The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Last Night When We Were Young

The song of the day for Tuesday, December 6, 2022, is “Last Night When We Were Young.”

About This Song

“Last Night When We Were Young” was written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg in 1936. 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.”

Overall, it’s a wonderful and introspective song that is much beloved by singers. Frank Sinatra included it on his superb 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 When We Were Young” in June 1992 and was released that year on Perfectly Frank. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

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

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Song of the Day: In The Wee Small Hours

The song of the day for Friday, September 16, 2022, is “In The Wee Small Hours.”

About This Song

“In The Wee Small Hours” was written by David Mann and Bob Hilliard. 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 lyric.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “In The Wee Small Hours” on February 26, 1964, featuring an arrangement by Ralph Sharon. It was released in 1966 on the album A Time To Love.

“In The Wee Small Hours,” as well as A Time For Love is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: In The Wee Small Hours

The song of the day for Wednesday, July 7, 2021, is “In The Wee Small Hours.”

About This Song

“In The Wee Small Hours” was written in 1955 by David Mann and Bob Hilliard. 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 lyric.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “In The Wee Small Hours” in 1964, featuring a very fine arrangement by Ralph Sharon, who accompanied Bennett, along with Hal Gaylord on bass and Billy Exiner on drums. The recording was released on the 1966 album A Time For Love.

In The Wee Small Hours

Listen to In The Wee Small Hours on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1966

“In The Wee Small Hours,” as well as A Time For Love is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: East of the Sun (West of the Moon)

The song of the day for Monday, April 19, 2021, is “East of the Sun (West of the Moon).”

About This Song

Brooks Bowman wrote “East of the Sun” in 1934 while a student at Princeton University for a student musical production called Stags at Bay, produced by the Princeton Triangle Club. The song had great reception and was noted by Princeton alumnus F. Scott Fitzgerald. After his graduation from college in 1936, he worked briefly in Hollywood for the film industry, but decided to return to the East Coast. He was about to start a contract with a New York music publisher when he was killed in an automobile accident in 1937.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “East of the Sun (West of the Moon)” in 1992 for the album Perfectly Frank, consisting of songs associated with Frank Sinatra. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

East of the Sun (West of the Moon)

Listen to East of the Sun (West of the Moon) on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1992

“East of the Sun (West of the Moon),” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I’m A Fool To Want You

The song of the day for Saturday, February 27, 2021, is “I’m A Fool To Want You.”

About This Song

“I’m A Fool To Want You” was written in 1951 by Joel S. Herron, Frank Sinatra, and Jack Wolf. Though Frank Sinatra was one of songwriters and sung it as well, “I’m a Fool to Want You” may be most identified with Billie Holiday, who recorded it 1958 for her album Lady in Satin.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’m A Fool To Want You” for his 1960 album To My Wonderful One. It was arranged and conducted by Frank DeVol.

I"m A Fool To Want You

Listen to I"m A Fool To Want You on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1960

“I’m A Fool To Want You,” as well as To My Wonderful One, is available from Apple Music.