The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: I Thought About You

The song of the day for Monday, March 24, 2025, is “I Thought About You.”

About This Song

“I Thought About You” was written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Mercer in 1939. In his biography Portrait of Johnny: The Life of John Herndon Mercer, author Gene Lees quotes Mercer about this song: ‘I can remember the afternoon that we wrote it. He [Van Heusen] played me the melody. I didn’t have any idea, but I had to go to Chicago that night. I think I was on the Benny Goodman program. And I got to thinking about it on the train. I was awake, I couldn’t sleep. The tune was running through my mind, and that’s when I wrote the song. On the train, really going to Chicago.’ “I Thought About You” proved quite popular and has been recorded many times by jazz performers including Miles Davis, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Johnny Hartman, Shirley Horn, Dinah Washington, and Mel Tormé.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Thought About You” in June 1922 for his tribute album to Frank Sinatra: Perfectly Frank.
For this album, Bennett was accompanied by The Ralph Sharon Trio, featuring Sharon on piano, Paul Langosch on bass, and Joe LaBarbera on drums.

“I Thought About You,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available on Apple Music.

Frank Sinatra recorded “I Thought About You” for his 1956 album Songs for Swingin’ Lovers.

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Song of the Day: Time After Time

The song of the day for Wednesday, February 5, 2025, is “Time After Time.”

About This Song

“Time After Time” was written by Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn for the 1947 for the movie It Happened in Brooklyn. The song was introduced by Frank Sinatra and was a major hit for him. This song has been widely recorded by many artists, including Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Chet Baker, and Anita O’Day.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Time After Time” in June 1992 for his album Perfectly Frank, featuring an arrangement by Ralph Sharon. He was accompanied by the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Sharon on piano, Paul Langosch on bass, and Joe LaBarbera on drums.

“Time After Time,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available on Apple Music.

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

Here’s Frank Sinatra’s recording from 1947:

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Song of the Day: Last Night When We Were Young

The song of the day for Thursday, December 26, 2024, is “Last Night When We Were Young.”

About This Song

“Last Night When We Were Young” was written in 1935 by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg. Arlen considered “Last Night When We Were Young” one of his favorite songs. In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder calls it a “most remarkable and beautiful song … (that) goes far beyond the boundaries of popular music.” Yip Harburg has said that he doesn’t know exactly where the title came from but that “the juxtaposition of those two phrases is almost a whole world of philosophy.” All in all, it’s a gorgeous and introspective song that is much beloved by singers. Frank Sinatra included it In The Wee Small Hours. It has also been recorded by Judy Garland, Mel Tormé, Carmen McRae, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Last Night When We Were Young” in June 1992 for his album Perfectly Frank. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Last Night When We Were Young,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Night and Day

The song of the day for Sunday, December 8, 2024, is “Night and Day.”

About This Song

Cole Porter wrote “Night and Day” for the 1932 musical Gay Divorce, where it was introduced by Fred Astaire. The song became and still is quite popular and certainly a standard in the American songbook. Significant recordings include those by Art Tatum, Bill Evans, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Charlie Parker, Ella Fitzgerald, and Django Reinhardt.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Night and Day” in June 1992 for his tribute album to Frank Sinatra: Perfectly Frank. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

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

“Night and Day,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Last Night While We Were Young

The song of the day for Wednesday, September 18, 2024, is “Last Night While We Were Young.”

About This Song

“Last Night While We Were Young” was written in 1935 by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg. Arlen considered “Last Night When We Were Young” to be one of his favorite songs. In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder calls it a “most remarkable and beautiful song … (that) goes far beyond the boundaries of popular music.” Yip Harburg has said that he doesn’t know exactly where the title came from but that “the juxtaposition of those two phrases is almost a whole world of philosophy.” All in all, it’s a very beautiful and introspective song that is much beloved by singers. Frank Sinatra included on his wonderful album In The Wee Small Hours. It has also been recorded by Judy Garland, Mel Tormé, Carmen McRae, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Last Night While We Were Young” in June 1992 for his album in tribute to Frank Sinatra, Perfectly Frank. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Last Night While We Were Young,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available on Apple Music.