The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: I Wished on the Moon

The song of the day for Saturday, March 1, 2025, is “I Wished on the Moon.”

About This Song

“I Wished on the Moon” was written in 1935 by Ralph Rainger and Dorothy Parker (yes, that Dorothy Parker). The song was first recorded in 1935 by Ruth Etting. Bing Crosby sang it in The Big Broadcast of 1936. Other recordings include those by Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Mel Tormé, Billie Holiday, Art Pepper, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Wished on the Moon” in June 1992 for Perfectly Frank. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

Perfectly Frank won the 1992 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“I Wished on the Moon,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I Wished On The Moon

The song of the day for Sunday, June 16, 2024, is “I Wished On The Moon.”

About This Song

“I Wished On The Moon” was written in 1935 by Ralph Rainger and Dorothy Parker (yes, that Dorothy Parker). This song was first recorded in 1935 by Ruth Etting. Bing Crosby sang in The Big Broadcast of 1936. Other recordings include those by Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Mel Tormé, Billie Holiday, Art Pepper, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Wished On The Moon” in June 1996 for Tony Bennett On Holiday, released in 1997. It was arranged by Jorge Calandrelli.

Tony Bennett On Holiday won the 1998 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Performance.

“I Wished On The Moon,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available on Apple Music.

We’ve got Billie Holiday’s 1995 recording of “I Wished On The Moon.” She sings the seldom-heard verse, as did Tony Bennett on his recording:

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Song of the Day: I Wished On The Moon

The song of the day for Wednesday, April 6, 2022, is “I Wished On The Moon.”

About This Song

“I Wished On The Moon” was written in 1935 by Ralph Rainger and Dorothy Parker (yes, that Dorothy Parker). It was first recorded in 1935 by Ruth Etting. Bing Crosby sang it in The Big Broadcast of 1936. Other recordings include those by Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Mel Tormé, Billie Holiday, Art Pepper, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Wished On The Moon” in 1996 for his tribute album to Billie Holiday: Tony Bennett On Holiday. The picture of Holiday was painted by Bennett.

“I Wished On The Moon,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Billie Holiday’s recording of “I Wished On The Moon.”

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Song of the Day: I Wished on the Moon

The song of the day for Saturday, June 8, 2019, is “I Wished on the Moon.”

About This Song

Written by Ralph Rainger and Dorothy Parker (yes, that Dorothy Parker), this song was first recorded in 1935 by Ruth Etting. Bing Crosby sang in The Big Broadcast of 1936. Other recordings include those by Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Mel Tormé, Billie Holiday, Art Pepper, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Wished on the Moon” in June 1996 for his 1997 album Bennett On Holiday: A Tribute to Billie Holiday.

I Wished on the Moon

I Wished on the Moon, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“I Wished on the Moon,” as well as Bennett on Holiday, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: I Wished on the Moon

The song of the day for Friday, November 11, 2017 is “I Wished on the Moon.”

About This Song

“I Wished on the Moon” was written in 1935 by Ralph Rainger, with lyrics by Dorothy Parker (yes, that Dorothy Parker). This song was first recorded in 1935 by Ruth Etting. Bing Crosby sang in The Big Broadcast of 1936. Other recordings include those by Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Mel Tormé, Billie Holiday, Art Pepper and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Wished on the Moon” in 1992 for album of songs associated with Frank Sinatra: Perfectly Frank.

I Wished On the Moon

Listen to I Wished On the Moon on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1992


“I Wished on the Moon,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Today’s video features Tony Bennett as a guest on the Jimmy Fallon show from last year, where he talks about Frank Sinatra.