The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: September Song

The song of the day for Monday, September 25, 2023, is “September Song.”

About This Song

“September Song” was written by Kirt Weill and Maxwell Anderson for the Broadway musical Knickerbocker Holiday, which opened in 1938 starring Walter Huston. Huston had requested a solo song in the production, so Weill and Anderson wrote “September Song” with careful attention to Huston’s limited singing skills. In spite of a limited range, the poignant quality of the lyrics and the charming tune make for a quite pleasant song that has found great popularity among singers, including Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and even Lou Reed.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “September Song” on November 11, 1959, for his album To My Wonderful One, released in 1960. It was arranged and conducted by Frank Devol.

“September Song,” as well as To My Wonderful One, is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Out Of This World

The song of the day for Saturday, May 6, 2023, is “Out Of This World.”

About This Song

“Out Of This World” was written by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer for the 1945 movie of the same name. Out Of This World starred Eddie Bracken; however Bing Crosby dubbed the vocals for Bracken and introduced the song. Alec Wilder was a fan of this song, praising its ethereal quality and the excellent lyrics by Mercer.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Out Of This World” on March 1, 1960, for his album Alone Together. Frank DeVol wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Out Of This World,” as well as Alone Together is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Put On A Happy Face

The song of the day for Monday, August 15. 2022, is “Put On A Happy Face.”

About This Song

“Put on A Happy Face” was written by Charles Strouse and Lee Adams for the 1960 musical Bye, Bye Birdie, based loosely on the story of Elvis Presley being drafted into the Army in 1957.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Put On A Happy Face” on May 6, 1960, with an arrangement by Frank Devol. It was released as a single in 1960 and was added to Bennett’s 1962 compilation of Broadway songs he recorded between 1953 and 1961: Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits.

“Put On A Happy Face” as well as Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Out Of This World

The song of the day for Saturday, August 13, 2022, is “Out Of This World.”

About This Song

“Out Of This World” was written by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer for the 1945 movie of the same name. Out Of This World starred Eddie Bracken; however Bing Crosby dubbed the vocals for Bracken and introduced the song. Alec Wilder was a fan of this song, praising its ethereal quality and the excellent lyrics by Mercer.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Out Of This World” on March 1, 1960; the recording was released in 1960 on the album Alone Together. Frank Devol wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Out Of This World,” as well as Alone Together, is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Laura

The song of the day for Wednesday, August 10, 2022, is “Laura.”

About This Song

“Laura” was written by David Raksin and Johnny Mercer for the 1944 film of the same name, starring Gene Tierney and Dana Andrews. David Raksin was known as a film composer (he also wrote the title song for The Bad and the Beautiful, which is included on the Bill Evans-Tony Bennett album Together Again); his compositions are often jazz standards. “Laura” has been recorded many times, by both singers and instrumentalists.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Laura” on November 10, 1959, for the 1960 album To My Wonderful One. It was arranged by Frank DeVol.

“Laura,” as well as To- My Wonderful One is available on Apple Music.

Subscribe to The Year of Tony Bennett

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Current Reader Favorites