The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: For Once In My Life

The song of the day for Tuesday, April 15, 2025, is “For Once In My Life.”

About This Song

“For Once In My Life” was written by Ron Miller and Orlando Murden for the Motown Records’ Jobete publishing company. This song not only found success as a Motown song, with recordings by Stevie Wonder and Jean duShon, but also as a popular standard, starting with Tony Bennett’s recording in 1967. Thanks to Tony Bennett’s recording of the song, it’s been sung by other popular and jazz singers such as Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “For Once In My Life” on July 18, 1967, for the album For Once In My Life. Torrie Zito wrote the arrangement.

“For Once In My Life,” as well as For Once In My Life, is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Sometimes I’m Happy

The song of the day for Sunday, March 16, 2025, is “Sometimes I’m Happy.”

About This Song

“Sometimes I’m Happy” was written by Vincent Youmans, with lyrics by Leo Robin, Clifford Grey, and Irving Caesar for the 1927 Broadway musical Hit The Deck. It found early favor as a popular song with numerous recordings in 1927. It has also proven a durable standard, with recordings by Tony Bennett, Dave Brubeck and Paul Desmond, Betty Carter, Bing Crosby, and Billie Holiday, among many others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Sometimes I’m Happy” nn September 1, 1967, for his album For Once In My Life. Marion Evans wrote the arrangement and arranged the orchestra. The orchestra consisted of some of the top jazz musicians at the time, including Milt Hinton on bass and Bucky Pizzarelli on guitar.

“Sometimes I’m Happy,” as well as For Once In My Life, is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Baby, Dream Your Dream

The song of the day for Friday, January 3, 2025, is “Baby, Dream Your Dream.”

About Today

For 2025, I’ll be honoring the lyricists who wrote the wonderful words for the songs we all love. This idea started when I ran across this anecdote over the holidays:

The division of credit between music composers and lyricists can be controversial. Some lyricists believe that their songwriting skills are not given adequate respect. One vivid anecdote revealed the unhappiness of Dorothy Hammerstein who was the wife of the prominent Broadway song creator Oscar Hammerstein II.

During an extravagant New York gala Dorothy overheard a man effusively praising the song “Ol’ Man River.” The man’s remarks concluded with acclaim for the genius of Jerome Kern. Dorothy stepped forward and responded energetically: Jerome Kern wrote ‘dum, dum, dum-dum’. My husband wrote “Ol’ Man River”.

We’re starting out with the great Dorothy Fields.

About This Song

“Baby, Dream Your Dream” was written by Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields for the 1966 musical Sweet Charity, directed by Bob Fosse and starring Gwen Verdon.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Baby, Dream Your Dream” on December 14, 1965, for his album For Once In My Life, released in 1967. David Rose wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Baby, Dream Your Dream,” as well as For Once In My Life, is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: They Can’t Take That Away From Me

The song of the day for Friday, November 8, 2024, is “They Can’t Take That Away From Me.”

About This Song

“They Can’t Take That Away From Me” was written by George and Ira Gershwin for the 1937 Fred Astaire–Ginger Rodgers movie Shall We Dance. Unlike most songs Astaire introduced in his films, no dance number was associated with “They Can’t Take That Away From Me.” It is one of the Gershwin’s finest love songs. George Gershwin died just two months after this film was released.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “They Can’t Take That Away From Me” on October 16, 1967, for the album For Once In My Life. Torrie Zito wrote the arrangement.

“They Can’t Take That Away From Me,” as well as For Once In My Life, is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: For Once In My Life

The song of the day for Sunday, September 15, 2024, is “For Once In My Life.”

About This Song

“For Once In My Life” was written in 1967 by Ron Miller and Orlando Murden for the Motown Record’s Jobete publishing company. This song not only found success as a Motown song, with recordings by Stevie Wonder and Jean duShon but also as a popular standard, starting with Tony Bennett’s recording in 1967. Thanks to Tony Bennett’s recording of the song, it’s been sung by other singers such as Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “For Once In My Life” on July 18, 1967, for his album For Once In My Life. Torrie Zito wrote the arrangement.

“For Once In My Life,” as well as For Once In My Life, is available on Apple Music.