The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Indian Summer

The song of the day for Thursday, October 5, 2023, is “Indian Summer.”

About This Song

“Indian Summer” was composed by Victor Herbert in 1919. However, “Indian Summer” did not become a hit until bands picked it up in the early 1940s (this may have coincided with the addition of the lyrics by Al Dubin in 1939). Frank Sinatra recorded with Tommy Dorsey in 1940. Other recordings include those by Gene Krupa, Glenn Miller, Sidney Bechet, and Sarah Vaughan.

About This Version

Tony Bennet recorded “Indian Summer” in June 1992 for Bennett’s tribute album to Frank Sinatra, Perfectly Frank. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Indian Summer,” 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 Tuesday, August 8, 2023, is “Night and Day.”

About This Song

Cole Porter wrote “Night and Day” for the 1932 musical Gay Divorce, which 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 album of songs associated with Frank Sinatra: Perfectly Frank. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

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

Here’s Sinatra’s recording of “Night and Day”

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Song of the Day: I’ll Be Seeing You

The song of the day for Friday, June 2, 2023, is “I’ll Be Seeing You.”

About This Song

“I’ll Be Seeing You” was written in 1938 by Sammy Fain and Irving Kahal. This song grew to its fame during World War II, when it became something of an anthem for soldiers serving overseas and the loved ones left at home. It’s been recorded by Billie Holiday, Al Hirt, Lisa Minelli, Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, and Willie Nelson.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’ll Be Seeing You” in June 1992 for his album dedicated to Frank Sinatra: Perfectly Frank. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

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

“I’ll Be Seeing You,” as well as Perfectly Frank is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Sinatra’s recording of “I’ll Be Seeing You” with Tommy Dorsey, recorded in 1940:

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Song of the Day: One for My Baby (And One More for the Road)

The song of the day for Tuesday, December 13, 2022, is “One for My Baby (And One More for the Road).”

About This Song

“One for My Baby (And One More for the Road)” was written by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer for the 1943 film The Sky’s The Limit, where it was introduced by Fred Astaire. Harold Arlen called this song one of his “tapeworms” as at 48 bars, it was longer than the standard 32-bar popular song. Alec Wilder, in American Popular Song, says

The honors must go the lyric. … Just imagine having the acuity and courage to start a song, as Mercer does, with ‘It’s a quarter to three’!

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “One for My Baby (And One More for the Road)” in June 1992 and was released that year on Perfectly Frank. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

“One for My Baby (And One More for the Road),” as well as Perfectly Frank is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Frank Sinatra’s legendary 1958 recording of “One for My Baby (And One More for the Road)” with the great Nelson Riddle arrangement from Frank Sinatra Sings for Only The Lonely:

We’ve also got Fred Astaire performing “One for My Baby (And One More for the Road)” from the 1943 movie The Sky’s the Limit:

And if you’re still with us, Sinatra sang today’s song on an unknown live television program:

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Song of the Day: I See Your Face Before Me

The song of the day for Saturday, December 10, 2022, is “I See Your Face Before Me.”

About This Song

“I See Your Face Before Me” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz for the 1937 Broadway musical Between The Devil, where it was introduced by Adele Dixon. Both Guy Lombardo and Glen Gray recorded the song in that time period. Later recordings include those by Frank Sinatra and Johnny Hartman. The Hartman version, recorded in 1980, was used in the soundtrack for the 1995 movie The Bridges of Madison County.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I See Your Face Before Me” in June 1992 and was released that year on Perfectly Frank. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

“I See Your Face Before Me,” as well as Perfectly Frank is available on Apple Music.

Frank Sinatra recorded “I See Your Face Before Me” for his 1955 album In The Wee Small Hours:

And the Johnny Hartman 1980 recording. I swooned the first time I heard it. It’s magnificent!

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