The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: I Fall In Love Too Easily

The song of the day for Thursday, September 28, 2020, is “I Fall In Love Too Easily.”

About This Song

“I Fall in Love Too Easily” was written in 1944 by Jule Styne, with lyrics by Sammy Cahn. It was written for the 1945 movie Anchors Away, where it was introduced by Frank Sinatra. It nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song but lost to “It Might As Well Be Spring” by Rodgers and Hammerstein. It is a well-respected jazz standard, with recordings by Miles Davis, Chet Baker, Anita O’Day, and Johnny Hartman.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Fall in Love Too Easily” in 1954 for his album Cloud 7. Chuck Wayne wrote the arrangement.

“I Fall In Love Too Easily,” as well as Cloud 7, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Time After Time

The song of the day for Friday, January 17, 2020, is “Time After Time.”

About This Song

“Time After Time” was written by Jule Styne and Sammy Kahn in 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. In his fine book The Jazz Standards, Al Gioia quotes Jule Styne as saying “It’s a man’s song — ‘Time After Time.’ When a woman sings it, it is drained of all its power, so to speak. The girls can’t do it.” Well, tell that to Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Carmen McRae, Anita O’Day, and Cyndi Lauper all of whom have made fine recordings of “Time After Time.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Time After Time” in 1992 for his tribute album to Frank Sinatra: Perfectly Frank. Ralph Sharon did the arrangement.

“Time After Time,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: I’ll Be Seeing You

The song of the day for Saturday, July 13, 2019, is “I’ll Be Seeing You.”

About This Song

“I’ll Be Seeing You,” written in 1938 by Sammy Fain and Irving Kahal, 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, Rosemary Clooney, and Willie Nelson.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’ll Be Seeing You” in 1992 for his album of songs sung by Frank Sinatra: Perfectly Frank. The album won the 1992 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

I’ll Be Seeing You

I’ll Be Seeing You, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“I’ll Be Seeing You,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Last Night When We Were Young

The song of the day for Saturday, April 27, 2019, 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” 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, pictured here with Harold Arlen, 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.”
Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg
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 first recorded “Last Night When We Were Young” in 1959 album To My Wonderful One, with an arrangement by Frank DeVol. Today, however, I’m featuring Bennett’s 1992 recording for the album Perfectly Frank, arranged by Ralph Sharon. In an unguarded moment, I once said that Tony Bennett sings Frank Sinatra better than Frank Sinatra and I still believe that, as far as this album of songs associated with Frank Sinatra is concerned.

Last Night When We Were Young

Last Night When We Were Young, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“Last Night When We Were Young,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: In the Wee Small Hours

The song of the day for Wednesday, December 12, 2018, is “In the Wee Small Hours.”

Today we are celebrating the great singer Frank Sinatra, who was born 103 years ago on December 12, 1915.

About This Song

“In the Wee Small Hours” was written by David Mann and Bob Hilliard in 1955. This song is, of course, widely identified with Frank Sinatra, who anchored his well-received concept album In the Wee Small Hours around this song. Interestingly, the song almost didn’t get written. The two songwriters were working in Hilliard’s home in New Jersey. It was well past midnight and Mann was getting ready to leave for home in New York. Hilliard urged him to stay and Mann came up with the tune, to which Hilliard quickly wrote the lyrics.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “In the Wee Small Hours” in 1964; it was released in 1966 on the album A Time For Love.

In The Wee Small Hours – 2011 Remaster

In The Wee Small Hours – 2011 Remaster, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“In the Wee Small Hours,” as well as A Time For Love, is available from iTunes.

And, in honor of Frank Sinatra, here’s the first recording from his 1955 album In the Wee Small Hours.

In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning

In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning, a song by Frank Sinatra on Spotify

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