It’s the second recording that I’m featuring today. It’s a short listen … just a little over a minute and a half, and every note is a delight. You’ll find this recording on In Person! The arrangement is by Ralph Sharon.

Firefly

Listen to Firefly on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1959


“Firefly,” as well as In Person!, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Baby Dream Your Dream

The song of the day for Sunday, August 14, 2016 is “Baby Dream Your Dream.”

About This Song

“Baby, Dream Your Dream” was one of the hit songs from the very successful Cy Coleman – Dorothy Fields 1966 musical Sweet Charity, directed by Bob Fosse and starring Gwen Verdon. “Baby, Dream Your Dream” was sung by Helen Gallagher and Thelma Oliver.

About This Version

Ton Bennett recorded “Baby Dream Your Dream” in 1965 and released it as a single in 1996. He also included it in his 1967 album For Once In My Life. The arrangement is Johnny Mandel.

Baby, Dream Your Dream

Listen to Baby, Dream Your Dream on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1967


“Baby Dream Your Dream,” as well as For Once In My Life, is available from iTunes.